A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montanita vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montanita or La Paz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or La Paz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Montanita or La Paz?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Montanita or La Paz?

La Paz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or La Paz in the Summer?

Both La Paz and Montanita during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montanita is generally cooler than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 25°C (78°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Montanita often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

Montanita usually gets less rain in July than La Paz. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Montanita is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than La Paz. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montanita or La Paz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montanita as well as La Paz. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Montanita is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montanita in January average around 27°C (80°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the winter, Montanita often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Montanita usually gets more rain in January than La Paz. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.

In April, Montanita is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montanita usually receives more rain than La Paz. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Montanita