A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Key Largo vs. Tampa for Families, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Key Largo or Tampa?

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 Tampa 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 relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Key Largo and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Tampa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tampa. Although Key Largo and Tampa are popular destinations, Tampa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tampa is very popular for its food, beaches, and big city activities, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Tampa and is 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. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens.

How is Key Largo different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tampa 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 Tampa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tampa is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

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 Tampa Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is reasonable in both Key Largo and Tampa.

Key Largo doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Most people don't head to Tampa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Key Largo or Tampa Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Tampa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tampa is lacking in options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

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.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Is Key Largo or Tampa Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Tampa attract visitors from all over. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks 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 Tampa Better for Families?

Key Largo is an amazing island to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Key Largo or Tampa Better for Couples?

Key Largo is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

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

Neither Key Largo or Tampa 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 Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Key Largo or Tampa a more walkable city?

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

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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 Tampa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Tampa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key Largo and Tampa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Tampa. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Tampa.

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

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

One day in Key Largo or Tampa?

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this peaceful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food around the city of Tampa. 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 Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food around the easy-going destination of Tampa. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Tampa?

Key Largo is a fun place to experience. In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the easy-going city of Tampa. 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 Tampa?

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this family-friendly destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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

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 Tampa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Tampa?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo and Tampa, 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 Tampa?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Key Largo or Tampa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Tampa. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during summer. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Key Largo usually receives less rain than Tampa. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key Largo or Tampa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Tampa. Also, most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Key Largo is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key Largo in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Tampa. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Tampa in the Winter?

Both Tampa and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine.

In January, Key Largo is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 67°F (19°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during winter. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Key Largo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampa. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key Largo or Tampa in the Spring?

Both Tampa and Key Largo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

Key Largo is around the same temperature as Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the spring, Key Largo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets more rain in April than Tampa. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tampa and Key Largo