Should you visit Cozumel or Mazatlan?
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 Cozumel and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Mazatlan or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $62, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $52. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cozumel and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $60 in Cozumel For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $21. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Mazatlan the cost is $42 on average.
Food
Cozumel food costs typically run travelers around $16 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The average traveler spends about $22 per day in Mazatlan for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cozumel $16
Mazatlan $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
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Mercado walking food tour:
$62
Local Transportation
To get around in Cozumel, the average visitor spends $15 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The average price of local transportation around Mazatlan is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Cozumel International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6):
$60
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport (1 - 6):
$60
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport 5 - 8:
$147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
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Private Round-Trip Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport (1 - 6):
$240
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Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$194
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Private Airport-Hotel Transfer:
$130
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mazatlan International Airport (1 - 6):
$120
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Private Arrival Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6):
$120
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Mazatlan International Airport(MZT) to Mazatlan hotels -Arrival Private Transfer:
$97
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Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$97
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Private Airport Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan:
$69
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Private Airport Transfer: from Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT):
$69
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Shared Round -Trip Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport:
$24
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport to Hotel:
$12
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Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mazatlan International Airport:
$12
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Cozumel 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.
Entertainment
In Cozumel, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $29 per person, per day.
Mazatlan's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $6.29 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
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Discover Mexico Cozumel Park Tickets:
$26
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VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour:
$32
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All Inclusive Beach Adventure with Snorkeling:
$44
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Cozumel Island Tour by Open-Top Safari Bus Including Tequila Tasting:
$49
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Thriller Jet Boat Adventure:
$50
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Jet Boat Experience:
$50
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Cozumel City Tour with Lunch:
$57
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West Coast E-Bike Snorkeling Tour:
$57
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Mayan Laser Tag Adventure at Chankanaab Park:
$65
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Discover Mexico & Chankanaab National Park Combo Tour:
$65
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Catamaran Snorkeling Tour with Open Bar and Lunch:
$67
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Cozumel...Your Tourist Guide:
$67
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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ATV Tour:
$75
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Agave Distilled Factory and Salsa Combo Tour:
$67
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Agave Distilled Factory and Salsa Combo Tour Private Vehicle:
$536
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Barrio Bites tour:
$62
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Canopy and ATV Tour:
$125
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El Rosario Half-Day Tour with Optional Visit to Caimanero Lagoon:
$62
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Full-Day Sierra Madre Bike Tour with Lunch:
$140
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Half-Day Mazatlan City Bike Tour:
$36
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Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan:
$62
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Malpica Concordia and Copala Foothills Tour Private Vehicle:
$472
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Mazatlan - City Tour:
$34
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Mazatlan - La Noria Artisan Tour The Blue Agave:
$56
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Cozumel, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.46.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Mazatlan may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $12 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Mazatlan
Also in Mazatlan, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Private Tour to El Quelite Village and Tequila Distillery from Mazatlan:
$323
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Mazatlan, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel than you might in Mazatlan.
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