A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Paz vs. Tampa for Beaches, Food, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Families

Should you visit La Paz or Tampa?

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 Tampa 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See La Paz travel costs.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

La Paz and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Tampa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Paz than Tampa. While Tampa is larger than La Paz, La Paz has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its big city activities. La Paz is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is La Paz different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is La Paz or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

La Paz is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

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

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is La Paz or Tampa Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tampa is lacking in options 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.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Is La Paz or Tampa Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an amazing city to visit for the beach. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Tampa?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Paz or Tampa Better for Families?

Both La Paz and Tampa 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 Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is La Paz or Tampa Better for Couples?

La Paz is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

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

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

La Paz is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is La Paz or Tampa a more walkable city?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Tampa or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Tampa?

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

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Tampa. 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 Tampa. 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 Tampa 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 Tampa?

In La Paz, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this cultural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. 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 Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Tampa 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 Tampa?

La Paz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of La Paz. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Tampa. 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 Tampa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of La Paz. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the low-key destination of Tampa. This city 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 Tampa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Tampa?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Tampa, 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 Tampa?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Paz or Tampa in the Summer?

Both Tampa and La Paz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Tampa averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the summer, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Tampa. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun.

Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Paz usually gets less rain in July than Tampa. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Tampa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Tampa. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In October, La Paz is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Tampa fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during autumn. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Paz usually receives less rain than Tampa. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Paz or Tampa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Tampa. 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 Tampa because of the cuisine.

La Paz is a little warmer than Tampa in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the winter, La Paz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in January than Tampa. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Tampa in the Spring?

Both Tampa and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In the spring, La Paz is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Tampa averages at about 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. 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 Tampa during spring. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Paz usually receives less rain than Tampa. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tampa and La Paz