A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Castro vs. Mazatlan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Castro or Mazatlan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Castro and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Castro or Mazatlan?

Castro

The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Castro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Castro 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 Castro and Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Castro $37
    Mazatlan $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Castro $74
    Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Castro and Mazatlan

Looking for a hotel in Castro 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.

Hotels in Castro


Hotels in Mazatlan


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: Castro Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Castro $20
    Mazatlan $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:

  • Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

  • Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
  • Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
  • Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
  • Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
  • Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Castro or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Castro 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Castro $36
    Mazatlan $34

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Castro $21
    Mazatlan $9.59

Tours and Activities in Castro

Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
  • Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
  • From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
  • Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
  • Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
  • Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
  • Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
  • Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
  • Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189

Tours and Activities in Mazatlan

Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
  • Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
  • Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
  • El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
  • Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
  • City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
  • Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
  • Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
  • Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
  • Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
  • Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Castro $17
    Mazatlan $18


When comparing the travel costs between Castro and Mazatlan, we can see that Castro 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 Castro is in South 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 Castro Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Castro or Mazatlan?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Castro 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.