Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix? 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: Vang Vieng or Saint Croix?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $277. 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 Vang Vieng and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Saint Croix $97
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
- A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng River Kayaking Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix
Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Saint Croix. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Saint Croix. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.