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

Should you visit Salvador or Saint Croix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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: Salvador or Saint Croix?

Salvador

Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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.

Hotels in Salvador


Hotels in Saint Croix


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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
  • Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $23
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
  • Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29

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
  • 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 Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Salvador 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salvador $13
    Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.

  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.84
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
  • Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:

  • Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
  • St Croix Island Tour: $100
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.37
  • Drinks
    $2.74


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Salvador or Saint Croix?

Salvador 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 Salvador or Saint Croix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croixin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Saint Croixin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Saint Croix in the Winter?

Both Saint Croix and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Salvador 24°C (75°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Saint Croix in the Spring?

Both Saint Croix and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In October, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croixin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croixin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Salvador

Salvador Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)