A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. Granada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Florianopolis or Granada?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Granada? 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.

Where Should I go: Florianopolis or Granada?

Florianopolis

With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.

Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Granada or Florianopolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Granada is $40. 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 Florianopolis and Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Florianopolis $26
    Granada $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Florianopolis $52
    Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Granada

Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Granada? 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 Florianopolis


Hotels in Granada


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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Florianopolis $13
    Granada $8.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis

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

  • Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
  • Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
  • Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
  • One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
  • Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
  • Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
  • Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
  • Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
  • Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada and Florianopolis 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
    Florianopolis $22
    Granada $14
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Snack
    $0.44

Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Florianopolis $26
    Granada $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Internet
    $0.59

Tours and Activities in Florianopolis

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

  • Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
  • Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
  • Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
  • Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
  • Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
  • Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
  • Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
  • Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
  • Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
  • Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
  • Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
  • Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42

Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.17

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Bird Watching Tour: $90
  • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
  • Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
  • Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $158
  • From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
  • Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
  • Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $224
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Granada City Tour: $40
  • Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
  • Granada Kayak Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Florianopolis $8.68
    Granada $7.50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.59

Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Granada, we can see that Florianopolis is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South America and Granada is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Florianopolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florianopolis than you might in Granada.

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


Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Granada?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and Granada, 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 Florianopolis or Granada?

Florianopolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Granada in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Granada. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

In the summer, Florianopolis is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Florianopolis in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.

In the summer, Florianopolis often gets more sunshine than Granadain July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Granada. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Granadain July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Florianopolis 25°C (76°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Granada in the Autumn?

Both Granada and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Granadain October. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 22°C (71°F), and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Granada during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Granadain October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Florianopolis 22°C (71°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Granada in the Winter?

Both Granada and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.

Florianopolis is much colder than Granada in the winter. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Granadain January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Granadain January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Florianopolis 17°C (62°F) 
    Granada 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Granada in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Granada. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Florianopolis is cooler than Granada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Florianopolis in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Granada averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Granada during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Granadain April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Florianopolis 20°C (68°F) 
    Granada 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Granada and Florianopolis

Florianopolis Granada
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)