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

Should you visit La Paz or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

La Paz and Roanoke: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Roanoke?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz than Roanoke, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. La Paz is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Roanoke is known for its hiking. La Paz is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is La Paz different from Roanoke?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Roanoke is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums and sights around town such as the Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Taubman Museum of Art. There's also the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and even the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

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

La Paz is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Roanoke offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both La Paz and Roanoke.

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

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Roanoke. There are local venues in the area that have drinks and often live music. You'll find jazz, country, rock, and bluegrass, particularly along Crooked Road in Franklin County.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke 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.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

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

La Paz is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Beaches?

La Paz is renowned for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in La Paz. 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.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Roanoke is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with mountain hikes. The Blue Ridge Mountains are crossed by trails that take you to waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and through serene forest. McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain, and Roaring Run Trail some of the best hikes in the area.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Roanoke?

La Paz is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Roanoke is a great destination for shopping. Market Street in Downtown Roanoke is lined with local vendors, particularly at the Historic Roanoke City Market. The town also has a mall and several shopping centers.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Families?

La Paz is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Roanoke is a family-friendly place to visit. The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with kid-friendly hiking trails and fun outdoor activities. You can visit the Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum or Smith Mountain Lake Farm. There's also Virginia Children's Theater.

Is La Paz or Roanoke Better for Couples?

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

Roanoke is a very popular place to visit for couples. Staying at a quaint bed and breakfast, tucked into the beautiful mountain setting is the perfect romantic getaway. Nearby there are vineyards and wine cellars, as well as gardens, hikes, and other outdoor activities.

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 Roanoke Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Roanoke is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

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

La Paz is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Roanoke is not known for its public transit.

While La Paz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Roanoke. There are buses as well as a free trolley service through the downtown, but you really do need a car to get most places.

Is La Paz or Roanoke a more walkable city?

La Paz is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

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

Roanoke is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

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

Should I spend more time in Roanoke or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Roanoke?

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

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke?

In La Paz, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Roanoke. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in La Paz or Roanoke?

In La Paz, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Paz has to offer.

Roanoke 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 Roanoke?

La Paz is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Roanoke. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Roanoke?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting La Paz. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Roanoke. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Roanoke?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Paz or Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Roanoke. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Paz is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the summer, La Paz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. La Paz usually gets less rain in July than Roanoke. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, La Paz is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 27°C (80°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Paz usually receives less rain than Roanoke. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Paz or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and La Paz during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. La Paz is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the winter, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Roanoke. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.

In the spring, La Paz is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Paz usually receives less rain than Roanoke. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Roanoke and La Paz