A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Big Pine Key vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Whistler?

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 Whistler. 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 Whistler?

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!

Whistler

Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.

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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Whistler, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Whistler.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Whistler and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Whistler and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Whistler.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Whistler. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Big Pine Key