A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Everglades National Park vs. Naples for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Naples?

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 Everglades National Park and Naples can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a natural, wild, and pristine national park. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Naples

Naples is a nature-filled, relaxing, and peaceful beach town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Everglades National Park and Naples: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples. Although Everglades National Park and Naples are popular destinations, Naples has more sights and attractions for tourists. Naples is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking. Everglades National Park is famous for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Naples is famous for its white sand, blue water, water sports, and golf resorts. It is also well known for Naples Pier and the miles of sandy beach.

How is Everglades National Park different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Naples and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is very good for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Naples. While most visitors spend most of their time at the beach, on a rainy day you can check out the town's art museums, history museums, or local spots such as the Palm Cottage.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.


Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is a great beach town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Naples has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is a favorite around town, but you'll also find plenty of Italian food. Everything from casual to fine dining is available with many local favorites to choose from.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is very good for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Naples has a few options to choose from. There are live music venues, cocktail bars, and dance clubs around town.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is a great beach town for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Naples. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and a range of prices to choose from. Most have pools and many have oceanfront views with golf facilities available. Many of the major brands such as Marriott are found here.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Naples. Snorkeling and scuba diving are both available in the area, in part because of the impressive artificial reefs that have been constructed. Snorkeling is available at Tigertail Beach, Clam Pass, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Naples is a very popular vacation destination. White sand beaches and calm Gulf waters make this an ideal beach destination. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a favorite beach spot in the area, but you should also check out Naples Municipal Beach which is where you'll find the Naples Pier. If you want a more natural setting, head to Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Naples offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with state parks and nature reserves where you can explore and enjoy a scenic hike. There are also greenways and coastal paths nearby.


Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Naples has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shopping centers, outlet malls, and plenty of retail space around town. Some of the favorite shopping spots are the Mercato, Coastland Center, and Waterside Shops. For souvenirs and beach items head to Tin City Waterfront Shops.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is a great beach town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Naples. You'll find relaxing beaches, nice parks, plenty of playgrounds, and even the Golisano Childrens Museum for rainy days. There are also nature centers with great walks as well as gardens and wildlife viewpoints.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is a great beach town for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Naples is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful beaches and relaxing spas make this a favorite couples destination. Golf, high end restaurants and plenty of romantic activities will ensure you have the anniversary trip or honeymoon to remember.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.


Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Plenty of backpackers visit Naples. There's a hostel or two in the area as well as cheaper accommodation than other parts of Florida.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Naples. There's a trolley system as well as a public bus system.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Naples a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Naples

Naples is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Naples is a somewhat walkable beach town. The downtown area is relatively walkable, but to fully explore the region you'll need your own car.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.


For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Naples?

In either Everglades National Park or Naples, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Naples than Everglades National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-5 days is enough time in Naples.

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

Couples should spend more time in Naples than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Naples that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Everglades National Park 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 Naples.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Naples? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Naples 2-5

One day in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the relaxing beach town of Naples, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Everglades National Park 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.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the peaceful destination of Naples, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this beach town makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Everglades National Park. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the peaceful beach town of Naples, there's plenty to do. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.


A week in Everglades National Park or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the wild destination of Everglades National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Naples or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $146, while the average daily cost in Naples is $226. 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 Everglades National Park and Naples in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Naples $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Naples $238
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Naples

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Naples? 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.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Naples


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: Naples Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Naples $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples

Also for Naples, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Naples to Southwest Florida Airport (RSW) - Departure Private Transfer: $101

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Naples?

Prices for flights to both Naples and Everglades National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $31
    Naples $70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples

For Naples, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class in Naples Florida: $224

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Naples $26

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • 2 Hour Chokoloskee Island Kayak Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Everglades Kayak Tour: $120
  • 6 Hour Everglades Mangroves Kayak Tour: $200
  • Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours): $120
  • Everglades National Park Small Group Guided Boating & Walking Tour Expedition: $200
  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $48
  • Small Group Boat, Kayak and Walking Guided Eco Tour in Everglades National Park: $200
  • Small-Group Everglades Boating Kayaking and Walking Eco Tour: $200
  • Two-Hour Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour: $120

Tours and Activities in Naples

For Naples, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10,000 Islands Boat Excursion - 3.5-Hour Dolphins & Shelling Tour: $170
  • 10,000 Islands Excursion Small-Group 3.5 hour Dolphin & Shelling Boat Tour : $160
  • 10000 Islands Everglades Boat Tour : $59
  • 2 Hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling Tour: $100
  • 2 Hours Cycle Boat Sunset Tour in Marco Island : $59
  • 2Hour Everglades Kayak Safari Adventure Through Mangrove Tunnels: $89
  • 3 Hour Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour: $120
  • 3 Hour Hobie Kayak Adventure In Bonita Springs: $70
  • 3 Hour Natural Florida Everglades Guided Bicycle Eco Tour: $119
  • 4-Hour Guided Kayak Adventure in Bonita Springs: $110
  • 90 Minute Guided Moped Tour in Naples Florida: $62
  • 90 Minute Segway Tour - Explore Naples Florida - Family Fun: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Naples $38

Sample the Local Flavors in Naples

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:

  • Epic Naples Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Everglades National Park and Naples, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is Everglades National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Everglades National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Everglades National Park 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples than you might in Everglades National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Everglades National Park Expensive? and Is Naples Expensive?.