Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Santa Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs 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.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Santa Cruz?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Santa Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesSanta Cruz Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Santa Cruz $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $156. 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 Hot Springs and Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Santa Cruz? 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.
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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Santa Cruz $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz and Hot Springs 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
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Santa Cruz $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz.
- Capitola Friday Night Food Tour: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Santa Cruz $18
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour : $110
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups: $110
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided Electric Bike Tour (eBike): $110
- Guided eBike Tour: $120
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $220
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Santa Cruz $8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Wine Tasting Experience: $25
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Santa Cruz, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs than you might in Santa Cruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Santa Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
Both Santa Cruz and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Santa Cruz. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Santa Cruz. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.