A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Santa Fe for Food, Hiking, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Santa Fe can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. It's also popular because of the museums, beaches, and hiking. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a cultural, historic, and charming 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.

Jekyll Island and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Fe. Although Jekyll Island and Santa Fe are popular destinations, Santa Fe has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Fe is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. 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 Jekyll Island different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Santa Fe and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Santa Fe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

Santa Fe is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Santa Fe. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for its music scene. However, Jekyll Island is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Jekyll Island is not a live music destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a great island for the beach. However, Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a great island 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 Jekyll Island for the hiking trails. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

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 Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options 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.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe More Beautiful?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Jekyll Island is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Fe offers plenty of beauty for visitors. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

Jekyll Island is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

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 Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Couples?

Both Jekyll Island and Santa Fe are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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 Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Students?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Fe is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options 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 Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options 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.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Fe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

In either Jekyll Island or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe than Jekyll Island because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 2-5 days is enough time in Santa Fe.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Fe than Jekyll Island. 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 Jekyll Island 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.

One day in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

The island of Jekyll Island offers museums. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and skiing when visiting the artsy destination of Santa Fe. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

Jekyll Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jekyll Island, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Fe. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

Jekyll Island 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.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the artsy destination of Santa Fe. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This historic town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Jekyll Island or Santa Fe?

Jekyll Island 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 island offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic town of Santa Fe. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Santa Fe Expensive?.