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

Should you visit Guadalajara or Berkeley?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guadalajara or Berkeley, 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.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Guadalajara and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Guadalajara or Berkeley?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Guadalajara than Berkeley. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Guadalajara is very popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Berkeley is more touristy than Guadalajara and is popular for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Guadalajara is famous for its mariachi music, tequila, and many festivals. It is also well known for the Guadalajara Cathedral.

How is Guadalajara different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Berkeley and Guadalajara.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Guadalajara can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Guadalajara and Berkeley can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Guadalajara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Berkeley makes for a great culinary experience. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Is Guadalajara or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Guadalajara and Berkeley.

Many people head to Guadalajara for the nightlife scene. 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.

Berkeley has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is Guadalajara or Berkeley Better for its Old Town?

Guadalajara is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Guadalajara to see the historical old town. 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.

Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Guadalajara or Berkeley?

If you're looking to go shopping, Guadalajara and Berkeley both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Berkeley is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Guadalajara or Berkeley Better for Families?

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

Berkeley offers lots of family activities. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Berkeley Better for Couples?

Guadalajara and Berkeley are both nice to visit as a couple.

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.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Guadalajara or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Guadalajara and Berkeley are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Guadalajara. There are plenty of hostels and cheap hotels around town.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Is Guadalajara or Berkeley Better for Students?

Berkeley is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Guadalajara is not popular with students.

Berkeley is a great city to visit as a student. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Guadalajara is not popular with students.

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

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Guadalajara does not have public transit.

Public transit in Berkeley is top-notch. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

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 Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Guadalajara is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Berkeley is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Guadalajara?

How long in Guadalajara or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Guadalajara and Berkeley. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Berkeley than Guadalajara. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Guadalajara or Berkeley?

The city of Guadalajara offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Berkeley. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Guadalajara or Berkeley?

Guadalajara is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Guadalajara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quirky destination of Berkeley. This city 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 Berkeley?

Guadalajara is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The progressive city of Berkeley offers shopping and museums. 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 Berkeley?

Guadalajara is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Berkeley. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guadalajara and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley 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 Berkeley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Guadalajara or Berkeley?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Guadalajara and Berkeley, 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.