A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Maui vs. Ottawa for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Maui or Ottawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Maui or Ottawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Maui travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Maui and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Maui or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Maui. Although Maui and Ottawa are both popular with visitors, Maui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Maui is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also home to Haleakala National Park. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Maui different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Maui or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Maui or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ottawa is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ottawa. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Ottawa is a city with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Maui is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Maui is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Maui. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

People visit Maui specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Maui or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Maui.

Maui offers some nice shopping areas. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Ottawa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Maui or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Maui is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Maui makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Maui is not popular with students.

Is Maui or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ottawa is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Maui or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Ottawa is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

Maui is not a very walkable island. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Maui Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Maui?

How long in Maui or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Maui and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Ottawa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Maui, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Ottawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than Maui 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 Ottawa.

One day in Maui or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Maui or Ottawa?

Maui 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.

Ottawa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Five days in Maui or Ottawa?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly destination of Ottawa. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Maui or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Maui. This island 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.

The cultural city of Ottawa offers museums and food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maui and Ottawa, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ottawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ottawa 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Ottawa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Maui Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Maui or Ottawa?

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 Maui or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Maui as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the summer, Maui is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Maui in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In the summer, Maui often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Maui gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Maui usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Maui gets 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Maui or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Maui are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Maui this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In October, Maui is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Maui average around 78°F (26°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Maui gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Maui usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Maui gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Maui or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Maui during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Maui is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Maui averages around 72°F (22°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

It's quite sunny in Maui. In the winter, Maui often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Maui gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. Maui usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Maui gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Maui or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Maui and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Maui in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Maui is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Maui in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Maui gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Maui usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Maui gets 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Maui