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

Should you visit Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

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 Jacksonville. 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 posh, outdoorsy, and relaxed coastal city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Boca Raton and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Boca Raton. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is very popular for its big city activities, while Boca Raton attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Boca Raton is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Boca Raton different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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

Foodies will find both Boca Raton and Jacksonville 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, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Boca Raton and Jacksonville.

Many people head to Boca Raton for the nightlife scene. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

Jacksonville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Resorts?

Boca Raton is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

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.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

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

Boca Raton is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton is renowned for the beach. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Hiking?

Boca Raton is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

If you're looking to go shopping, Boca Raton and Jacksonville both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Boca Raton. 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.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Families?

Boca Raton is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

Boca Raton is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Boca Raton makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boca Raton is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Boca Raton is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's known for its upscale luxury, and you won't find much in the form of hostels or backpacker-friendly accommodation.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Boca Raton is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Boca Raton is not popular with students.

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

Boca Raton and Jacksonville both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Boca Raton offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Jacksonville has a few public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Boca Raton or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Boca Raton and Jacksonville are nice 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.

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Boca Raton?

How long in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boca Raton and Jacksonville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boca Raton than in Jacksonville. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 2-3 days is enough time in Jacksonville.

Families should spend more time in Boca Raton than Jacksonville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boca Raton, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boca Raton than Jacksonville. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Boca Raton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jacksonville.

One day in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

In Boca Raton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this luxurious coastal city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Jacksonville?

Boca Raton is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

In Boca Raton, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this outdoorsy destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

Boca Raton is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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 Jacksonville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton and Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville?

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 Boca Raton or Jacksonville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Jacksonville. The summer months attract visitors to Boca Raton because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In Boca Raton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during summer. Boca Raton gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Jacksonville. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Boca Raton is a little warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boca Raton in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Jacksonville averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boca Raton this time of the year. In the autumn, Boca Raton often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 214 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Boca Raton usually gets more rain in October than Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Boca Raton is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Jacksonville in the Winter?

Both Jacksonville and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Boca Raton is generally much warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 65°F (19°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during winter. Boca Raton gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Boca Raton usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Boca Raton or Jacksonville in the Spring?

Both Jacksonville and Boca Raton during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Boca Raton is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the spring. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boca Raton. In the spring, Boca Raton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 285 hours of full sun.

Boca Raton usually gets more rain in April than Jacksonville. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Boca Raton. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Boca Raton