A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guadalajara vs. Bangor for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Guadalajara or Bangor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guadalajara or Bangor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is a vibrant, cultural, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Guadalajara and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good public transit
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Guadalajara. Although Guadalajara and Bangor are popular destinations, Guadalajara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Guadalajara is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Bangor attracts visitors for its small town charm. Guadalajara is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its mariachi music, tequila, and many festivals. It is also well known for the Guadalajara Cathedral. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Guadalajara different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Guadalajara. It's a city that's filled with culture and history, with many impressive landmarks such as the Guadalajara Cathedral. Also make sure you visit the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas, Expiatory Temple, the Government Palace, and the Regional Museum of Guadalajara.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.


Is the Food Better in Guadalajara or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Guadalajara is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine uses some key ingredients such as corn tortillas, chilis, and beans. You'll find a lot of street food which includes tacos and tortas as well as restaurant dishes like birria (meat stew), pozole (hominy soup), and fish ceviche.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Guadalajara offers plenty to do in the evening. The city comes to life at night. You'll find vibrant dance clubs, live music, and traditional bars. The craft beer scene has also grown in recent years. The most active areas are around Chapultepec Avenue and Zapopan.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for its Old Town?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Bangor does not have a historic old town.

Guadalajara is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The city center is filled with Spanish colonial architecture. With a walking tour you will find baroque, neoclassical, renaissance, and Gothic style buildings that highlight the city's long running past and rich history.

Bangor does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Guadalajara. One of the best shopping streets is Avenida Juarez. A must-see stop is also the large indoor market of Mercado Libertad. You'll also find shopping centers and retail outlets around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for Families?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Bangor is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Guadalajara is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bangor offers lots of family activities. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Guadalajara is not the most family-friendly destination. While it's not the most popular destination for families, those who visit will enjoy exploring the nature parks or amusement parks.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for Couples?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Guadalajara is a good city for couples to visit. It's filled with nice architecture, a vibrant nightlife scene, and great urban parks, making it a nice and romantic destination for couples.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.


Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Guadalajara is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels and cheap hotels around town.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Bangor is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Guadalajara does not have public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Guadalajara does not have public transit. There's a bus system as well as a metro system with two lines, which are primarily used by commuters.

Is Guadalajara or Bangor a more walkable city?

Guadalajara
Bangor

Guadalajara is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Guadalajara is a very walkable destination. The city center is pedestrian-friendly. This is also where you'll find most of the sights.

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.


For even more information, also check out Is Guadalajara Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Guadalajara?

How long in Guadalajara or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Guadalajara or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Guadalajara than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Guadalajara, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Guadalajara than Bangor 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 Guadalajara.


  • How many days in Guadalajara or Bangor? Ideal Length of Stay
    Guadalajara 2-3 
    Bangor 1-2

One day in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Guadalajara. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming town of Bangor. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Guadalajara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Bangor. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Guadalajara or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Guadalajara. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The welcoming town of Bangor offers museums and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.


A week in Guadalajara or Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Guadalajara. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Bangor. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bangor or Guadalajara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guadalajara is $117, while the average daily cost in Bangor is $197. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Guadalajara and Bangor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guadalajara $42
    Bangor $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guadalajara $84
    Bangor $228
Compare Hotels in Guadalajara and Bangor

Looking for a hotel in Guadalajara or Bangor? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Guadalajara


Hotels in Bangor


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Guadalajara Hotel Prices and Bangor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guadalajara $39
    Bangor $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara

Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Guadalajara Airport: $26
  • Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Guadalajara, Chalapa & Tequila Hotels: $63
  • Private transfer: Guadalajara to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): $73
  • Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $76
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:

  • Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $69
  • Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Guadalajara or Bangor?

Prices for flights to both Bangor and Guadalajara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guadalajara $48
    Bangor $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara

For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $111
  • Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $149
  • VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guadalajara $28
    Bangor $45

Tours and Activities in Guadalajara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.

  • Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
  • 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
  • Orendain Classic Tour: $20
  • Guadalajara City Tour: $20
  • Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
  • Private Tasting Tour Hacienda de Oro, Amatitan Jalisco: $22
  • Michin Aquarium Guadalajara ticket: $28
  • ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
  • Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bangor are as follows:


  • Children's Museum (for 4)
    $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guadalajara $18
    Bangor $23

Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara: $25
  • Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
  • Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
  • Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $173
  • Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
  • Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
  • Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
  • Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209


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

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


Which is Bigger, Guadalajara or Bangor?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Guadalajara and Bangor, 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.