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

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena? 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. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Pasadena travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Acapulco de Juarez than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Acapulco de Juarez is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. It is also well known for the cliff divers of La Quebrada. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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 Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena 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 Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

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 Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Acapulco de Juarez has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Pasadena has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Acapulco de Juarez for its luxury resorts. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

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

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Acapulco de Juarez for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Acapulco de Juarez. 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.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Acapulco de Juarez is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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 Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Acapulco de Juarez and Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

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

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Acapulco de Juarez and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than in Pasadena. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

The city of Acapulco de Juarez offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Pasadena. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

Acapulco de Juarez 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.

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

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

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

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pasadena 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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 Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Acapulco de Juarez or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Pasadena. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Pasadena. The autumn months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Pasadena. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Pasadena and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Pasadena. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Acapulco de Juarez