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

Should you visit Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a cultural, welcoming, and natural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a built-up, well-known, and vibrant city. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai is bigger than Acapulco de Juarez, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Acapulco de Juarez is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Acapulco de Juarez and is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Acapulco de Juarez is well known for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs.

How is Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Chiang Mai on the map. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

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 Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Chiang Mai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

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 Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Mai 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.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

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

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Chiang Mai 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.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai 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.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Chiang Mai is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

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 Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez are superb family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

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.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chiang Mai is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

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

Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Chiang Mai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Acapulco de Juarez has a few public transit options. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez are notable when it comes to walkability.

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

Acapulco de Juarez is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

In either Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than Acapulco de Juarez because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Acapulco de Juarez.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Chiang Mai. 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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai is a laid-back big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai is a popular place to visit. Chiang Mai is a natural city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

Acapulco de Juarez, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, 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 Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez?

Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 224 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez in the Autumn?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez in the Winter?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Chiang Mai is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 272 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Acapulco de Juarez in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Acapulco de Juarez. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Acapulco de Juarez. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Acapulco de Juarez during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 274 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Chiang Mai