A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Durango for Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Durango?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Durango? 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a fun-filled, diverse, and vibrant beach area. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Durango

Durango is a historic, charming, and quaint small town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

West Palm Beach and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Durango?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although West Palm Beach and Durango are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while West Palm Beach is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is more touristy than Durango and is known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Durango is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is West Palm Beach different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Durango and West Palm Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is adequate for skiing. However, West Palm Beach is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

West Palm Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in West Palm Beach or Durango?

Durango is a popular place for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both West Palm Beach and Durango offer decent local cuisine and restaurants.

West Palm Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

West Palm Beach has a large number of nightlife venues. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Durango is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to West Palm Beach for its luxury resorts. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Durango is not a resort destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Durango is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Durango is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Durango is not a beach destination.

West Palm Beach offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a popular place for its historic old town. However, West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Durango is a good destination for visiting its old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is a great small town for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Durango for the hiking trails. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Durango?

Durango is adequate for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Durango is a good destination for shopping. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is a popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, West Palm Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy Christmas activities while in Durango. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

West Palm Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either West Palm Beach or Durango.

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Durango is a very kid-friendly beach area. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Couples?

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

West Palm Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

West Palm Beach has some public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is West Palm Beach or Durango a more walkable city?

West Palm Beach is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

West Palm Beach is somewhat walkable. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Durango. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Durango. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than West Palm Beach 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 Durango.

One day in West Palm Beach or Durango?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This beach area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Durango is a small town with plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Durango?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Durango?

West Palm Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that West Palm Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Durango is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This small town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in West Palm Beach or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in West Palm Beach. In West Palm Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Since Durango is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is West Palm Beach Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Durango?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Durango, 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.