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

Should you visit La Paz or Mazatlan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Mazatlan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: La Paz or Mazatlan?

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist 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 Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or La Paz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $56, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $94. 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 La Paz and Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Paz $16
    Mazatlan $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Paz $32
    Mazatlan $58
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Mazatlan

Looking for a hotel in La Paz 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 La Paz


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: La Paz Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Paz $9.45
    Mazatlan $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • La Paz Private Airport Transfer Service: $90
  • Airport Transfer In_night: $47
  • Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
  • Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
  • Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and La Paz 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
    La Paz $29
    Mazatlan $54
Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Paz $16
    Mazatlan $8.67

Tours and Activities in La Paz

For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
  • City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
  • La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
  • Walking tour La Paz city: $14
  • El Alto Tour: Andean Spirituality, the Chola, and Cable Car Views: $16
  • Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $19
  • La Paz City Tour Essential: $23
  • Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
  • La Paz Private Walking Tour with a Local: $30
  • La Paz Guided Sightseeing Tour on Bus and Cable Car: $30
  • Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Paz $11
    Mazatlan $16


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

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


Which is Bigger, La Paz or Mazatlan?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of La Paz 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.