Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and La Paz 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.
Where Should I go: Leon or La Paz?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Leon and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Leon and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Leon or La Paz? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Leon change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLeon $12La Paz $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81La Paz $13
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53La Paz $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America and La Paz is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon and La Paz, 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 Leon or La Paz?
La Paz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Leon or La Paz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
In the summer, Leon is cooler than La Paz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 30°C (86°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. Leon usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Leon usually receives more rain than La Paz. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Leon or La Paz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leon as well as La Paz. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene.
In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the autumn, Leon often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
Leon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Leon or La Paz in the Winter?
Both La Paz and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Leon is a little warmer than La Paz in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives more sunshine than La Paz during winter. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leon usually receives less rain than La Paz. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Leon or La Paz in the Spring?
Both La Paz and Leon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Leon is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and La Paz averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leon. In the spring, Leon often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
Leon usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Leon
| Leon | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.