A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cocoa Beach vs. Tampa for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

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 Tampa. 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 adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back 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 and beaches.

Cocoa Beach and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

Both Tampa and Cocoa Beach have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Tampa attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Tampa and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Cocoa Beach offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cocoa Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Cocoa Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach and Tampa both offer superb 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.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is an amazing beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

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

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Cocoa Beach has some 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 limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Cocoa Beach or Tampa a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. 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.

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

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

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Tampa. 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 Tampa. 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 Tampa 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 Tampa?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this adventurous destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back city of Tampa. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to experience. In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The low-key city of Tampa offers food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

You'll find food and shopping around the adventurous destination of Cocoa Beach. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Tampa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Tampa?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Tampa, 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 Tampa?

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 Cocoa Beach or Tampa in the Summer?

Both Tampa and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Tampa in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Tampa fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampa. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Tampa in the Autumn?

Both Tampa and Cocoa Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Tampa. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Tampa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Tampa. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Tampa. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampa. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Tampa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Tampa. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in April than Tampa. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Tampa and Cocoa Beach