A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America El Paso vs. Hilo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit El Paso or Hilo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between El Paso and Hilo can help you decide which place is right for you.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Hilo

Hilo is a laid back, mellow, and friendly town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

El Paso and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in El Paso or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than El Paso, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while El Paso is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Hilo is more touristy than El Paso and is known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is El Paso different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in El Paso or Hilo?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either El Paso or Hilo.

El Paso is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Hilo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in El Paso or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, El Paso is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hilo. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in El Paso. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

El Paso is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities El Paso has a few options to choose from. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

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 El Paso or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, El Paso is not a resort destination.

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

El Paso is not a resort destination.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, El Paso is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling 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.

El Paso is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is very good for its beaches. However, El Paso is not a beach destination.

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.

El Paso is not a beach destination.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Hilo specifically for its hiking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in El Paso or Hilo?

El Paso is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

El Paso has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

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

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, El Paso is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in El Paso. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is a very popular place for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Hilo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Hilo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

El Paso is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's little in the area that appeals to backpackers.

Is El Paso or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both El Paso and Hilo.

Public transit is mostly limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit 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 El Paso or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is very good for its walkability. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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.

El Paso is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is El Paso Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or El Paso?

How long in El Paso or Hilo?

Both El Paso 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 El Paso. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for El Paso, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than El Paso 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 El Paso or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of El Paso. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in El Paso or Hilo?

El Paso is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in El Paso or Hilo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of El Paso. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hilo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in El Paso or Hilo?

The low-key city of El Paso offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between El Paso and Hilo, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, El Paso or Hilo?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of El Paso 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.