A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Veracruz vs. Durham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Veracruz or Durham?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Durham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Durham?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Durham?

Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Durham, 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 Veracruz or Durham?

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 Veracruz or Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

In the summer, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Durham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Durham averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the summer, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Durham. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Durham. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Veracruz or Durham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Durham. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene.

In October, Veracruz is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (79°F), and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Durham during autumn. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Durham. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Veracruz or Durham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Durham. Also, many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. Veracruz is much warmer than Durham in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Veracruz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Veracruz usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Veracruz or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Veracruz is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Durham averages at about 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Durham during spring. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Durham. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Veracruz