Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona. 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 Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCocoa Beach $145Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $145, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCocoa Beach $85Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCocoa Beach $170Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cocoa Beach $26Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Hotel transfers : $47
- Private Transfer from Cocoa to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $277
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $279
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $293
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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 $43Kailua-Kona $58
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:
- Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
- 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
- Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
- Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cocoa Beach $16Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- 1 Hour Historic Riverboat Shared Cruise in Cocoa City: $25
- Banana River Sunset Cruise w/ Dolphin Watching: $40
- Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $40
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $40
- Thousand Islands Banana River Boat Cruise: $40
- Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
- Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $45
- Dolphin Tour with Local Expert: $45
- 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
- Wildlife Refuge Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48
- Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCocoa Beach $20Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Cocoa Beach
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cocoa Beach:
- Waterfront Happy Hour Bar Crawl: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona?
Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Cocoa Beach is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Kailua-Kona. The beaches are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.
In the spring, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Cocoa Beach
| Cocoa Beach | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.