A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Boca Raton vs. Clearwater for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Boca Raton or Clearwater?

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 Boca Raton and Clearwater. 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.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a luxurious, posh, and outdoorsy coastal city. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a adventure-filled, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Boca Raton and Clearwater: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boca Raton than Clearwater. While Clearwater is larger than Boca Raton, Boca Raton has more sights and attractions for tourists. Clearwater is more touristy than Boca Raton and is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. Boca Raton is well known for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. Also, Boca Raton is famous for Red Reef Park.

How is Boca Raton different from Clearwater?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Clearwater and Boca Raton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Clearwater and Boca Raton.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Boca Raton. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.

Clearwater offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Is the Food Better in Boca Raton or Clearwater? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Boca Raton and Clearwater both to be excellent destinations.

Boca Raton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Clearwater makes for a great culinary experience. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Nightlife?

Boca Raton is notable for nightlife. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Boca Raton has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Resorts?

There are excellent resorts to choose from in both Boca Raton and Clearwater.

There are plenty of resorts in Boca Raton to choose from. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.

Clearwater is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find notable places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Boca Raton and Clearwater.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Boca Raton. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.

Clearwater has a few good snorkeling spots. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton and Clearwater both offer terrific beaches.

Boca Raton offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Clearwater. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Hiking?

Boca Raton is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Boca Raton offers some nice hiking trails. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.

Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

Boca Raton is notable for shopping. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Boca Raton is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Clearwater. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Families?

Both Boca Raton and Clearwater are excellent family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Boca Raton. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.

Clearwater is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Couples?

Boca Raton and Clearwater both excellent destinations for a couple.

Boca Raton is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.

Clearwater is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boca Raton is a good destination for its public transit. However, Clearwater is a mediocre coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Boca Raton has a few public transit options. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Is Boca Raton or Clearwater a more walkable city?

Boca Raton and Clearwater are notable when it comes to walkability.

Boca Raton is a somewhat walkable coastal city. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.

Clearwater is somewhat walkable. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Boca Raton Worth Visiting? and Is Clearwater Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Clearwater or Boca Raton?

How long in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

In either Boca Raton or Clearwater, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boca Raton has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Boca Raton than Clearwater. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Boca Raton than Clearwater. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boca Raton that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the luxurious coastal city of Boca Raton, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful coastal city of Clearwater, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Boca Raton, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Clearwater, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

Boca Raton, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Clearwater, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Boca Raton or Clearwater?

Boca Raton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Clearwater is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Boca Raton and Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater 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 Boca Raton Expensive? and Is Clearwater Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Clearwater?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton and Clearwater, 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 Boca Raton or Clearwater?

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 Boca Raton or Clearwater in the Summer?

Both Clearwater and Boca Raton during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Boca Raton because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.

In the summer, Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Clearwater. Typically, the summer temperatures in Boca Raton in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Clearwater averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boca Raton. In the summer, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 265 hours of full sun.

Clearwater gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually gets less rain in July than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Clearwater in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Clearwater. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Clearwater for the shopping scene.

In October, Boca Raton is generally around the same temperature as Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 78°F (25°C), and Clearwater fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In Boca Raton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Clearwater during autumn. Boca Raton gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Boca Raton. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Clearwater in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Clearwater. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Clearwater in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Boca Raton is a little warmer than Clearwater in the winter. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and Clearwater fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boca Raton this time of the year. In the winter, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 200 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton usually gets more rain in January than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Clearwater in the Spring?

Both Clearwater and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Clearwater. Typically, the spring temperatures in Boca Raton in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Clearwater averages at about 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Clearwater. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Clearwater during spring. Boca Raton gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Boca Raton is the hurricane season. June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Clearwater and Boca Raton