Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Saint Croix, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Saint Croix?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Punta del Este and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Saint Croix? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Punta del Este change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPunta del Este $31Saint Croix $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
- Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $127
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South America and Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix?
Punta del Este has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Punta del Este during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In January, Punta del Este is generally cooler than Saint Croixin July. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croixin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Saint Croixin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In the winter, Punta del Este is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croixin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Saint Croixin April. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In October, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.