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

Should you visit Kingston or Mazatlan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston 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: Kingston or Mazatlan?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Mazatlan $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Mazatlan

Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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.

Hotels in Kingston


Hotels in Mazatlan


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Mazatlan $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
  • Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
  • All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
  • Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170

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 Kingston or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Kingston 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kingston $27
    Mazatlan $34

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Mazatlan $9.59

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
  • Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
  • Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
  • Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
  • Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
  • Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Mazatlan $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Mazatlan, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston 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 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Mazatlan.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Mazatlan?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Mazatlan?

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

Should I visit Kingston or Mazatlan in the Summer?

Both Mazatlan and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Mazatlan in the Autumn?

Both Mazatlan and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Mazatlan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In the winter, Kingston is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mazatlan. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Mazatlan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Mazatlan. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

In April, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Kingston

Kingston Mazatlan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 1 mm (0 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 219 mm (8.6 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 227 mm (8.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)