Which place is cheaper, Destin or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cocoa Beach vs. Destin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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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.
Where Should I go: Cocoa Beach or Destin?
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
Destin
An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCocoa Beach $145Destin $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $145, while the average daily cost in Destin is $192. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cocoa Beach and Destin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCocoa Beach $85Destin $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCocoa Beach $170Destin $222
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Destin
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Destin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices and Destin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cocoa Beach $26Destin $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hotels in Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $213
Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Destin?
Prices for flights to both Destin and Cocoa Beach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCocoa Beach $43Destin $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Destin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Destin.
- Sunset Island Dinner -- A Top Ten Area Attraction: $575
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cocoa Beach $16Destin $17
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Wizard of OZ Museum tour: $30
- Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $38
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $38
- Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
- Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour: $49
- Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach: $49
- Daytime Guided Kayak Eco-Tour: $49
- Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $50
- Bicycle Tours and Rentals Throughout the Space Coast: $50
- Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking: $50
- Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!: $50
- Mangrove Tunnels, Manatee, and Dolphin Sunset Kayak Tour with Fin Expeditions: $54
Typical Entertainment prices in Destin
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Destin are as follows:
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1 Day Rental Umbrella and Chairs$40
Tours and Activities in Destin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Destin are as follows:
- Banana Boat Experience: $52
- Crab Island and Dolphin Cruise: $50
- 90 Minutes Sunset Cruise in Destin Harbor: $77
- Captained Crab Island Tiki Cruise: $80
- Captained Tiki Boat Crab Island Sunset & Harbor Lights Tour: $60
- Clear Kayak Adventure in Fort Walton Beach : $69
- Clear Kayaking Eco Adventure Tour in Marianna: $72
- Crab Island Dolphin Jetski Adventure : $213
- Deep Sea-Nearshore Gulf Fishing with IntraCoastal Experience: $1,040
- Destin Harbor & Crab Island Sunset & Harbor tour: $50
- Destin Private Catamaran and Snorkeling Tour 3hrs: $455
- Destin Private Guided Sunset Cruise up to 6 Passengers: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCocoa Beach $20Destin $49
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.
Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Destin?
Cocoa Beach is bigger, and its population is about 3% larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the population of Cocoa Beach vs. 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 and the activities 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. 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)Destin 82°F (28°C)
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. 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)Destin 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Winter?
Both Destin and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)Destin 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Destin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Destin. 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)Destin 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Destin and Cocoa Beach
| Cocoa Beach | Destin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (189 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (188 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
| Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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