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

Should you visit Veracruz or Gainesville?

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 Gainesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Gainesville?

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.

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Gainesville or Veracruz?

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

  • Veracruz Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Gainesville Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Veracruz $143
    Gainesville $267

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $143, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $267. 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 Veracruz and Gainesville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $49
    Gainesville $115
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $98
    Gainesville $230
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Gainesville

Looking for a hotel in Veracruz or Gainesville? 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 Veracruz


Hotels in Gainesville


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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Gainesville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $26
    Gainesville $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

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

  • Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $18
  • Private Transfer to Veracruz Airport (VER): $18
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $37
  • Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Gainesville?

Prices for flights to both Gainesville and Veracruz 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
    Veracruz $78
    Gainesville $121

Typical Food Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Veracruz $13
    Gainesville $43

Tours and Activities in Veracruz

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

  • Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $23
  • Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $24
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $25
  • San Juan De Ulua Tour: $26
  • Veracruz City Tour with San Juan de Ulúa and Mandinga Boat: $46
  • Live a Kayak Experience: $85
  • Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $87
  • Full Day Tour to Alvarado and Tlacotalpan from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $92
  • Full Day Tour to Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas with Transportation: $92
  • Tour with Certified Guide to Xalapa, Xico and Coatepec: $95
  • Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $98

Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Veracruz $16
    Gainesville $49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Gainesville?

Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?

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 Gainesville in the Summer?

Both Gainesville and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 27°C (81°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Gainesville. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Veracruz 27°C (81°F) 
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Veracruz or Gainesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Gainesville. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Veracruz is a little warmer than Gainesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Veracruz 26°C (79°F) 
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Veracruz or Gainesville in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Veracruz is much warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Veracruz in January average around 21°C (71°F), and Gainesville averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Veracruz usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Veracruz 21°C (71°F) 
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Veracruz or Gainesville in the Spring?

Both Gainesville and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Veracruz is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (78°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Veracruz 26°C (78°F) 
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Veracruz

Veracruz Gainesville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (71°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Feb 22°C (71°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Mar 24°C (74°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 290 mm (11.4 in) 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 410 mm (16.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 346 mm (13.6 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Nov 25°C (76°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)