A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto de la Cruz vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Puerto de la Cruz and Plitvice Lakes National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Puerto de la Cruz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto de la Cruz is €112, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Puerto de la Cruz and Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto de la Cruz 51
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto de la Cruz 102
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 120
Compare Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Looking for a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz


Hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto de la Cruz 40
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
  • From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
  • Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Puerto de la Cruz change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Puerto de la Cruz 34
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto de la Cruz 28
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 34

Tours and Activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.

  • Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket: $11
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14
  • Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
  • Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
  • Plitvice Lakes: Guided Walking Tour and Boat Ride: $36
  • Plitvice lakes: Guided walking tour with a boat ride: $37
  • Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $38
  • Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
  • From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
  • Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
  • From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park - Inspiration Buggy Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto de la Cruz 5.00
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 14


When comparing the travel costs between Puerto de la Cruz and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Additionally, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plitvice Lakes National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz is generally much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 21°C (70°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Puerto de la Cruz during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the cuisine.

The weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold. Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

In the spring, Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz Plitvice Lakes National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)