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

Should you visit La Paz or Berkeley?

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 Berkeley 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 authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See La Paz travel costs.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a progressive, diverse, and quirky city. Berkeley is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Berkeley travel costs.

La Paz and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Berkeley?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz than Berkeley, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. La Paz is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Berkeley is known for its nightlife and impressive beauty. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Berkeley is popular for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques.

How is La Paz different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

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

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 Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Berkeley both to be high quality destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit La Paz. 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.

Berkeley has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Is La Paz or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Berkeley is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Berkeley has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

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 Berkeley Better for Resorts?

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

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Berkeley is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Berkeley 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.

Berkeley is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Berkeley Better for Beaches?

La Paz is renowned for the beach. However, Berkeley 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.

Berkeley is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Berkeley?

Both La Paz and Berkeley are high quality shopping destinations.

La Paz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is La Paz or Berkeley More Beautiful?

Berkeley is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Berkeley is a beautiful place to visit, too. It has a nice campus and a unique setting that mixes an urban environment with a bayside location.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Berkeley Better for Families?

La Paz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

La Paz is known to be 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.

Berkeley is a family-friendly city. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is La Paz or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Berkeley are good 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.

Berkeley is a good city for couples to visit. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

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

Both La Paz and Berkeley 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 Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Is La Paz or Berkeley Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

La Paz is not popular with students.

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

Berkeley is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Berkeley can get you around easily. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

La Paz has some public transit options. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is La Paz or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Berkeley on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Berkeley?

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

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Berkeley. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than La Paz if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Berkeley.

One day in La Paz or Berkeley?

The city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in La Paz or Berkeley?

La Paz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Paz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berkeley. 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 Berkeley?

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quirky destination of Berkeley. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Berkeley?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Berkeley, 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 Berkeley?

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 Berkeley in the Summer?

Both Berkeley and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Berkeley because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is much warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, La Paz usually receives more rain than Berkeley. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

In October, La Paz is generally much warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Berkeley. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Berkeley in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Berkeley. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

La Paz is much warmer than Berkeley in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Berkeley. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Berkeley. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Berkeley in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Paz is much warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Berkeley averages at about 58°F (14°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Berkeley. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and La Paz