Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Veracruz?
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 Veracruz or Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Santa Cruz?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Veracruz Prices
Mexico PricesSanta Cruz Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $143Santa Cruz $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $143, 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 Veracruz and Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $49Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $98Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $26Santa Cruz $40
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 Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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
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Food Meals for one dayVeracruz $78Santa 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.Veracruz $13Santa Cruz $18
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $220
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups: $110
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided Electric Bike Tour (eBike): $110
- Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour : $110
- Guided eBike Tour: $120
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $16Santa 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 comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Santa Cruz, we can see that Santa Cruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Santa Cruz?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Veracruz is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Veracruz 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 Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
Veracruz is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Santa Cruz. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Veracruz is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Veracruz in January average around 21°C (71°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).
Veracruz usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Veracruz is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 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.