A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cocoa Beach vs. Ottawa for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

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 Ottawa. 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 adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Ottawa are popular destinations, Cocoa Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also well known for the Kennedy Space Center. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Ottawa and Cocoa Beach.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

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

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

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.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cocoa Beach and Ottawa.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cocoa Beach and Ottawa.

Cocoa Beach has some 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).

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Cocoa Beach or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Ottawa are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. 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.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

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

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Ottawa. 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 Ottawa. 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 Ottawa than Cocoa Beach 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 Ottawa.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cocoa Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Ottawa. 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 Ottawa?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. This city 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 Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The welcoming city of Ottawa offers museums and food. 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 Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventurous destination of Cocoa Beach. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Ottawa. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

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 Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Cocoa Beach or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Cocoa Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

Cocoa Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ottawa. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Cocoa Beach