A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Port-of-Spain vs. Santa Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain 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.

Where Should I go: Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz?

Port-of-Spain

Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Port-of-Spain and Santa Cruz, we can see that Port-of-Spain is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Port-of-Spain is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Cruz 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 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 Port-of-Spain would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Port-of-Spain. When comparing the sizes of Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Port-of-Spain experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Port-of-Spain and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Port-of-Spain is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Port-of-Spain in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Port-of-Spain gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Port-of-Spain usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Port-of-Spain gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Port-of-Spain as well as Santa Cruz. Port-of-Spain attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Port-of-Spain is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Port-of-Spain gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Port-of-Spain are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Port-of-Spain usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Cruz. Port-of-Spain gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Port-of-Spain during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the spring, Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Port-of-Spain in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Port-of-Spain gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Port-of-Spain