A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Elena vs. La Paz for Backpackers, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Elena or La Paz?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santa Elena and La Paz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a tranquil, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

La Paz

La Paz is a authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See La Paz travel costs.

Santa Elena and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Elena or La Paz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Paz. Although Santa Elena and La Paz are both popular with visitors, La Paz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Santa Elena is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Santa Elena is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach.

How is Santa Elena different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Paz is great for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around La Paz. 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.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

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

La Paz is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

La Paz is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities La Paz has a few options to choose from. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Most people don't head to Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Beaches?

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

La Paz offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Hiking?

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

Santa Elena is a popular spot for hiking. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Elena or La Paz?

La Paz is great for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Santa Elena is a great destination for shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz More Beautiful?

Santa Elena is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Families?

Both Santa Elena and La Paz are very good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Elena. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

La Paz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Couples?

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

Santa Elena is a very popular place to visit for couples. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

La Paz is a good town 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 Santa Elena or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Santa Elena. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

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

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

Santa Elena and La Paz both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Santa Elena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

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

Is Santa Elena or La Paz a more walkable city?

La Paz is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Santa Elena is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

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

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Santa Elena?

How long in Santa Elena or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Santa Elena or La Paz. In our opinion, La Paz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Paz than Santa Elena. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Elena. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful city of La Paz. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Santa Elena or La Paz?

Santa Elena is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of La Paz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Santa Elena or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Elena. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The cultural city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santa Elena or La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. This town 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting La Paz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena is in Central America and La Paz is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santa Elena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Elena 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Santa Elena.

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

When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or La Paz?

La Paz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Santa Elena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Paz in the Summer?

Both La Paz and Santa Elena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Santa Elena often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in July than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

Santa Elena is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October.

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Paz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as La Paz. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Santa Elena is much warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Elena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the winter, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Santa Elena usually gets less rain in January than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season.

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Santa Elena is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 29°C (85°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than La Paz. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Santa Elena