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

Should you visit La Paz or Maui?

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 Maui 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 beautiful, authentic, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

La Paz and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Maui?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Maui than La Paz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Maui is better known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while La Paz is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Maui is more touristy than La Paz and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Also, Maui is famous for Haleakala National Park. La Paz is well known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is La Paz different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

La Paz is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Nightlife?

La Paz is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

La Paz has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui 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 Maui, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

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 La Paz or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both La Paz and Maui offer excellent scuba diving or snorkeling.

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.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Beaches?

Both La Paz and Maui are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

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.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Around Maui visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Maui?

La Paz is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an extremely popular island to visit for families. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in La Paz. 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.

Is La Paz or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Maui is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

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 Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

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

La Paz is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is La Paz or Maui a more walkable city?

La Paz is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Maui is not a very walkable city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Maui?

Both La Paz and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in La Paz. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Maui 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 Maui?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. 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.

A weekend in La Paz or Maui?

La Paz is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Maui is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in La Paz or Maui?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the cultural destination of La Paz. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in La Paz or Maui?

The authentic city of La Paz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the idyllic destination of Maui. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit La Paz or Maui?

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 Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Maui. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

La Paz is a little warmer than Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Paz usually receives more rain than Maui. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Maui. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, La Paz is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Paz in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the autumn, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Maui. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Maui. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, La Paz is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 18°C (65°F), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Maui. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and La Paz during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

La Paz is around the same temperature as Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the spring, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Maui. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Maui. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and La Paz