A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cocoa Beach vs. Destin for Families, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Destin?

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 Cocoa Beach and Destin. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and adventurous beach town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Destin

Destin is a family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxing beach town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Cocoa Beach and Destin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach than Destin, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cocoa Beach is better known for its museums, food, and nightlife, while Destin is more popular for its resorts and impressive beauty. Cocoa Beach is well known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Also, Cocoa Beach is famous for the Kennedy Space Center. Destin is well known for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Destin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Cocoa Beach is notable for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Cocoa Beach specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Destin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cocoa Beach makes for a great culinary experience. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is very good for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Resorts?

Destin is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Destin to choose from. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Cocoa Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach and Destin both offer high quality beaches.

Many people visit Cocoa Beach for it's beautiful beaches. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Destin is considered a top beach destination. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Cocoa Beach and Destin.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Destin is a great destination for shopping. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular family destinations. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Destin is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is notable for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Cocoa Beach or Destin a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is very good for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Destin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Destin or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Both Cocoa Beach and Destin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Cocoa Beach. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 5-7 days is enough time in Destin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Destin 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cocoa Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful beach town of Destin. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Destin. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the family-friendly beach town of Destin. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Cocoa Beach. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the destination of Destin. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Destin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Destin?

Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Destin, 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 Cocoa Beach or Destin?

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 Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Destin. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Destin in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Destin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Destin averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Destin. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Destin receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Autumn?

Both Destin and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Destin. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Destin fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Destin. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Destin receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Winter?

Both Destin and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Destin in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Destin fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Destin. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Destin receives 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Destin. The spring months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year.

In the spring, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Destin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Destin averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Destin. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Destin receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Destin and Cocoa Beach