Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Granada or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Mazatlan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Granada or Mazatlan?
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 dayGranada $40Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, 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 Granada and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada $17Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada $34Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Granada and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Granada 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: Granada Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada $8.57Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Granada 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 dayGranada $14Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.29
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.Granada $10Mazatlan $9.59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
- Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
- Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
- Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada's City Tour: $40
- Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
- Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
- Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
- City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada $7.50Mazatlan $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central America and Mazatlan 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan than you might in Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Granada or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during summer. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGranada 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Granada or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Granada as well as Mazatlan. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Granada is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the autumn, Granada often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
Granada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Granada usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGranada 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Granada or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Granada is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Granada usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGranada 26°C (79°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Granada or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Granada during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches.
In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 29°C (84°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the spring, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Granada usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGranada 29°C (84°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Granada
| Granada | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.