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

Should you visit La Paz or San Antonio?

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 San Antonio 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a historic, cultural, and colorful city. San Antonio is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food. See San Antonio travel costs.

La Paz and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or San Antonio?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Paz than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than La Paz, La Paz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Paz is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while San Antonio attracts visitors for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty. La Paz is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also well known for Balandra Beach. San Antonio is famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is La Paz different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both La Paz and San Antonio.

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 San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and San Antonio both to be very good 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.

San Antonio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both La Paz and San Antonio.

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 San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its live music scene. However, La Paz is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

La Paz is not a live music destination.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a good destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.

La Paz offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its old town. However, La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to San Antonio to see the old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or San Antonio?

La Paz is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio 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 San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is La Paz or San Antonio More Beautiful?

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

San Antonio is a beautiful place to visit, too. The RiverWalk feels almost like a European city and its filled with colors and festiveness.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

San Antonio is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a great destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is La Paz or San Antonio Better for Students?

San Antonio is a city with good options for students. However, La Paz is not popular with students.

San Antonio is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

La Paz is not popular with students.

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

La Paz is a good destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio 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 San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is La Paz or San Antonio a more walkable city?

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

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

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or San Antonio?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in La Paz than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the authentic city of La Paz. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in La Paz or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of La Paz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

The authentic city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting La Paz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of San Antonio. 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?

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 San Antonio in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and San Antonio. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as San Antonio. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio 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 San Antonio during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than San Antonio. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Paz as well as San Antonio. Many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than San Antonio. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or San Antonio in the Winter?

Both San Antonio and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than San Antonio. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and San Antonio averages at about 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than San Antonio. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and La Paz during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the natural beauty.

In April, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as San Antonio. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, 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 San Antonio. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than San Antonio. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and La Paz