A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Tulum vs. La Paz for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Tulum 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 Tulum 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.

Tulum

Tulum is a archeological, tropical, and active town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

La Paz

La Paz is a cultural, beautiful, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Tulum and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or La Paz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and La Paz are popular destinations, Tulum has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tulum is more touristy than La Paz and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also well known for the Tulum archeological ruins. La Paz is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is Tulum different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tulum or La Paz?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Tulum are among the most recognizable in the world. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around La Paz. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and La Paz.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

La Paz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Tulum just to party. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

Tulum is a world class resort vacation destination. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Tulum is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near La Paz. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Beaches?

Both Tulum and La Paz are considered to be world-class beach destinations.

Tulum is considered to be a world-class beach destination. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

La Paz offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Hiking?

Tulum is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Tulum is a popular spot for hiking. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or La Paz?

Both Tulum and La Paz are great shopping destinations.

Tulum is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

La Paz is well-known for its shopping. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Families?

Both Tulum and La Paz are great to visit with kids.

Tulum is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, La Paz is very family-friendly. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Couples?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Tulum is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

La Paz is a good town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Tulum and La Paz are great destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Many backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Is Tulum or La Paz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Tulum and La Paz offer nice public transit options.

Tulum has a few public transit options. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

La Paz has some public transit options. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Tulum or La Paz a more walkable city?

Tulum and La Paz both are great when exploring on foot.

Tulum is very walkable. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

La Paz is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is La Paz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Tulum or La Paz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tulum due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Paz.

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

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than La Paz. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than La Paz 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 Tulum.

One day in Tulum or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In La Paz, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this cultural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tulum or La Paz?

Tulum is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Paz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Tulum or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

La Paz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of La Paz. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient destination of Tulum. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of La Paz. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and La Paz, we can see that Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or La Paz?

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 Tulum or La Paz in the Summer?

Both La Paz and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and La Paz averages at about 30°C (86°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than La Paz. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or La Paz in the Autumn?

Both La Paz and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene.

In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the autumn, Tulum often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tulum or La Paz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and La Paz. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tulum is a little warmer than La Paz in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Paz during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than La Paz. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or La Paz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as La Paz. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Tulum is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Paz. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Tulum