A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Cocoa Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint John's or Cocoa Beach?

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach or Saint John's?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $145. 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 Saint John's and Cocoa Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Cocoa Beach $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Cocoa Beach

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Cocoa Beach? 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 Saint Johns


Hotels in Cocoa Beach


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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Cocoa Beach $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
  • Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach

Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Hotel transfers : $47
  • Private Transfer from Cocoa to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $277
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $279
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $293

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Cocoa Beach?

Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach and Saint John's 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
    Saint John's $68
    Cocoa Beach $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
  • 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
  • Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Cocoa Beach $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
  • Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • 1 Hour Historic Riverboat Shared Cruise in Cocoa City: $25
  • Banana River Sunset Cruise w/ Dolphin Watching: $40
  • Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $40
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $40
  • Thousand Islands Banana River Boat Cruise: $40
  • Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
  • Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $45
  • Dolphin Tour with Local Expert: $45
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
  • Wildlife Refuge Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48
  • Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Cocoa Beach $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Cocoa Beach

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cocoa Beach:

  • Waterfront Happy Hour Bar Crawl: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Cocoa Beach, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Cocoa Beach.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Cocoa Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Cocoa Beach?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Cocoa Beach, 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 Saint John's or Cocoa Beach?

Cocoa Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Cocoa Beach. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets less rain in July than Cocoa Beach. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?

Both Cocoa Beach and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.

In October, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Cocoa Beach. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?

Both Cocoa Beach and Saint John's during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint John's is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Cocoa Beach. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Cocoa Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Saint John's is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Cocoa Beach. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Saint John's

Saint John's Cocoa Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)