A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ericeira vs. Puerto de la Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ericeira and Puerto de la Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz?

Ericeira

Beneath an indigo sky, a city perches at the edge of sandstone cliffs that overlook the vast expanse of the Atlantic. A seaside resort and fishing community, Ericeira is located in western Portugal within the municipality of Mafra. A picturesque village, Ericeira is quaint, quiet, and absolutely breathtaking with a population of no more than 10,260. Because of its blue waters and pristine coastlines, it has been named the Surfing Mecca of Europe. The town was a famous summer retreat for the families of Lisbon during the 1940s and 1950s and still remains so today for families beyond Lisbon's borders. Ericeira also has a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and second in the world. Besides the many beaches on Ericeira, including Ribeira d'Ilhas, Pescadores, and Mataduoro, the town also has a park called Parque de Santa Maria as well as an old town center that has a collection of cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also some important landmarks that can be explored as no more than a brief visit, such as Forte Mil Regos and Casa De Cultura Jaime Lobo E. Silvs. Whether you are a surfer, fisher, or simply a lover of the beach, Ericeira is the perfect place for those who wish to experience the Atlantic like never before.

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Ericeira and Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Puerto de la Cruz 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 Europe, 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 Ericeira Expensive? and Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz?

Puerto de la Cruz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz?

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 Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Ericeira during the summer are popular places to visit.

Ericeira is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ericeira. In the summer, Ericeira often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun.

Ericeira usually gets more rain in July than Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Puerto de la Cruz.

In the autumn, Ericeira is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ericeira in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In Ericeira, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz during autumn. Ericeira gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Puerto de la Cruz.

In January, Ericeira is generally much colder than Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Ericeira often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 hours of full sun.

Ericeira receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ericeira usually gets more rain in January than Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ericeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Ericeira is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz during spring. Ericeira gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Ericeira