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

Should you visit La Paz or Whistler?

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 Whistler 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.

Whistler

Whistler is a outdoorsy, charming, and adventurous village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and food. See Whistler travel costs.

La Paz and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Whistler?

Both Whistler and La Paz have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. La Paz is very popular for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Whistler attracts visitors for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Whistler is more touristy than La Paz and is known for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. La Paz is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is La Paz different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is La Paz or Whistler Better for Skiing?

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

Visitors will find world class skiing in Whistler. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

La Paz is not a skiing destination.

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

La Paz is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Paz can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Whistler 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.

Whistler has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

Is La Paz or Whistler Better for Nightlife?

Whistler 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.

Whistler has plenty to do after the sun goes down. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

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 Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler 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 Whistler, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

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 Whistler Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Whistler Better for Beaches?

La Paz is renowned for its beaches. However, Whistler is not a beach destination.

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.

Whistler is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or Whistler Better for Hiking?

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

Around Whistler visitors will find world-class hiking trails. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Whistler?

La Paz is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit 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 Whistler. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is La Paz or Whistler More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Whistler Better for Families?

Whistler 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.

Whistler is an extremely popular village to visit for families. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Whistler Better for Couples?

Whistler is notable for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Whistler is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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 Whistler Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both La Paz and Whistler are high quality destinations for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Whistler. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Whistler is not a good village for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is La Paz or Whistler a more walkable city?

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

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

Whistler is a very walkable destination. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Whistler or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Whistler?

In either La Paz or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Whistler than La Paz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

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

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

The city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Whistler. 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 Whistler?

La Paz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Paz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Whistler is a great place to explore. 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 Whistler?

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Whistler. This village 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between La Paz and Whistler, we can see that Whistler is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Whistler?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler 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 Whistler because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Paz is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Whistler. 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 Whistler during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Whistler. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

La Paz is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the autumn, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Whistler. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Whistler. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Whistler. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches. Additionally, many visitors come to Whistler in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, La Paz is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

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 Whistler. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and La Paz