A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Daytona Beach vs. Key Largo for Nightlife, Families, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Key Largo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a lively, fun, and party-hard beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a beautiful, relaxed, and peaceful island. It's a quaint destination. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Daytona Beach and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach. Although Daytona Beach and Key Largo are popular destinations, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Key Largo and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also well known for The Daytona International Speedway. Key Largo is famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is Daytona Beach different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Daytona Beach and Key Largo offer a number of reasonable restaurants to choose from.

Daytona Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

The nightlife in Daytona Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with good options for its music scene. However, Key Largo is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Key Largo is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its luxury resorts.

Key Largo is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Daytona Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Daytona Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Daytona Beach and Key Largo are nice choices.

Daytona Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Many people head to Key Largo to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

Daytona Beach is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Daytona Beach has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Key Largo is a very family-friendly destination. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Key Largo make for a nice place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo is not popular with students.

Daytona Beach is a very popular beach city for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Daytona Beach or Key Largo offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Public transit is quite limited in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Daytona Beach or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Neither Daytona Beach or Key Largo are walkable places.

Daytona Beach is not a walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

Key Largo is not a very walkable beach city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Key Largo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Key Largo than Daytona 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 Key Largo.

One day in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the beach city of Daytona Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly destination of Key Largo. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the lively destination of Daytona Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the lively beach city of Daytona Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the peaceful destination of Key Largo. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the island of Key Largo. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo 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 Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Key Largo, 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 Daytona Beach or Key Largo?

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 Daytona Beach or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Key Largo. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in July than Key Largo. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Key Largo in the Autumn?

Both Key Largo and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is cooler than Key Largo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Key Largo averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Daytona Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the cuisine are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year.

In January, Daytona Beach is generally cooler than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in January than Key Largo. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Key Largo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Key Largo. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches.

Daytona Beach is cooler than Key Largo in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Daytona Beach