A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. El Paso for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or El Paso?

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

Should I visit Tampa or El Paso? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tampa

Tampa is a low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and El Paso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or El Paso?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tampa than El Paso. While El Paso is larger than Tampa, Tampa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tampa is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while El Paso is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Tampa is famous for Busch Gardens. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is Tampa different from El Paso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or El Paso?

El Paso is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around El Paso. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or El Paso? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and El Paso can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

El Paso offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Nightlife?

El Paso is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in El Paso. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, El Paso is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

El Paso is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a very popular place for its beaches. However, El Paso is not a beach destination.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

El Paso is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or El Paso?

El Paso is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

El Paso has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Families?

Tampa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, El Paso is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Tampa is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in El Paso. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Couples?

Neither Tampa or El Paso is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

Tampa is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

El Paso is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is Tampa or El Paso Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

El Paso is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or El Paso a more walkable city?

Tampa and El Paso are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

El Paso is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is El Paso Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in El Paso or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or El Paso?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tampa or El Paso to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tampa than El Paso because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-2 days is enough time in El Paso.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in El Paso than Tampa 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 El Paso.

One day in Tampa or El Paso?

In Tampa, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In El Paso, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or El Paso?

In Tampa, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tampa has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in El Paso. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or El Paso?

Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

El Paso is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of El Paso. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or El Paso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back destination of El Paso. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and El Paso, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or El Paso?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and El Paso, 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.