A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers West Palm Beach vs. Victoria for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Victoria?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Victoria? 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See West Palm Beach travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Victoria travel costs.

West Palm Beach and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

Both Victoria and West Palm Beach have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. West Palm Beach is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Victoria is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Victoria is well known for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is West Palm Beach different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

Victoria is a popular place for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Victoria is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

West Palm Beach has a large number of nightlife venues. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is an amazing beach area to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to West Palm Beach for its luxury resorts. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is an amazing beach area to visit for the beach. However, Victoria is not a beach destination.

West Palm Beach offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is a popular place for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

Victoria is a popular place for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either West Palm Beach or Victoria.

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Victoria is a very kid-friendly beach area. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both West Palm Beach and Victoria make for a superb place to visit.

West Palm Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Victoria is lacking in good options for its public transit.

West Palm Beach has some public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Public transit is generally limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is West Palm Beach or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a great city for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either West Palm Beach or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than West Palm Beach 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 Victoria.

One day in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

The beach area of West Palm Beach offers scuba diving and snorkeling 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.

The cultural destination of Victoria offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

West Palm Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The city of Victoria offers food and shopping. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Victoria?

West Palm Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in West Palm Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Victoria 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 West Palm Beach or Victoria?

West Palm Beach is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that West Palm Beach has to offer. This beach area offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Victoria. 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Victoria, 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 West Palm Beach or Victoria?

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 West Palm Beach or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Victoria. Most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Victoria. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Victoria. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

West Palm Beach is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 78°F (25°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In the winter, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in West Palm Beach in January average around 65°F (19°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, West Palm Beach usually receives less rain than Victoria. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and West Palm Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the beaches.

In April, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Victoria and West Palm Beach