A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Alexandria for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Mazatlan or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Alexandria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a authentic, historical, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a historic, charming, and quaint city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mazatlan and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mazatlan than Alexandria, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Mazatlan is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Alexandria is known for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alexandria is more touristy than Mazatlan and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Mazatlan is popular for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also home to the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alexandria and Mazatlan. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Mazatlan and Alexandria.

Mazatlan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Many visitors head to Alexandria specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Is the Food Better in Mazatlan or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mazatlan is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mazatlan has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Stewed meats and shrimp are a big part of the cuisine here. Many recipes have a little bit of spice. The restaurants around town are authentic and local, making for a great dining experience.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Mazatlan and Alexandria.

Mazatlan has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are plenty of bars and clubs around town, particularly along the beach. Like anywhere else, remember to stay cautious late at night around town. This is considered to be one of the less safe parts of Mexico.

If you're looking for night time activities Alexandria has a few options to choose from. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Alexandria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Mazatlan. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Alexandria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is great for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Mazatlan for it's beautiful beaches. There are many stretches of beach around town. Most notable is the 13 miles that run along Malecon where there's a boardwalk. Surfing is also popular in the area.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Alexandria is revered around the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Mazatlan. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

Alexandria is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Alexandria is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Mazatlan has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops, big box stores, and souvenir vendors where you can pick up anything you may need or items to commemorate your trip.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Families?

Mazatlan is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Mazatlan offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the all-inclusive resorts and the waterfront setting. There are also many cultural opportunities such as markets, history, and shows. The food is very kid-friendly as well.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Alexandria is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Alexandria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Mazatlan is a good city for couples to visit. The resorts are romantic and the beaches are stunning. If you're looking for an idyllic escape that also has culture, authenticity, and great food, then this is your spot.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Mazatlan. The laid back atmosphere makes this a great stopover for backpackers who want to experience the Mexican culture. Stick to the touristy areas if possible.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

While Mazatlan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses around town.

Is Mazatlan or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Mazatlan is a very walkable destination. The city is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Mazatlan Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Mazatlan or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mazatlan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Mazatlan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mazatlan than Alexandria if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Mazatlan.

One day in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the historical city of Mazatlan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Alexandria offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Mazatlan, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Alexandria is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alexandria, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

Mazatlan, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Alexandria is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Mazatlan or Alexandria?

Mazatlan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Alexandria is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Alexandria?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Mazatlan during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Alexandria averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Alexandria. The autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In October, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Alexandria. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. Mazatlan is much warmer than Alexandria in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Mazatlan is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Alexandria averages at about 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Mazatlan