How Much It Costs To Spend a Week Vacationing in These 5 Florida Cities
Budgeting for a Florida vacation is challenging if you don’t know what city you want to visit. A week of theme park-hopping in Orlando can be more expensive than staying in some beach locales, and a beach town will typically cost more than an inland stay in the Sunshine State.
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The following costs are based on data from BudgetYourTrip.com, which compiles vacation costs using the budgets of actual travelers and information from travel companies. Travel costs to and from each destination, such as airfare, are not included.
Here’s a look at what it costs to vacation in these Florida cities.
Destin
According to BudgetYourTrip.com, a one-week trip to Destin for two people averages $2,683, with accommodations being the largest expense at $222 a day.
Located in the Florida panhandle, Destin is known for its beautiful beaches and emerald-green waters — and being the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” In addition to fishing, you can enjoy various water activities, like snorkeling and dolphin-watching tours. The area also offers shopping, golf and plenty of fresh seafood dining options.
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St. Augustine
A one-week trip to St. Augustine for two people averages $2,230. A double-occupancy room costs around $172 per day — less than in Destin — and food, transportation and other costs should be similarly lower.
Visitors to St. Augustine, the “Nation’s Oldest City,” on Florida’s northeast coast, can explore the city’s many historical sites and museums, go on a ghost tour, shop and dine on St. George Street and spend some time at the beach. It’s an excellent destination for exploring and relaxing.
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Ocala
A one-week trip for two to Ocala averages $1,169, considerably cheaper than some Florida beach destinations. Accommodations will only run you about $75 per night, which is a great deal for a beachside vacation. Additionally, many outdoor activities are reasonably priced. You can spend the day at Silver Springs for $2 per person or go tubing down Rainbow River for $30 per person.
If you’re not interested in beaching it but want to spend time outdoors, Ocala has more than 600 rivers and lakes for swimming, canoeing, fishing and other water activities. You can ride horses, hike and bike through the Ocala National Forest or visit Silver Springs State Park for a glass-bottom boat tour.
Cape Canaveral
A one-week trip to Cape Canaveral for two people averages $3,078. This is largely due to higher costs for accommodations, where a double-occupancy room can run you $311 per night.
This charming city, along Florida’s “Space Coast,” is home to the Kennedy Space Center, where you can experience interactive exhibits, see historic spacecraft and sometimes watch rocket launches. You can also go on a whale-watching excursion, visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge or try stand-up paddleboarding.
Orlando
Theme park visits make Orlando one of Florida’s pricier destinations, with an average of $4,488 for a two-person, one-week trip. A double-occupancy room will cost around $308 per night; but the real costs add up in the entertainment category, which easily runs into the hundreds each day as visitors are likely to buy admission into one of the many theme parks and activities.
Orlando is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld. However, if you’d rather skip the parks, Orlando also boasts many outdoor activities, including eco-tours, kayaking and airboat rides. There are also plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options on International Drive and at Disney Springs or Universal’s CityWalk.
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If you’ll need daily transportation during your stay, see if your hotel or resort provides a free shuttle or bus to any local sites or beaches. Or consider renting a car for the week. It might be cheaper than cabs or rideshares.
You can find vacation rental properties at most Florida destinations. Renting a condo or house with a kitchen can prevent the need to dine out for every meal. Or you can book a hotel that provides a complimentary breakfast.
There are plenty of inexpensive outdoor activities in Florida. Finding free and cheap entertainment options in your desired locale can help offset the cost of the pricier activities you’d like to do.
Check coupon sites like Groupon or LivingSocial for discounts on dining and entertainment, or find out if Go City passes are available for your destination, which can provide discounts at multiple attractions.
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