A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Ottawa for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa? 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.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Acapulco de Juarez than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Acapulco de Juarez, Acapulco de Juarez has more sights and attractions for tourists. Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums & sights. Acapulco de Juarez is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. It is also well known for the cliff divers of La Quebrada. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

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 Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa can be an enjoyable experience.

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ottawa. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Acapulco de Juarez just to party. 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

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.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

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

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

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.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Acapulco de Juarez.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to go shopping. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ottawa. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Acapulco de Juarez. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

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 Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for students. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa.

You'll find some public transit in Acapulco de Juarez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

While Ottawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

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

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than in Ottawa. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Ottawa. 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 Ottawa. 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Acapulco de Juarez. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Ottawa?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Ottawa is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural city of Ottawa. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Acapulco de Juarez. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Ottawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days 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.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the built-up destination of Acapulco de Juarez. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa 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 Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Ottawa and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Ottawa and Acapulco de Juarez during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the spring for the beaches.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Acapulco de Juarez