A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Paz vs. Austin for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit La Paz or Austin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Austin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

La Paz

La Paz is a cultural, beautiful, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See La Paz travel costs.

Austin

Austin is a eccentric, unconventional, and lively city. It's a big city with many activities to entertain visitors, too. Austin is a very beautiful destination, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food. See Austin travel costs.

La Paz and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Austin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Austin than La Paz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Austin is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Paz attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. La Paz is more touristy than Austin and is known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Austin is famous for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. It is also well known for The Texas Capital.

How is La Paz different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Austin and La Paz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Paz or Austin?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both La Paz and Austin.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Paz. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Austin. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Is the Food Better in La Paz or Austin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Austin is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Austin have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Austin just to party. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, La Paz is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Austin Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

La Paz is not a live music destination.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Austin is not a resort destination.

La Paz has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Austin is not a resort destination.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to La Paz to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Beaches?

La Paz is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

The beaches in La Paz are among the best in the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Hiking?

Austin is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Austin?

La Paz is a great destination for shopping. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

La Paz is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is La Paz or Austin More Beautiful?

Austin is a moderate city for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Austin is a very beautiful destination, too. The city has some nearby natural beauty as well as an eclectic style.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Families?

La Paz is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

La Paz is a very family-friendly place to visit. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Austin are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

La Paz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Austin is a good city for couples to visit. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both La Paz and Austin are high quality destinations for backpackers.

La Paz is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Students?

Austin is notable for students. However, La Paz is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Austin. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

La Paz is not popular with students.

Is La Paz or Austin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in La Paz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is La Paz or Austin a more walkable city?

La Paz is a great destination for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

La Paz is very walkable. The city is very walkable.

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is La Paz Worth Visiting? and Is Austin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Austin or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Paz and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Paz than in Austin. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Austin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Paz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Paz than Austin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Paz that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in La Paz or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of La Paz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Austin. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Paz or Austin?

La Paz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Austin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in La Paz or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Austin. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in La Paz or Austin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of La Paz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the entrepreneurial destination of Austin. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, 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 La Paz and Austin, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin than you might in La Paz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Paz Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Austin, 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 La Paz or Austin?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Paz or Austin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Austin. Most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Austin. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Austin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Austin. The autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

La Paz is a little warmer than Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the autumn, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Austin. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Austin. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than Austin. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and Austin averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Austin during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Austin. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Austin in the Spring?

Both Austin and La Paz during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Austin in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the spring, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Austin. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Austin. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Austin and La Paz