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

Should you visit Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

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 Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez. 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.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known, vibrant, and built-up city. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Acapulco de Juarez. While Acapulco de Juarez is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bilbao is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Acapulco de Juarez is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Acapulco de Juarez is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Bilbao different from Acapulco de Juarez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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 Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Acapulco de Juarez is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Acapulco de Juarez. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

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

Acapulco de Juarez is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is well known for the beache. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao offers a nice historic old town area. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

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 Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Acapulco de Juarez is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

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 Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Students?

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

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you to most places easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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.

Is Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez a more walkable city?

Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez both are good when exploring on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable place. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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.

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

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

How long in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

In either Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Acapulco de Juarez.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

One day in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Bilbao. This city offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

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

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.

Five days in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Bilbao. 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.

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.

A week in Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

Bilbao 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the well-known 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and Acapulco de Juarez 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 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez, 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 Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez?

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 Bilbao or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Bilbao is generally much colder than Acapulco de Juarez. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 245 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Acapulco de Juarez. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bilbao is much colder than Acapulco de Juarez in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 272 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches.

In the spring, Bilbao is much colder than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 274 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Acapulco de Juarez. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Bilbao