Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Mazatlan?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, 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 dayHuaraz $50Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Mazatlan $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
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 Huaraz or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $18Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
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.Huaraz $19Mazatlan $9.59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $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 dayHuaraz $15Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz is in South 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Huaraz experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Huaraz or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Huaraz can be very cold during summer. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In July, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JulyHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Huaraz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Huaraz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mazatlan. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 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 OctoberHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Huaraz is much colder than Mazatlan in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 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 JanuaryHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Mazatlan. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Huaraz usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.