A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. La Paz for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Florianopolis or La Paz?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Paz? 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.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a scenic, vibrant, and relaxing city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Florianopolis travel costs.

La Paz

La Paz is a beautiful, authentic, and cultural city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See La Paz travel costs.

Florianopolis and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Florianopolis or La Paz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Paz than Florianopolis. While Florianopolis is larger than La Paz, La Paz has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Paz is better known for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Florianopolis is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and hiking. La Paz is more touristy than Florianopolis and is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Also, La Paz is famous for Balandra Beach. Florianopolis is well known for its sandy beaches, world-class surfing, and beautiful nature.

How is Florianopolis different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Florianopolis or La Paz?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

La Paz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Florianopolis. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

Is the Food Better in Florianopolis or La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Florianopolis and La Paz both to be excellent destinations.

Florianopolis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

Dining out in La Paz is an experience not to be missed. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Florianopolis is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Florianopolis has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Resorts?

Florianopolis is notable for its resorts. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Florianopolis, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a wide range of resorts that include everything from 5 star to more budget-friendly. There are also all-inclusive resorts and smaller, more personal places.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Florianopolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting La Paz. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Florianopolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Florianopolis and La Paz are terrific choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Florianopolis. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

With world-famous beaches, La Paz is a very popular vacation destination. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Hiking?

Florianopolis is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Florianopolis is a popular spot for hiking. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Florianopolis or La Paz?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

La Paz is well-known for its shopping. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Many visitors go to Florianopolis to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Families?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, La Paz is very family-friendly. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Florianopolis. There are many outdoor activities, sports, beaches, and parks in the city. If your kids like to run around and have fun, you'll find some diverse experiences here.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Florianopolis and La Paz make for a notable place to visit.

Florianopolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the beautiful beaches and walking paths in the area. There's impressive natural beauty and a touch of undiscovered charm.

La Paz is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Florianopolis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular destination in Brazil, it does have a huge appeal with surfers.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Florianopolis and La Paz.

Florianopolis has some public transit options. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

You'll find some public transit in La Paz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Florianopolis or La Paz a more walkable city?

La Paz is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Florianopolis is not a walkable destination.

La Paz is a very walkable city. The city is very walkable.

Florianopolis is not a walkable destination. Most people get around the city with a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Florianopolis Worth Visiting? and Is La Paz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Florianopolis?

How long in Florianopolis or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Florianopolis or La Paz. In our opinion, La Paz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Paz than Florianopolis. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Florianopolis, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Paz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Florianopolis 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 La Paz.

One day in Florianopolis or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Florianopolis. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of La Paz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Florianopolis or La Paz?

Florianopolis is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Florianopolis or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Florianopolis. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the cultural destination of La Paz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Florianopolis or La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Florianopolis. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or La Paz?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and La Paz, 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 Florianopolis or La Paz?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Florianopolis is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Paz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as La Paz. Many visitors come to Florianopolis in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Florianopolis is cooler than La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than La Pazin July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than La Pazin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Paz in the Autumn?

Both La Paz and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than La Pazin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

In July, Florianopolis is generally around the same temperature as La Pazin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than La Pazin January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than La Pazin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Paz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and La Paz. The beaches are the main draw to Florianopolis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches.

Florianopolis is cooler than La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than La Pazin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Florianopolis