Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Sarasota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sarasota or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Saint Croix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Sarasota or Saint Croix?
Sarasota
Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySarasota $249Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Sarasota is $249, 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 Sarasota and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSarasota $108Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSarasota $216Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Sarasota and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Sarasota 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: Sarasota Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sarasota -Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota
Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
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 Sarasota or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Sarasota 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 daySarasota $137Saint Croix $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarasota
For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sarasota Street Food Tour: $85
- Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
- Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165
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.Sarasota $11Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Sarasota
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.
- Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
- Palmetto: Haunted History Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Robinson Preserve Nature Walk Eco Tour: $40
- Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $50
- Adventure and Wildlife Watch Kayak Rentals in Sarasota: $50
- Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $55
- 2 Hours Guided Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
- Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
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 daySarasota -Saint Croix $27
When comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and Saint Croix, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sarasota is in North America and Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarasota Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sarasota or Saint Croix?
Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Sarasota is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) 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 JulySarasota 82°F (28°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Sarasota is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sarasota in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSarasota 76°F (24°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In January, Sarasota is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) 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 JanuarySarasota 59°F (15°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sarasota or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sarasota is cooler than Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSarasota 73°F (23°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Sarasota
| Sarasota | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 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.