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

Should you visit La Paz or Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a laid back, scenic, and relaxing island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

La Paz and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Saint Simons?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Paz. Although La Paz and Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. La Paz is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also well known for Balandra Beach. Saint Simons is famous for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.

How is La Paz different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Foodies will find both La Paz and Saint Simons both to be excellent 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.

Saint Simons has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

La Paz is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both La Paz and Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

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.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint Simons. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Saint Simons?

Both La Paz and Saint Simons are excellent 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 Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Both La Paz and Saint Simons are excellent to visit with kids.

La Paz is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Simons. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

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

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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 Saint Simons Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Paz is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options 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.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

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

La Paz is a popular place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons 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 quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is La Paz or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

La Paz is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either La Paz or Saint Simons. In our opinion, La Paz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in La Paz than Saint Simons. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

In La Paz, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Paz or Saint Simons?

La Paz is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

You'll find nightlife and food around the authentic destination of La Paz. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Simons. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Saint Simons?

La Paz is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, La Paz or Saint Simons?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Saint Simons, 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 Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons in the Summer?

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

In July, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Simons receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

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

La Paz is a little warmer than Saint Simons in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Saint Simons. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Simons in the Winter?

Both Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, La Paz is much warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and Saint Simons averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Saint Simons in the Spring?

Both Saint Simons 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, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

In April, La Paz is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the spring, La Paz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Saint Simons. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and La Paz