A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Split vs. Playa de las Americas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Split or Playa de las Americas?

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 Split and Playa de las Americas. 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: Split or Playa de las Americas?

Split

Spit is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.

Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.

Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.

Playa de las Americas

If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Croatia, The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Split?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Split is $116, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is $209. 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 Split and Playa de las Americas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Split $78
    Playa de las Americas $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Split $156
    Playa de las Americas $246
Compare Hotels in Split and Playa de las Americas

Looking for a hotel in Split or Playa de las Americas? 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 Split


Hotels in Playa de las Americas


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: Split Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Split $15
    Playa de las Americas $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split

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

  • Private transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,069
  • Split/Trogir to Zagreb: Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $1,016
  • Zagreb to Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $1,016
  • Private Transfer to Zagreb with Plitvice Lakes Stop: $735
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Zagreb: $668
  • Split Airport: Speedboat Taxi transfer to/from Hvar: $642
  • private transfer from Split airport to Novalja/Zrće: $535
  • Airport to Hvar Town Speedboat Transfer: $535
  • Split – Dubrovnik via Ston Private transfer: $441
  • Private Transfer to Krka with Driver & Optional Guide: $427
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Dubrovnik: $387
  • Private transfer (Taxi) Split to Zadar: $284

Is it cheaper to fly into Split or Playa de las Americas?

Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Split 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
    Split $25
    Playa de las Americas $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split

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

  • Small Group Food Tour: $37
  • Homemade Dinner under the Stars in Split: $85
  • Food Tour in Split ( Small Group): $96
  • Split Food Tour (Small Group): $98
  • Vegan Food tour of Split with local gastronomy: $102
  • Walking Vegan Food Tour of Split: $104
  • Old Town Food Tour: $107
  • Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time: $131
  • Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $191
  • Private Authentic Wine & Food tour from Split: $240
  • Culinary Experience – Cooking Class & Walking Tour Split: $251

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Split $3.96
    Playa de las Americas $32

Tours and Activities in Split

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

  • Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Small Group Tour with Lunch: $82
  • History tour: $33
  • SPLIT-"Emperor's City for History Lovers"/PRIVATE Walking Tour+Cellars Museum : $210
  • "Blue Lagoon" Half day Chill out tour from Split: $75
  • "Not Today" - Game of Thrones and History of Split Private Guided Walking Tour: $66
  • 2 Day Pass with Sightseeing Bus: $33
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour of Split with an Art Historian: $24
  • 2 Hours Split Walking tour with free food tasting: $33
  • 2-Hour Private Guided Tour of Split in a Classic Ford T: $45
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Split: $87
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Split: $86
  • 2-hours Split Segway Tour: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Split $8.49
    Playa de las Americas $9.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Split

Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Krka Waterfalls & Swimming & Wine tasting: $24
  • From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $26
  • Tower Pub Crawl in Split: $29
  • Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting tour from Split: $31
  • Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $38
  • Wine Tasting and Sunset Klis Fortress Tour from Split: $38
  • Krka National Park Tour with tour Guide & Wine tasting from Split & Trogir: $46
  • Split&Sip: Educational wine tasting: $51
  • Wine Tasting in the Diocletian's Palace: $53
  • Wine Tasting in the Diocletian’s Palace: $55
  • Diocletian's Palace Walking and Wine Tasting Tour: $71
  • From Split/Trogir: Mostar and Medjugorje Tour with Wine Tasting: $74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Split and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Split much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Split would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Split 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Split.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Split Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Split or Playa de las Americas?

Split has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Split and Playa de las Americas, 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 Split or Playa de las Americas?

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 Split or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Split and Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Split for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Split is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Split averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. Split usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during summer. Split gets 345 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Split usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Split gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Split 26°C (80°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Split or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Split as well as Playa de las Americas. Many visitors come to Split in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Split is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Split in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. In the autumn, Split often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas. Split gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.

Split usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Split gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Split 18°C (64°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Split or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?

Both Playa de las Americas and Split are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Split is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Split average around 8°C (47°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Split usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Split gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Split usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Split gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Split 8°C (47°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Split or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?

Both Playa de las Americas and Split during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Split is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Split averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Split. In the spring, Split often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas. Split gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.

Split usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Split gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Split 15°C (59°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Split

Split Playa de las Americas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)