A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Couples, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz? 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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a built-up, well-known, and vibrant city. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Acapulco de Juarez than Santa Cruz. Acapulco de Juarez is bigger than Santa Cruz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Acapulco de Juarez is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Acapulco de Juarez is well known for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is famous for the cliff divers of La Quebrada. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz and Acapulco de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

While most people don't head to Acapulco de Juarez specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and Santa Cruz can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Acapulco de Juarez area. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Santa Cruz. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for nightlife. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Acapulco de Juarez is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Acapulco de Juarez is a great choice. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Acapulco de Juarez and Santa Cruz are high quality choices.

Acapulco de Juarez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and Acapulco de Juarez.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to go shopping. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for romance. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Acapulco de Juarez makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Acapulco de Juarez has a few public transit options. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Acapulco de Juarez than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Santa Cruz. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santa Cruz.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

With shopping and nightlife around the well-known city of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Santa Cruz is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Santa Cruz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

Acapulco de Juarez, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Santa Cruz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz?

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 Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Santa Cruz. The shopping scene are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 28°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

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

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Santa Cruz. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Acapulco de Juarez