A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Fernando vs. Santa Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Fernando or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Santa Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: San Fernando or Santa Cruz?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Santa Cruz, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Cruz is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Santa Cruz?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and San Fernando during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Fernando is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

San Fernando is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Santa Cruz. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the winter, San Fernando is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Fernando in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

San Fernando usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Cruz. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In April, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and San Fernando