A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Hilo for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo? 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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a vibrant, built-up, and well-known city. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Hilo

Hilo is a mellow, friendly, and authentic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

Acapulco de Juarez and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Both Hilo and Acapulco de Juarez have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Hilo attracts visitors for its museums & sights, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Acapulco de Juarez is famous for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. Hilo is famous for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Hilo is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hilo. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

While most people don't head to Acapulco de Juarez specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Hilo is an experience not to be missed. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Acapulco de Juarez. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

Acapulco de Juarez is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Acapulco de Juarez is a great choice. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hilo is not known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Snorkeling is an option in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Acapulco de Juarez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

People visit Hilo specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Acapulco de Juarez has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Hilo is a very family-friendly destination. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for couples. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Acapulco de Juarez makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a great destination for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hilo is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo is not known for its public transit.

While Acapulco de Juarez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo a more walkable city?

Acapulco de Juarez and Hilo both are nice when exploring on foot.

Acapulco de Juarez is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Acapulco de Juarez. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Acapulco de Juarez 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 Hilo.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Acapulco de Juarez. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the laid back destination of Hilo. This town offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Acapulco de Juarez is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Hilo is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the laid back town of Hilo. Most people visit for the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Acapulco de Juarez. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the hiking. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

The vibrant city of Acapulco de Juarez offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Hilo, 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo?

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 Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Acapulco de Juarez during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Hilo in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Hilo. The shopping scene are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Hilo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Hilo. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally a little warmer than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Hilo in the Spring?

Both Hilo and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Hilo in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Hilo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Acapulco de Juarez