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

Should you visit La Paz or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See La Paz travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Phoenix travel costs.

La Paz and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Paz than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than La Paz, La Paz has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. La Paz is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is La Paz different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

La Paz is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both La Paz and Phoenix.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

La Paz is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

La Paz is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Phoenix?

La Paz is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Families?

La Paz is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in La Paz. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is La Paz or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

La Paz is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

La Paz is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

While La Paz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is La Paz or Phoenix a more walkable city?

La Paz is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Paz and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Paz than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Phoenix 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 La Paz.

One day in La Paz or Phoenix?

In La Paz, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phoenix. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in La Paz or Phoenix?

In La Paz, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Paz has to offer.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

La Paz is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting La Paz. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 La Paz or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, La Paz is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the summer, La Paz often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in July than Phoenix. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Paz usually receives less rain than Phoenix. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Paz or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and La Paz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

La Paz is a little warmer than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the winter, La Paz often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in January than Phoenix. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Phoenix. Many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, La Paz is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Paz usually receives less rain than Phoenix. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and La Paz