A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Antonio vs. Maui for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit San Antonio or Maui?

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 San Antonio and Maui. 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a colorful, festive, and fun city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

San Antonio and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Antonio or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although San Antonio and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Antonio attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, music, and historical sights. Maui is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. San Antonio is famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is San Antonio different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and San Antonio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Antonio or Maui?

San Antonio is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in San Antonio or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Antonio is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Antonio. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

San Antonio has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Music?

San Antonio is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Maui is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Maui is not a live music destination.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a great destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a popular place for its old town. However, Maui does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to San Antonio to see the old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Maui does not have a historic old town.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Maui?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Maui and San Antonio.

San Antonio is a great destination for shopping. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Maui. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Maui does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio offers some nice Christmas activities. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Maui does not offer Christmas activities.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Families?

Both San Antonio and Maui are amazing family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Students?

San Antonio is a popular place for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Maui is not popular with students.

Is San Antonio or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both San Antonio and Maui.

Public transit is generally limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is San Antonio or Maui a more walkable city?

San Antonio is a city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

San Antonio is generally not very walkable. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

Maui is not a very walkable city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is San Antonio Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Maui?

Both San Antonio and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in San Antonio. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Antonio, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio than Maui 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 San Antonio.

One day in San Antonio or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of San Antonio. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the idyllic island of Maui. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in San Antonio or Maui?

San Antonio is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning destination of Maui. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in San Antonio or Maui?

You'll find food and shopping around the festive destination of San Antonio. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning island of Maui. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in San Antonio or Maui?

The colorful city of San Antonio offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit San Antonio or Maui?

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 San Antonio or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, San Antonio is a little warmer than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Antonio in July average around 87°F (31°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during summer. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Maui. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Antonio or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and San Antonio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, San Antonio is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 73°F (23°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the autumn, San Antonio often gets less sunshine than Maui. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets more rain in October than Maui. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Maui. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

San Antonio is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Maui. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Antonio or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Maui. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, San Antonio is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Antonio in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In the spring, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets more rain in April than Maui. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and San Antonio