A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Key Largo vs. Saint Augustine for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine 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. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Key Largo and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Key Largo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Key Largo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is well known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter.

How is Key Largo different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key Largo or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Augustine has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Key Largo to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia 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 Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Key Largo does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Saint Augustine offers plenty to see. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Key Largo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Key Largo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is great for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Saint Augustine is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. 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.

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

Saint Augustine is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

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

Is Key Largo or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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 Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Key Largo or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Key Largo due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

The family-friendly destination of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine?

The island of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the notable destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

Key Largo is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial city of Saint Augustine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

The relaxed island of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Saint Augustine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. 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 Saint Augustine, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Saint Augustine?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Saint Augustine. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Key Largo is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key Largo in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Augustine. Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Key Largo usually gets more rain in July than Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

Both Saint Augustine and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In October, Key Largo is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during autumn. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. In October, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Key Largo or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Key Largo during the winter are popular places to visit. The cuisine are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Key Largo is much warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the winter, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets less rain in January than Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Saint Augustine. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Key Largo is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key Largo in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine during spring. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Key Largo