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

Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan?

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan?

Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Isla de Ometepe experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 29°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during summer. Isla de Ometepe 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. Isla de Ometepe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

In October, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the autumn, Isla de Ometepe often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.

Isla de Ometepe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan in the Winter?

Both Mazatlan and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

Isla de Ometepe is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the winter. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Mazatlan in the Spring?

Both Mazatlan and Isla de Ometepe during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

In the spring, Isla de Ometepe is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. In the spring, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Isla de Ometepe