A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Myrtle Beach for Nightlife, Families, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Myrtle Beach can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a peaceful, family-friendly, and beautiful island. It's a quaint destination. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a jam-packed, high energy, and party-filled beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Key Largo and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Key Largo and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations, Myrtle Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Myrtle Beach is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Key Largo and is popular for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also well known for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Key Largo is famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Key Largo different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Myrtle Beach and Key Largo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Key Largo and Myrtle Beach can be an enjoyable experience.

Key Largo may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a great destination for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Key Largo. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

Myrtle Beach is great for the beach. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

The beaches at Myrtle Beach attract visitors from all over. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Myrtle Beach has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Key Largo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Key Largo is one of the most popular family destinations. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Both Key Largo and Myrtle Beach are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Key Largo is a good island for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Myrtle Beach. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Key Largo or Myrtle Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Key Largo or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Myrtle Beach is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable beach city. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Key Largo Worth Visiting? and Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Both Key Largo and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Myrtle Beach has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Myrtle Beach than Key Largo. In general, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 2-7 days is enough time in Myrtle Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Myrtle Beach than Key Largo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Myrtle Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Myrtle Beach than Key Largo 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 Myrtle Beach.

One day in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this family-friendly island offers. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife around the beach city of Myrtle Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Key Largo is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find nightlife around the busy destination of Myrtle Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this relaxed destination offers. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife around the party-filled beach city of Myrtle Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer.

A week in Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Key Largo is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. It's also a relaxing resort destination. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Myrtle Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Myrtle Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo and Myrtle Beach, 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 Key Largo or Myrtle Beach?

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 Key Largo or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Myrtle Beach. Many visitors come to Key Largo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Key Largo is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In the summer, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Myrtle Beach. Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Key Largo usually gets less rain in July than Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

Both Myrtle Beach and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Key Largo is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key Largo in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Myrtle Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during autumn. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. In October, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Key Largo or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Key Largo during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

In January, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 67°F (19°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the winter, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets less rain in January than Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Myrtle Beach. The beaches are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Key Largo is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during spring. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key Largo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Myrtle Beach. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Key Largo