A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Veracruz vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Veracruz and Columbia River Gorge can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Veracruz Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge?

Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Veracruz is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the summer, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Columbia River Gorge. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Veracruz is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Columbia River Gorge. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Columbia River Gorge can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Veracruz is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Veracruz in January average around 21°C (71°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Veracruz or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the natural beauty.

In April, Veracruz is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Veracruz