A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Paz vs. Bar Harbor for Beaches, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit La Paz or Bar Harbor?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Bar Harbor can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

La Paz

La Paz is a cultural, beautiful, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

La Paz and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz. Although La Paz and Bar Harbor are popular destinations, La Paz has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Paz is very popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. La Paz is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also well known for Balandra Beach. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is La Paz different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Paz is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Paz. 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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Bar Harbor both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit La Paz. 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.

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

La Paz is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both La Paz and Bar Harbor have nice options.

With a selection of resorts, La Paz makes a nice vacation spot. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

La Paz is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

La Paz is terrific for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

La Paz is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Bar Harbor. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

Both La Paz and Bar Harbor are great shopping destinations.

La Paz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

La Paz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

La Paz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is notable for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

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 La Paz or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

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

La Paz is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

La Paz has a few public transit options. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is La Paz or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

La Paz and Bar Harbor both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Bar Harbor is a very walkable destination. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Paz and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Paz than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Bar Harbor. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Bar Harbor 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 La Paz or Bar Harbor?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the authentic city of La Paz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of La Paz, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bar Harbor 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.

Five days in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

La Paz, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. 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.

A week in La Paz or Bar Harbor?

La Paz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Bar Harbor?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Bar Harbor, 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 La Paz or Bar Harbor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Paz or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In July, La Paz is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

La Paz is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, La Paz is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and La Paz