Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach?
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 Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach. 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: Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Cocoa Beach $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $145. 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 Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Cocoa Beach $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach? 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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Cocoa Beach $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $224
- Private Transfer from Cocoa to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $287
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach?
Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Cocoa Beach $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
- 3 Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
- Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
- Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Cocoa Beach $16
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Historic Riverboat Shared Cruise in Cocoa City: $25
- 2 Hour Tiki Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Cocoa Beach: $65
- 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
- Bicycle Tours and Rentals Throughout the Space Coast: $50
- Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando: $75
- Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $70
- Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge: $80
- Bioluminescent Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Sit-On-Top Kayak Hybrid Tour!: $75
- Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville: $120
- Bioluminescent Kayak Tour by THE #1 Rated Company in Cocoa Beach: $65
- Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour: $85
- Clear Kayak Florida Bioluminescence Tour | Beacon 42 (Titusville): $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Cocoa Beach $20
When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach, we can see that Cocoa Beach 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Cocoa Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach in the Summer?
Both Cocoa Beach and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.
In the summer, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?
Both Cocoa Beach and Big Pine Key during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene.
In October, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Cocoa Beach. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Cocoa Beach. Also, many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Cocoa Beach. Also, most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 73°F (23°C).
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Cocoa Beach. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Cocoa Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
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.