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

Should you visit La Paz or Seattle?

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 Seattle 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Seattle is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Seattle travel costs.

La Paz and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than La Paz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Paz is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is La Paz different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a city with good options for its theatre productions. However, La Paz is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

La Paz is not a theatre destination.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Seattle 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.

Seattle has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Seattle has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is notable for its live music scene. However, La Paz is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

La Paz is not a live music destination.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Resorts?

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

Seattle is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Beaches?

La Paz is renowned for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Seattle?

La Paz is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is La Paz or Seattle More Beautiful?

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

Seattle is a beautiful place to visit, too. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Families?

La Paz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

La Paz is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is La Paz or Seattle Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

La Paz is not popular with students.

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

Both La Paz and Seattle offer good public transit options.

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

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is La Paz or Seattle a more walkable city?

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

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

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Seattle?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Seattle 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle. 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 Seattle?

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 museums and theater when visiting the progressive big city of Seattle. This city 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Seattle?

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

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Seattle. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In October, La Paz is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the autumn, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Seattle. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit La Paz or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Seattle. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

La Paz is much warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Seattle. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Seattle. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, La Paz is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the spring, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Seattle. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and La Paz