Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Saint Croix can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Saint Croix?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- 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 Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
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.Tulum $32Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Saint Croix?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croix. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Saint Croix. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Saint Croix. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Tulum
| Tulum | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.