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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Big Pine Key?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Big Pine Key? 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.

Where Should I go: Mazatlan or Big Pine Key?

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.

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and Big Pine Key, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Big Pine Key?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Big Pine Key, 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 Big Pine Key?

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 Big Pine Key in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Big Pine Key. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Big Pine Key in the Autumn?

Both Big Pine Key and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Pine Key averages at about 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. In October, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Big Pine Key in the Winter?

Both Big Pine Key and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In January, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Big Pine Key in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Big Pine Key. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

Mazatlan is cooler than Big Pine Key in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Big Pine Key. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Pine Key and Mazatlan