A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Bar Harbor for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

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 Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and adventurous beach town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cocoa Beach is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and beaches, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cocoa Beach is well known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Also, Cocoa Beach is famous for the Kennedy Space Center. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and Cocoa Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

There are notable resorts to choose from in both Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beach.

The beaches at Cocoa Beach attract visitors from all over. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly beach town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor both very good destinations for a couple.

Cocoa Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable destination. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Bar Harbor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cocoa Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cocoa Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Bar Harbor 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the adventurous beach town of Cocoa Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Cocoa Beach, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Cocoa Beach, a popular beach town, 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 beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor, 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 Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor?

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 Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In October, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Cocoa Beach