If you're a budget traveler, you can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and some activities. On the other hand, if you're a mid-range traveler, you can expect to spend around $150 to $250 per day.
In general, a 3-day & 2-night Bahamas trip cost around $800 for one person. For a family of four, the average Bahamas trip cost is about $630 per day. Overall, the total budget for a week's trip should be around $5500, considering the flight, transport, food, entertainment and souvenirs??.
But going on vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands is more expensive than going on vacation in Puerto Rico. You will pay from 50 to 70 percent more for food, transportation, and lodging in The USVI than what you will pay for the same services in Puerto Rico.
1. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Welcome to the largest of the U.S. territories, my favorite U.S. territory. Holding more people than all other territories combined, Puerto Rico (PR) also happens to be the cheapest territory for travelers, which makes it perfect for those who prefer spending more on adventures.
Thomas can be slightly less expensive overall than St.John. It's a bit easier to work within a budget on St. Thomas where you don't have to necessarily rent a car, you have different hotel tiers to choose from, and you have access to cheaper food options (in both restaurants and the larger grocery stores).
Accommodation options vary enormously, and include everything from simple B&Bs to swish seaside resorts. The group is made up of 50-odd islands and cays, but St Thomas — where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located — St John and St Croix are the most popular.
Passports for U.S.Citizens are NOT required for the U.S. Virgin Islands, but you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship upon leaving the territory (such as a government issued photo ID or your passport). Citizens of countries other than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations.
Although it's the largest of the three islands, St.Croix sees the fewest tourists, making it a great destination if you want a less commercialized Caribbean experience.
St.John has the best beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the best hiking in the whole archipelago. Accommodations range from beachfront campgrounds to high-end resorts. Laid-back Cruz Bay and Coral Bay provide an antidote to the outdoors with funky shops, hip restaurants, and buzzing bars.
When it comes to affordability, both islands are expensive, as are most in the Caribbean. But, Aruba is cheaper than the Bahamas. The Bahamas has a higher cost of living, compared to living in Aruba, which applies to everything – lodging, restaurants, and entertainment.
So, Why Are The Bahamas So Expensive? The Bahama's remote island location makes things harder to import and export. The Bahamas does not have an income tax, so they rely on sales tax or VAT to support infrastructure.