A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Croix vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge? 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Croix and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.

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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Croix is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 29°C (83°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In July, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Croix during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint Croix is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. Saint Croix usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Croix is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Croix in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Columbia River Gorge receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Croix usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Croix or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Columbia River Gorge. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In April, Saint Croix is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 27°C (80°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Saint Croix usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Saint Croix