Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana 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 Havana and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Mazatlan?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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 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 dayHavana $65Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, 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 Havana and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Havana and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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: Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Mazatlan $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
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 Havana or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Havana 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 dayHavana $10Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
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.Havana $11Mazatlan $9.59
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 dayHavana $5.76Mazatlan $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Mazatlan?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Havana gets 50 mm (2 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 JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Havana or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Havana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
Havana is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Havana usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mazatlan. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 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 OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Havana or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Havana is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In January, Havana usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 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 JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Havana or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Havana as well as Mazatlan. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Havana
| Havana | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.