A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Santa Fe for Food, Hiking, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

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 Everglades National Park and Santa Fe can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a adventure-filled, unique, and natural national park. Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a charming, artsy, and cultural historic town. Santa Fe offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and live music. See Santa Fe travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Fe. Although Everglades National Park and Santa Fe are popular destinations, Santa Fe has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Fe is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking. Everglades National Park is more touristy than Santa Fe and is known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Santa Fe is famous for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. It is also well known for The Museum of New Mexico Complex.

How is Everglades National Park different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Fe and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is very good for skiing. However, Everglades National Park is not a skiing destination.

Head to Santa Fe for some great skiing and other winter activities. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

Everglades National Park is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is very good for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Fe. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Fe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

Santa Fe doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Music?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is very good for its music scene. However, Everglades National Park is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Everglades National Park is not a live music destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its historic old town charm. However, Everglades National Park does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Santa Fe. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

Everglades National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Everglades National Park is a great national park for hiking. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Santa Fe has hiking trails worth exploring. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.


Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Fe. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

You'll find a similar quality of nice scenery and beauty in both Everglades National Park and Santa Fe.

Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Santa Fe.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Santa Fe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.


Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Both Everglades National Park and Santa Fe are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Everglades National Park is a good national park for couples to visit. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Santa Fe is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Everglades National Park is a great national park for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Santa Fe is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Santa Fe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as several campgrounds.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Students?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Everglades National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Santa Fe. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

Everglades National Park is not popular with students.


Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Santa Fe is a very walkable destination. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Fe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

In either Everglades National Park or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe than Everglades National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-5 days is enough time in Santa Fe.

Families should spend more time in Santa Fe than Everglades National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Fe, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Fe than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Fe that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Fe than Everglades National Park 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 Fe.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Santa Fe 2-5

One day in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

The national park of Everglades National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With skiing and live music around the historic historic town of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A weekend in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Everglades National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Everglades National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With live music and food around the cultural destination of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have a weekend, this historic town makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and shopping around the charming historic town of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. This historic town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Everglades National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park offers something for everyone.

Santa Fe is a great place to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Fe or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Santa Fe Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Santa Fe $190

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Santa Fe is $190. 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 Everglades National Park and Santa Fe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Santa Fe $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Santa Fe $162
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Santa Fe

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Santa Fe? 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 Everglades National Park


Hotels in Santa Fe


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: Santa Fe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Santa Fe $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe

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

  • New Mexico: Private Transfer from Santa Fe Regional Airport: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Santa Fe?

Prices for flights to both Santa Fe and Everglades National Park 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
    Everglades National Park $54
    Santa Fe $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe

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

  • New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $187
  • Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
  • Santa Fe Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour: $213
  • Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $234
  • Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $239

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Santa Fe $17

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Tours and Activities in Santa Fe

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Fe.

  • 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
  • Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Studio Tour: $35
  • Downtown Santa Fe Walking Wine, History, & Tapas Tour: $249
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Santa Fe NM: $15
  • Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $189
  • Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe: $185
  • Private Festive Tour of Santa Fe’s Christmas Highlights: $349
  • Private Walking Tour of Santa Fe’s Historic Sites: $866
  • Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $159
  • Santa Fe Architectural Walking Tour: $136
  • Santa Fe Art and History Small Group Bike Tour: $135
  • Santa Fe Botanical Garden General Admission Ticket : $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Santa Fe $9.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:

  • Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18
  • Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Join in Wine Tours: $145


When comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Santa Fe, we can see that Santa Fe is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Everglades National Park Expensive? and Is Santa Fe Expensive?.