A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Santa Cruz for Families, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz 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 beautiful, relaxed, and peaceful island. It's a quaint destination. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Key Largo and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Key Largo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, 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. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Key Largo different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key Largo or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is great for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Santa Cruz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for hiking. However, Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Santa Cruz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Key Largo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Key Largo is a very family-friendly destination. 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, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Key Largo or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

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

Santa Cruz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Santa Cruz is a good town to visit for backpackers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

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 Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

Santa Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Key Largo or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Key Largo than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the family-friendly island of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

Key Largo, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz?

Key Largo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa 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 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 Santa Cruz.

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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo and Santa 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 Key Largo or Santa 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 Key Largo or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Key Largo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Key Largo is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key Largo in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Santa Cruz. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Key Largo is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 78°F (26°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Key Largo or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Key Largo is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Key Largo usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the spring, Key Largo is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key Largo in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Key Largo