Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz or Faro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Faro or Puerto de la Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Puerto de la Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Faro or Puerto de la Cruz?
Faro
Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFaro €133Puerto de la Cruz €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Faro is €133, while the average daily cost in Puerto de la Cruz is €112. 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 Faro and Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFaro €75Puerto de la Cruz €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFaro €150Puerto de la Cruz €102
Compare Hotels in Faro and Puerto de la Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Faro or Puerto de la Cruz? 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: Faro Hotel Prices and Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Faro €9.52Puerto de la Cruz €40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro
Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon Oriente Station: Transfer to/from Faro City Center: $4.23
- Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Quarteira & Vilamoura: $19
- Faro Airport: Private transfer to Vilamoura & Quarteira: $19
- Private Transfer from Faro Airport to Albufeira: $26
- Private Transfer: Faro to Faro International Airport (FAO): $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Faro Airport to Algarve Hotels: $29
- Transfer from Faro airport to Almancil: $30
- Private Car or Van Transfer Faro Airport FAO to Albufeira Area: $36
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Faro HTL-APT (FAO): $36
- Private Transfer from Faro (FAO) Airport to Olhao: $37
- Private Transfer from Loulé to Faro (FAO) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Faro (FAO) Airport to Vilamoura: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Faro or Puerto de la Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz and Faro 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 dayFaro €36Puerto de la Cruz €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro
For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Most Delicious Private Food Tour of 6 or 10 Tastings: $83
- 3 Hours Classic Food Tour in Faro: $97
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience in Algarve: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Faro €9.41Puerto de la Cruz €28
Tours and Activities in Faro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.
- Camera Obscura - Tavira Eye - Admission Ticket: $5.45
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Lagos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Tavira Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.84
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Algarve Life Sciences Center Museum Family Ticket: $13
- Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop: $18
- Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Tour: $21
- Eco Boat Tour in the Ria Formosa Lagoon from Faro: $22
- 1 or 2 Hour Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa: $26
- 2 Hours Boat Tour in Ria Formosa: $27
- Tavira Route Boat Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFaro €3.13Puerto de la Cruz €5.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Faro
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:
- Wine tastings, with Tour option - Authentic Algarve Flavours by Quinta da Tôr: $19
- Visit to a Family Brewery in Loulé with Tasting: $27
- Algarve Traditional Food and Wine Tasting: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Puerto de la Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto de la Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Puerto de la Cruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Faro or Puerto de la Cruz?
Faro has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro 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 Faro or Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), 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 Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun.
Faro usually gets less rain in July than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFaro 25°C (78°F)Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Faro or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Puerto de la Cruz. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Faro is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Faro usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFaro 20°C (68°F)Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Faro or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Puerto de la Cruz. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Faro is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In the winter, Faro often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 hours of full sun.
Faro usually gets more rain in January than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFaro 12°C (54°F)Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Faro or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches.
In April, Faro is generally cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), 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 Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Faro usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFaro 17°C (62°F)Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Faro
| Faro | Puerto de la Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (56°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (58°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
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.