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

Should you visit Valdivia or La Paz?

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

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz? 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.

Where Should I go: Valdivia or La Paz?

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

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 10-Day Tours in Chile, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valdivia or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Valdivia 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 Valdivia or La Paz?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Valdivia is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz in the Summer?

Both La Paz and Valdivia during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Valdivia is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valdivia in January average around 16°C (61°F), and La Paz averages at about 30°C (86°F)in July.

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valdivia. In the summer, Valdivia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Pazin July. Valdivia gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

Valdivia usually gets more rain in January than La Pazin July. Valdivia gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valdivia and La Paz. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene.

In April, Valdivia is generally much colder than La Pazin October. Daily temperatures in Valdivia average around 11°C (52°F), 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. Valdivia usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Valdivia gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Valdivia usually receives more rain than La Pazin October. Valdivia gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valdivia as well as La Paz. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

Valdivia is much colder than La Paz in the winter. The daily temperature in Valdivia averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the winter, Valdivia often gets less sunshine than La Pazin January. Valdivia gets 66 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the winter. Valdivia usually gets more rain in July than La Pazin January. Valdivia gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Valdivia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches.

In the spring, Valdivia is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valdivia in October average around 11°C (52°F), and La Paz averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Valdivia usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Valdivia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Valdivia. In October, Valdivia usually receives more rain than La Pazin April. Valdivia gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Valdivia