Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lima and Mazatlan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lima or Mazatlan?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 dayLima $77Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $77, 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 Lima and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Lima and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.73Mazatlan $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- J.Chavez Airport to Miraflores City Hotels- Round Trip Transfer: $41
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Lima Airport Transfers: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima City in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Lima 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 dayLima $18Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
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.Lima $8.66Mazatlan $9.59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
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 dayLima $5.63Mazatlan $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When comparing the travel costs between Lima and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Lima is in South America and Mazatlan is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Mazatlan?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Lima 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 Lima or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Lima or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lima is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lima in July average around 18°C (64°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. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during summer. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lima usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 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 JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lima or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lima as well as Mazatlan. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Lima is generally cooler than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 19°C (66°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, Lima often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in October than Mazatlan. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 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 OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lima or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Lima is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the winter. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 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 JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Lima or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Lima during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches.
In the spring, Lima is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lima in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Lima
| Lima | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.