Which place is cheaper, Juneau or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Juneau. 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 is a relaxing, adventurous, and fun-filled beach town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.
Juneau is a historic, scenic, and breathtaking city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Juneau. Although Cocoa Beach and Juneau are both popular with visitors, Juneau has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Juneau is more popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cocoa Beach is known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Cocoa Beach is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Juneau is popular for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Juneau and Cocoa Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Juneau and Cocoa Beach.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. 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.
Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.
Both Cocoa Beach and Juneau offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.
Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Juneau makes for a great culinary experience. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.
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.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Juneau is not a resort destination.
With a selection of resorts, Cocoa Beach makes a nice vacation spot. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.
Juneau is not a resort destination.
Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for the beache. However, Juneau is not a beach destination.
Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Juneau is not a beach destination.
Juneau is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.
Juneau is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.
Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.
Juneau is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Juneau. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.
Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.
Cocoa Beach is an amazing beach town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. 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.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Juneau. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.
Juneau is very popular for couples. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Juneau is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.
Couples visit Cocoa Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.
Juneau is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.
Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Juneau is not a good city 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 mostly limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.
Juneau is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.
Juneau is a very walkable destination. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.
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.
For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Juneau Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Juneau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Juneau. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Juneau.
Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Juneau. 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 Juneau than Cocoa Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Juneau that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Juneau than Cocoa Beach 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 Juneau.
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 breathtaking city of Juneau. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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.
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 museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Juneau. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
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.
The historic city of Juneau offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventurous 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.
Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Juneau. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $145, while the average daily cost in Juneau is $160. 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 Juneau in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Juneau? 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.
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Juneau:
Prices for flights to both Juneau 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.
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Juneau are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Juneau are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cocoa Beach:
When comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Juneau, we can see that Juneau 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Juneau Expensive?.
Juneau has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Juneau, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Juneau. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Juneau. Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Juneau. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Juneau and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Juneau in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Juneau. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.
Both Juneau and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Juneau can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Juneau averages at about 24°F (-4°C).
Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Juneau. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Juneau. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Juneau because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Juneau can be very cold. In April, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Juneau. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.
Cocoa Beach | Juneau | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 24°F (-4°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 33°F (0°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 7 inches (179 mm) |
Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.9 inches (123 mm) |
Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |