A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland, Maine vs. El Paso for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Portland, Maine or El Paso?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or El Paso? 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.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a scenic, picturesque, and seaside coastal town. Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See El Paso travel costs.

Portland, Maine and El Paso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Portland, Maine than El Paso. While El Paso is larger than Portland, Maine, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while El Paso is more popular for its museums and attractions. Portland, Maine is more touristy than El Paso and is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Also, Portland, Maine is famous for The Portland Head Light. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is Portland, Maine different from El Paso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

El Paso is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around El Paso. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or El Paso? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Portland, Maine and El Paso can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Portland, Maine area. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around El Paso. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Portland, Maine and El Paso.

Portland, Maine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

If you're looking for night time activities El Paso has a few options to choose from. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a very popular place for its beaches. However, El Paso is not a beach destination.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

El Paso is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is very good for its hiking trails. However, El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

Shopping is a popular activity in both El Paso and Portland, Maine.

Many visitors go to Portland, Maine to go shopping. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in El Paso. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, El Paso is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

El Paso is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Portland, Maine or El Paso.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland, Maine. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

El Paso offers lots of family activities. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Couples?

Portland, Maine is very good for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

El Paso is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Portland, Maine or El Paso a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine and El Paso both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

El Paso is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is El Paso Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in El Paso or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Portland, Maine or El Paso to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Portland, Maine than El Paso because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 1-2 days is enough time in El Paso.

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

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

One day in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

In Portland, Maine, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The undiscovered destination of El Paso offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

In Portland, Maine, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portland, Maine has to offer.

The city of El Paso offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

El Paso is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Portland, Maine or El Paso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting El Paso. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Portland, Maine and El Paso, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is El Paso Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or El Paso?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and El Paso, 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.