A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Paz vs. Portland, Maine for Beaches, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit La Paz or Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

La Paz and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz than Portland, Maine, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Portland, Maine is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. La Paz is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Portland, Maine is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is La Paz different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

La Paz is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

La Paz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in La Paz or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Paz is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in La Paz is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both La Paz and Portland, Maine.

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 Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a popular place for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting La Paz. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an amazing city to visit for the beach. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in La Paz. 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.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Portland, Maine?

La Paz is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

La Paz is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is well known for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

La Paz is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

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

La Paz is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known 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 quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is La Paz or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

La Paz is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Portland, Maine?

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

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

The cultural destination of La Paz offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Portland, Maine. 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.

A weekend in La Paz or Portland, Maine?

The city of La Paz offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. 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.

A week in La Paz or Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting La Paz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Portland, Maine. This coastal town 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.

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 Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Portland, Maine?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Portland, Maine. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Portland, Maine averages at about 69°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, La Paz is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

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 Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Portland, Maine can be very cold. La Paz is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

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

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and La Paz during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

In the spring, La Paz is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Portland, Maine averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Portland, Maine. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and La Paz