Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Saint Croix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Croix or Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Croix or Big Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint Croix or Big Sur?
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.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Croix $236Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Croix is $236, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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 Saint Croix and Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Croix $149Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Croix $298Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Saint Croix and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Saint Croix or Big Sur? 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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Croix $35Big Sur -
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: $218
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
- 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 Saint Croix or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur and Saint Croix 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 daySaint Croix $56Big Sur -
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.Saint Croix $58Big Sur -
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
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Croix $27Big Sur -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Croix and Big Sur, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur is in North America, 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Croix Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Big Sur?
Big Sur 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 Saint Croix or Big Sur in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Big Sur. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Croix is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Croix in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Saint Croix usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Croix 29°C (83°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Big Sur in the Autumn?
Both Big Sur and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Croix is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. In October, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Croix 28°C (82°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Big Sur in the Winter?
Both Big Sur and Saint Croix during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.
Saint Croix is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Saint Croix usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Croix 26°C (78°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Big Sur in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint Croix is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Croix in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).
In April, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Croix 27°C (80°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Saint Croix
| Saint Croix | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
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.