Which place is cheaper, Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?
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 Santa Fe. 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 Santa Fe?
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!
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico as well as the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1607. It has become a popular travel destination due to the surrounding scenic beauty, its long history, cultural diversity especially with its proximity to American Indian pueblos and culture, and a rich concentration of arts, music, and food.
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 $144Santa Fe $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Santa Fe is $159. 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 Santa Fe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Santa Fe $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Santa Fe $162
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Santa Fe
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Santa Fe? 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: Santa Fe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Santa Fe $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe
Also for Santa Fe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Santa Fe Airport (SAF): $62
- New Mexico: Private Transfer from Santa Fe Regional Airport: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Santa Fe?
Prices for flights to both Santa Fe 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 $42Santa Fe $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe
For Santa Fe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Wander NM Food Tour - Tuesday Farmers' Market: $149
- New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $187
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Railyard Arts District: $189
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
- Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $209
- Santa Fe Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour: $213
- Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $234
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Santa Fe $17
Tours and Activities in Santa Fe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Fe.
- 2 Hours Historic E Bike Tour of Santa Fe: $169
- 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
- 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome!: $75
- A Walking Tour of Santa Fe's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites: $221
- Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour: $70
- Downtown Santa Fe Walking Wine, History, & Tapas Tour: $169
- Enchanted Eats of Santa Fe Half-Day Tour: $980
- Explore Santa Fe's Old Town & the Museum of Art: Private Tour: $180
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Santa Fe NM: $15
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $70
- Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $135
- Private Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour: $138
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Santa Fe $9.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:
- Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18
- Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: $135
When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Santa Fe, we can see that Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Santa Fe?
Santa Fe has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Santa Fe, 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.
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.