Is Maui or Saint Lucia cheaper?

Saint Lucia is cheaper on average. A mid-range day in Maui costs about $280 vs $200 in Saint Lucia, so Saint Lucia saves you roughly $80 per day compared to Maui.

Is Maui or Saint Lucia safer?

Maui scores higher on our safety index (88/100 vs 72/100). Maui is generally very safe for visitors.

How do daily costs in Maui and Saint Lucia compare?

In Maui: budget ~$150-220/day, mid-range ~$300-500/day, luxury ~$800+/day. In Saint Lucia: budget ~$80–130/day, mid-range ~$200–350/day, luxury ~$600+/day.

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Maui vs Saint Lucia

Q: Which has better weather, Maui or Saint Lucia?

Maui has the more temperate climate year-round. Maui has a tropical climate with two distinct sides: the leeward (west and south) coasts are sunny and dry nearly year-round, while the windward (north and east) coasts and Hana receive abundant rain from northeast trade winds. Haleakala summit can be cold and windy at any time of year — bring layers. Hurricane season runs June through November but direct hits are rare. Trade winds keep coastal temperatures pleasant even in summer.

Which destination is right for your next trip?

🏆 Maui wins 74 OVR vs 73 · attribute matchup 3–2

Maui

United States

74OVR

Saint Lucia

73OVR

Safety

Affordability

Food

Culture

Nightlife

Walkability

Nature

Connectivity

Transit

Maui Guide →Saint Lucia Guide →

Maui

United States

Saint Lucia

Maui

Safety: 88/100Pop: 165K (island)Pacific/Honolulu

Saint Lucia

Safety: 72/100Pop: 180KAmerica/St_Lucia

💰 Budget

budget

Maui: $150-220Saint Lucia: $80–130

mid-range

Maui: $300-500Saint Lucia: $200–350

luxury

Maui: $800+Saint Lucia: $600+

🛡️ Safety

Maui80/100✓Safety Score72/100Saint Lucia

Maui

Maui is generally very safe for visitors. Petty theft from rental cars at trailheads is the most common crime affecting tourists — never leave valuables visible. Ocean hazards including rip currents, shore break, and high surf cause more tourist injuries than crime. The Road to Hana requires attentive slow driving. Visitors to areas near Lahaina should be respectful of the community's ongoing recovery from the 2023 wildfire.

Saint Lucia

St. Lucia is a safe tourist destination in resort and tourist areas. Petty theft occurs on beaches. Castries and some areas of Gros Islet require awareness. The tourist infrastructure is generally well-managed.

⭐ Ratings

Maui5/5English Friendly5/5Saint Lucia

Maui2/5Walkability2/5Saint Lucia

Maui1/5Public Transit✓2/5Saint Lucia

Maui4/5Food Scene4/5Saint Lucia

Maui3/5Nightlife3/5Saint Lucia

Maui3/5Cultural Sites3/5Saint Lucia

Maui5/5Nature Access5/5Saint Lucia

Maui4/5✓WiFi Reliability3/5Saint Lucia

🌤️ Weather

Maui

Maui has a tropical climate with two distinct sides: the leeward (west and south) coasts are sunny and dry nearly year-round, while the windward (north and east) coasts and Hana receive abundant rain from northeast trade winds. Haleakala summit can be cold and windy at any time of year — bring layers. Hurricane season runs June through November but direct hits are rare. Trade winds keep coastal temperatures pleasant even in summer.

Spring (March - May)22-29°C

Summer (June - August)25-32°C

Autumn (September - October)24-31°C

Winter (November - February)20-28°C

Saint Lucia

Tropical climate. The dry season (January–April) is the most popular. The wet season (June–November) includes hurricane risk (peak August–October) but also lush green landscapes and good diving visibility.

Dry Season (Jan–Apr)27–30°C

Shoulder (May–Jun)28–31°C

Wet Season (Jul–Nov)29–32°C

Transition (Dec)27–30°C

🚇 Getting Around

Maui

A rental car is essentially mandatory for exploring Maui beyond resort areas. The Road to Hana, Haleakala National Park, Upcountry Maui, and most beaches are inaccessible without one. Book well in advance — rental car availability is limited and prices spike during peak season. Maui Bus provides limited public transit but has significant gaps in coverage.

Walkability: Maui is not a walkable destination by design. Wailea resort area has a paved beachfront path connecting several hotels and beaches. Parts of Kihei along South Kihei Road are pedestrian-friendly. Downtown Lahaina (pre-fire) was walkable within the historic district. Outside these pockets, walking between destinations is impractical — distances are long and sidewalks are sparse.

Rental Car — $80-150/day plus taxes and fees; gas adds $30-60/day

Maui Bus (Public Transit) — Free (as of 2024)

Lyft & Uber — $15-40 for typical town-to-town trips; airport to Kaanapali $60-90

Saint Lucia

The island has no public rail. Taxis are fixed-rate from the tourist board. Minibuses are cheap but basic. Water taxis are the scenic way to travel between coastal points.

Walkability: Limited walkability outside resort areas; most attractions require transport; Soufrière village itself is walkable

Taxi — $20–75 USD

Minibus — $1–3 USD

Water Taxi — $20–40 USD

The Verdict

Choose Maui if...

you want Hawaii's magazine-cover island — the Road to Hana, Haleakalā sunrise, Molokini snorkeling, winter whales, and Kāʻanapali-Wailea-Kīhei resort coasts

Choose Saint Lucia if...

you want the Caribbean's most dramatic island — UNESCO twin Pitons, the world's only drive-in volcano, Anse Chastanet coral reef snorkeling, and the Friday night Gros Islet jump-up that locals rule

Maui

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Saint Lucia

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