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

Should you visit La Paz or Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a notable, colonial, and historic city. Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

La Paz and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

Both Saint Augustine and La Paz have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. La Paz is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Saint Augustine attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. La Paz is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Saint Augustine is famous for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is La Paz different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz
Saint Augustine

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

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 Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.


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

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Foodies will find both La Paz and Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Evening events are nice in both La Paz and Saint Augustine.

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 Saint Augustine. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.


Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz is very popular for its beaches. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a world-class destination for its old town. However, La Paz does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Saint Augustine is revered around the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Both La Paz and Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine More Beautiful?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

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

Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Both La Paz and Saint Augustine are high quality to visit with kids.

La Paz is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Augustine. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.


Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is notable for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

La Paz is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is La Paz or Saint Augustine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

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

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.


Is La Paz or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

La Paz
Saint Augustine

La Paz and Saint Augustine both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either La Paz or Saint Augustine. In our opinion, La Paz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in La Paz than Saint Augustine. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

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

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


  • How many days in La Paz or Saint Augustine? Ideal Length of Stay
    La Paz 2-4 
    Saint Augustine 3-4

One day in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

The beautiful 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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

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.

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


Five days in La Paz or Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Saint Augustine?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in 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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Augustine or La Paz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • La Paz Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    La Paz $132
    Saint Augustine $195

The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $132, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $195. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for La Paz and Saint Augustine in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Paz $47
    Saint Augustine $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Paz $94
    Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Saint Augustine

Looking for a hotel in La Paz or Saint Augustine? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in La Paz


Hotels in Saint Augustine


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: La Paz Hotel Prices and Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Paz $20
    Saint Augustine $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:

  • La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
  • La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Saint Augustine?

Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine and La Paz change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Paz $60
    Saint Augustine $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.

  • 3 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $77
  • 3 hrs SEAFOOD Tour in La Paz: $103

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Paz $11
    Saint Augustine $18

Tours and Activities in La Paz

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:

  • Mural and Sculpture Art Tour at the Peace Center: $40
  • Coral Farm Snorkel Tour: $55
  • Pearl Farm Experience and shop: $65
  • Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $83
  • City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $95
  • RZR Tour of Mogote Dunes and Sandboarding: $103
  • Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $105
  • holy spirit island tour: $108
  • La Paz Beaches Half Day Tour: $111
  • Holy Spirit Island Tour Sea Lions Snorkeling and Beach: $111
  • Most Popular Tour in La Paz Isla Espíritu Santo and Sea Lions: $122
  • Espiritu Santo Island Tour: $122

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Walking Audio Tour in St. Augustine: $9.75
  • Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
  • Bastions of St. Augustine Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
  • Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • St. Augustine's Original Ghostly Experience Walking Tour: $20
  • St. Augustine Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Paz $11
    Saint Augustine $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • St. Augustine Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Dark History Pub Crawl from Saint Augustine: $40
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Spirits with the Spirits haunted pub crawl - drinks included: $59
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129


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


Which is Bigger, La Paz or Saint Augustine?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    La Paz 30°C (86°F) 
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine this time of year.

La Paz is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    La Paz 27°C (80°F) 
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    La Paz 18°C (65°F) 
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, La Paz is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the spring, La Paz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    La Paz 23°C (73°F) 
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and La Paz

La Paz Saint Augustine
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (65°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 19°C (66°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 20°C (69°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 30°C (87°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 30°C (85°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 20°C (67°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)