A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Bangor for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Mazatlan or Bangor?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Bangor? 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. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Bangor

Bangor is a welcoming, friendly, and laid back town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Mazatlan and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Bangor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Bangor are both popular with visitors, Mazatlan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mazatlan is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Bangor is known for its small town charm. Mazatlan is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also home to the Malecon. Bangor is popular for its history as a lumber town.

How is Mazatlan different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bangor 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 Bangor?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Mazatlan. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Mazatlan is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Mazatlan. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Mazatlan attract visitors from all over. 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.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Bangor does not have a historic old town.

Mazatlan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Bangor does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Bangor?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bangor and Mazatlan.

Mazatlan offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Bangor has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mazatlan or Bangor.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Mazatlan. 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.

Bangor offers lots of family activities. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Couples?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

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.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mazatlan is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

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

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Mazatlan has a few public transit options. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Mazatlan or Bangor a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mazatlan or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mazatlan than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mazatlan than Bangor 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 Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Mazatlan. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Bangor offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Mazatlan or Bangor?

Mazatlan is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Mazatlan or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor 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 Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Mazatlan. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bangor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Bangor?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Bangor, 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 Bangor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Bangor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Bangor. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Mazatlan is a little warmer than Bangor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Bangor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Bangor. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Bangor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Bangor. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Mazatlan usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bangor. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Bangor in the Winter?

Both Bangor and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. Mazatlan is much warmer than Bangor in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Bangor. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Bangor in the Spring?

Both Bangor and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm.

In the spring, Mazatlan is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Bangor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Bangor. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Mazatlan