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

Should you visit Leon or Islamorada?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Islamorada 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.

Where Should I go: Leon or Islamorada?

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

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 Leon and Islamorada, we can see that Islamorada is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.

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

Which is Bigger, Leon or Islamorada?

Leon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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 Leon or Islamorada?

Islamorada has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Leon or Islamorada in the Summer?

Both Islamorada and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Leon is around the same temperature as Islamorada in the summer. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Islamorada fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leon often gets less sunshine than Islamorada. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 328 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in July than Islamorada. Leon 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 Leon or Islamorada in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Islamorada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year.

In the autumn, Leon is around the same temperature as Islamorada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leon in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamorada averages at about 80°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Islamorada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives more rain than Islamorada. Leon 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 in Islamorada is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Leon or Islamorada in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Islamorada. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Islamorada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Leon is generally a little warmer than Islamorada. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 26°C (79°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Islamorada. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 252 hours of full sun.

Leon usually gets less rain in January than Islamorada. Leon 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 Leon or Islamorada in the Spring?

Both Islamorada and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Islamorada in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Leon is a little warmer than Islamorada in the spring. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Islamorada fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Islamorada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Islamorada and Leon