A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Maui vs. Vancouver for Attractions, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Maui or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Maui or Vancouver? 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 stunning, idyllic, and adventure-filled island. Many visitors also come to Maui because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Maui travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a scenic, diverse, and friendly city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vancouver travel costs.

Maui and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Maui or Vancouver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vancouver. Although Maui and Vancouver are popular destinations, Vancouver has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vancouver is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Maui attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Maui is more touristy than Vancouver and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Vancouver is famous for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. It is also well known for Stanley Park.

How is Maui different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Vancouver are among the most recognizable in the world. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

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 Vancouver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Vancouver is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

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 Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Vancouver know how to have a good time. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

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 Vancouver Better for Resorts?

Maui is great for its luxury resorts. However, Vancouver is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. 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.

Vancouver is not a resort destination.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Vancouver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Vancouver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Beaches?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Maui and Vancouver both have amazing trails.

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.

Many people visit Vancouver specifically for its hiking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Is the Shopping Better in Maui or Vancouver?

Vancouver is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Vancouver make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Maui or Vancouver More Beautiful?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Maui because of it's amazing beauty. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Families?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. 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.

Vancouver is a very kid-friendly island. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Maui and Vancouver make for a amazing place to visit.

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.

For those traveling as a couple, Vancouver has plenty to offer. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

Is Maui or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Vancouver is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available 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 Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is a great destination for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

Maui is not popular with students.

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

Vancouver is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Vancouver has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain 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 Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Vancouver on foot is easy. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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 Vancouver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Maui?

How long in Maui or Vancouver?

In either Maui or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than Vancouver because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Maui, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

One day in Maui or Vancouver?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Maui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vancouver is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning destination of Maui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver is a fun place to experience. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Maui or Vancouver?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the breathtaking island of Maui. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Vancouver is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Maui or Vancouver?

Maui is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Maui, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The outdoorsy city of Vancouver offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maui and Vancouver, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

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

When is the best time to visit Maui or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Maui during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Maui is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Maui average around 79°F (26°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Maui. In the summer, Maui often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Maui gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Maui usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Maui gets 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Maui and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

Maui is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Maui averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Maui gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Maui usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Maui gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Maui as well as Vancouver. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. In the winter, Maui is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Maui in January average around 72°F (22°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In the winter, Maui often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Maui gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. Maui usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Maui gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver and Maui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Maui is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Maui average around 74°F (24°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Maui gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Maui usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Maui gets 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Maui