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

Should you visit Veracruz or Santa Fe?

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

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Santa Fe?

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 Fe

Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico as well as the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1607. It has become a popular travel destination due to the surrounding scenic beauty, its long history, cultural diversity especially with its proximity to American Indian pueblos and culture, and a rich concentration of arts, music, and food.

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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Fe 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
    Santa Fe Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Veracruz $143
    Santa Fe $190

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $143, while the average daily cost in Santa Fe is $190. 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 Fe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $49
    Santa Fe $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $98
    Santa Fe $162
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Santa Fe

Looking for a hotel in Veracruz or Santa Fe? 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 Santa Fe


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 Fe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $26
    Santa Fe $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

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

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe

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

  • New Mexico: Private Transfer from Santa Fe Regional Airport: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Santa Fe?

Prices for flights to both Santa Fe 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
    Santa Fe $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe

For Santa Fe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $187
  • Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
  • Santa Fe Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour: $213
  • Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $234
  • Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $239

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Veracruz $13
    Santa Fe $17

Tours and Activities in Veracruz

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

  • 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $127
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $23
  • Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $25
  • Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
  • City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
  • Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $98
  • 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
  • Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $87
  • Full-Day Tour to El Tajin and Vanilla Factory from Veracruz: $138
  • Jalcomulco Rapids Adventure from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $141

Tours and Activities in Santa Fe

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

  • 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
  • Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Studio Tour: $35
  • Downtown Santa Fe Walking Wine, History, & Tapas Tour: $249
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Santa Fe NM: $15
  • Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $189
  • Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe: $185
  • Private Festive Tour of Santa Fe’s Christmas Highlights: $349
  • Private Walking Tour of Santa Fe’s Historic Sites: $866
  • Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $159
  • Santa Fe Architectural Walking Tour: $136
  • Santa Fe Art and History Small Group Bike Tour: $135
  • Santa Fe Botanical Garden General Admission Ticket : $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Veracruz $16
    Santa Fe $9.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:

  • Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18
  • Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Join in Wine Tours: $145


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


Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Santa Fe?

Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santa Fe. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Santa Fe, 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.