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

Should you visit La Paz or Vail?

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 Vail 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 beautiful, authentic, and cultural city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See La Paz travel costs.

Vail

Vail is a upscale, resort-filled, and charming ski town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of Vail is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Vail travel costs.

La Paz and Vail: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Vail?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Vail than La Paz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Vail is better known for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Vail is more touristy than La Paz and is popular for its world-class skiing, charming mountain town atmosphere, and adventurous outdoor activities. Also, Vail is famous for The Vail Ski Resort. La Paz is well known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is La Paz different from Vail?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vail and La Paz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Skiing?

Vail is a world-class destination for snow skiing. However, La Paz is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Vail. This ski town has produced its share of Olympians. Vail is the third largest ski resort in the US and it has 31 lifts and 195 runs. There are five different bowls that offer beautiful views.

La Paz is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Paz or Vail?

La Paz is a great city for its historical sights. However, Vail 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.

Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

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

La Paz is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Vail is not as popular, but is still a nice ski town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

La Paz has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Vail area. The town has a diverse sampling of restaurants that include different ethnic options as well as taverns with comfort food. It's easy to find mountain-friendly restaurants where you can refuel during your ski vacation.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Nightlife?

Vail 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.

Vail has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Happy Hours start early, and then the partying can go late into the night. There are bars, lounges, breweries and live music that keep the atmosphere light and offer entertainment after your long day on the slopes. Do keep in mind that many places close or dramatically reduce their hours during the off-peak fall and spring months.

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 Vail Better for Music?

Vail is a ski town 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 Vail. You can often find live music at Shakedown Bar, Bridge Street Bar, and the Red Lion.

La Paz is not a live music destination.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Resorts?

Vail 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 Vail, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Designed as a resort town, Vail offers great accommodation. Nice resorts include Four Seasons Resort and Residences, the Ritz Carlton Club, and the Grand Hyatt.

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 Vail Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a great city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Vail is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Vail is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Beaches?

La Paz is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Vail is not a beach destination.

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.

Vail is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Hiking?

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

Vail is a popular spot for hiking. During the warmer months, this resort town is surrounded by world-class hiking trails. You can enjoy the wildflowers, search for wildlife, or take in the sweeping mountain views. Popular hikes near Vail include Booth Falls, Davos Trail, and Shrine Ridge.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Vail?

Both La Paz and Vail are excellent 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 Vail. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques and ski shops that sell everything from evening dresses to outdoor gear. It's easy to pop into the many shops around downtown Vail and find anything you might need.

Is La Paz or Vail More Beautiful?

Vail is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Vail is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It is a beautiful town that has stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Vail Better for Families?

Vail 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.

Vail is an extremely popular ski town to visit for families. With its world class skiing, rock climbing, ice skating, and ice cream, kids love this ski resort. The resort town has two terrain parks - Golden Peak and Avanti. Avanti is perfect for kids. It has small jumps, wide rails, and kid-friendly amenities. Golden Peak is designed for more advanced athletes. Vail also has nice beginner slopes that are great for kids.

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 Vail Better for Couples?

Vail 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.

Vail is a great ski town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy skiing and outdoor adventure will appreciate everything that this ski town has to offer. There are nice restaurants, beautiful gardens, and plenty of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Vail Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vail is not as popular, but is still a nice ski town for backpackers.

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

Vail is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This ski town isn't completely closed off to budget travelers as there are a couple of hostels around town.

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

Both La Paz and Vail offer notable public transit options.

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

Vail has some public transit options. There is a free bus service through the area.

Is La Paz or Vail a more walkable city?

Vail is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Vail on foot. The main downtown is pedestrian-only and perfect for popping in shops and restaurants.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Vail or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Vail?

Both La Paz and Vail have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vail than in La Paz. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 3-7 days is enough time in Vail.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Vail might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Vail?

La Paz is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Vail is a great place to explore. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. 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 Vail?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful destination of La Paz. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vail. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in La Paz or Vail?

The authentic city of La Paz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Vail is a small town with plenty to do. This ski town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Vail?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Vail, 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.