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

Should you visit La Paz or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena 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 authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

La Paz and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz than Pasadena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. La Paz is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Pasadena is known for its nightlife. La Paz is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is La Paz different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both La Paz and Pasadena.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Pasadena both to be very good 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.

Pasadena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is La Paz or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena 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.

Pasadena has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

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 La Paz or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

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

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an amazing city to visit for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

La Paz offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Pasadena?

Both La Paz and Pasadena are very good 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 Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is La Paz or Pasadena Better for Families?

La Paz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

La Paz is known to be 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is La Paz or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Both La Paz and Pasadena are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

La Paz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

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

La Paz is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

La Paz is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

Both La Paz and Pasadena offer good public transit options.

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

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is La Paz or Pasadena a more walkable city?

La Paz is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Paz and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Paz than in Pasadena. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

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

The city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pasadena. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in La Paz or Pasadena?

La Paz 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Paz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pasadena 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 Pasadena?

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Pasadena. This city 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Paz and Pasadena, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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 Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Pasadena?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Pasadena averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In July, La Paz usually receives more rain than Pasadena. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, La Paz is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

La Paz usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Pasadena. Many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

La Paz is a little warmer than Pasadena in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Pasadena. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, La Paz is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Pasadena averages at about 62°F (17°C).

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Pasadena. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and La Paz