A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Acapulco de Juarez for Nightlife, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Malaga

Malaga is a historic, beautiful, and friendly port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known, vibrant, and built-up city. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez are both popular with visitors, Malaga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Malaga is more popular for its food, music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Acapulco de Juarez is known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba. Acapulco de Juarez is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs.

How is Malaga different from Acapulco de Juarez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Acapulco de Juarez and Malaga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Acapulco de Juarez is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Acapulco de Juarez offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Malaga is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Malaga is an experience not to be missed. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Acapulco de Juarez. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

Both Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez are amazing when it comes to partying.

Malaga is a world class party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

Acapulco de Juarez is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Music?

Malaga is a great destination for its music scene. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a live music destination.

Malaga has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Acapulco de Juarez for its luxury resorts. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beach.

Many people visit Acapulco de Juarez for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Acapulco de Juarez does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Both Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez are good shopping destinations.

Malaga offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Acapulco de Juarez has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Acapulco de Juarez is a very kid-friendly city. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Malaga is a family-friendly port city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Acapulco de Juarez is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Malaga is a very popular port city to visit for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Students?

Malaga is a great destination for students. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

Malaga is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez offer good public transit options.

Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Acapulco de Juarez has some public transit options. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Is Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez a more walkable city?

Malaga is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Malaga is a very walkable destination. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

In either Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than Acapulco de Juarez because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 3-5 days is enough time in Acapulco de Juarez.

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

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Malaga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Acapulco de Juarez 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 Malaga.

One day in Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Malaga. This port city offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Acapulco de Juarez. 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 Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Malaga is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful port city of Malaga. Most people visit for the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Acapulco de Juarez is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Malaga. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malaga has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Acapulco de Juarez. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Malaga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this port city makes for a great vacation. Visiting the old town is also a must. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the built-up destination of Acapulco de Juarez. This city 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 Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez, 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 Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez?

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 Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Acapulco de Juarez. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Malaga is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 29°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Malaga is generally cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 245 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez in the Winter?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Malaga is much colder than Acapulco de Juarez in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 272 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Acapulco de Juarez in the Spring?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches.

In the spring, Malaga is much colder than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 274 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in April than Acapulco de Juarez. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Malaga