Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Mazatlan? 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: Belize City or Mazatlan?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belize City and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Mazatlan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Belize City Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $295
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Belize City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBelize City $27Mazatlan $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $90
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $211
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Mazatlan $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When comparing the travel costs between Belize City and Mazatlan, we can see that Belize City 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. Even though Belize City is in Central America and Mazatlan is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Mazatlan, 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 Belize City or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Belize City or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and Belize City during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In July, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Belize City. In the summer, Belize City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Mazatlan. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene.
Belize City is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Belize City usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Mazatlan. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Belize City is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the winter, Belize City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Belize City receives a lot of rain in the winter. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches during these months.
In April, Belize City is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Belize City
| Belize City | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.