A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Sarasota for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Sarasota?

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 Sarasota. 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 Sarasota?

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!

Sarasota

Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Sarasota, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Big Pine Key.

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 Sarasota Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Sarasota?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota, 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 Sarasota?

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 Sarasota in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Sarasota. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Sarasota fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Sarasota during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Sarasota in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Sarasota. Also, many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Sarasota. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Sarasota averages at about 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 234 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Sarasota in the Winter?

Both Sarasota and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Sarasota during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Sarasota in the Spring?

Both Sarasota and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Sarasota in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Sarasota fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 299 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Sarasota. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Sarasota and Big Pine Key