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

Should you visit Granada or Islamorada?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Islamorada. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Granada or Islamorada?

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.

Islamorada

From its thriving coral reefs to its miraculous botanical gardens, you will find adventure on both land and sea at Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada, or "Village of Islands," is located in Monroe County and holds a population of no more than 6,119. As Islamorada's village is occupied within a cluster of nearby islands, Islamorada is located on Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village is relatively small, expanding to about 7.2 square miles total. Approximately an hour and a half-drive from Miami and a two hour-drive from Key West, Islamorada works swimmingly for those who seek to acquaint themselves with the tropical pleasures of the Keys.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Islamorada, we can see that Islamorada is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central America and Islamorada is in North 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 Islamorada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamorada 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Islamorada Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Islamorada?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Islamorada, 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 Granada or Islamorada?

Islamorada 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 Granada or Islamorada in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Islamorada. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Islamorada for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Islamorada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamorada averages at about 84°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. In the summer, Granada often gets less sunshine than Islamorada. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 328 hours of full sun.

Granada receives a lot of rain in the summer. Granada usually gets more rain in July than Islamorada. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Islamorada in the Autumn?

Both Islamorada and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Islamorada. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Islamorada. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during autumn. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. It's quite rainy in Granada. In October, Granada usually receives more rain than Islamorada. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Islamorada.

Should I visit Granada or Islamorada in the Winter?

Both Islamorada and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year.

Granada is a little warmer than Islamorada in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Islamorada fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the winter, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Islamorada. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 252 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in January than Islamorada. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Islamorada in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Islamorada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Also, many travelers come to Islamorada for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Islamorada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamorada averages at about 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during spring. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Islamorada. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Islamorada is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Islamorada and Granada