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

Should you visit La Paz or Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara 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.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

La Paz and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara than La Paz. While La Paz is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Barbara is more popular for its resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Paz is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Santa Barbara is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is La Paz different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both La Paz and Santa Barbara.

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 Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Santa Barbara both to be excellent 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.

Santa Barbara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both La Paz and Santa Barbara.

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 Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is notable for its resorts. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Santa Barbara, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

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

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

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.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Both La Paz and Santa Barbara are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

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.

Santa Barbara offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its old town. However, La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Around Santa Barbara visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

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

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Both La Paz and Santa Barbara are excellent 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 Santa Barbara. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town 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.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

La Paz is not popular with students.

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

Both La Paz and Santa Barbara offer good public transit options.

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

Santa Barbara has some public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is La Paz or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

La Paz and Santa Barbara both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Santa Barbara?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than La Paz. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the authentic destination of La Paz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in La Paz or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the authentic destination of La Paz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Santa Barbara?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the wealthy destination of Santa Barbara. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Santa Barbara?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).

In July, La Paz usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, La Paz is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

La Paz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santa Barbara. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

La Paz is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Santa Barbara. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the spring, La Paz is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Santa Barbara. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and La Paz