A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Daytona Beach for Nightlife, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Daytona Beach? 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a energetic, lively, and fun beach city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the live music, beaches, and nightlife.

Mazatlan and Daytona Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Daytona Beach than Mazatlan. While Mazatlan is larger than Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Daytona Beach is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Mazatlan is known for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Mazatlan and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also home to The Daytona International Speedway. Mazatlan is popular for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas.

How is Mazatlan different from Daytona Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Daytona Beach just to party. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Mazatlan has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Mazatlan is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Mazatlan is not a live music destination.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Daytona Beach offers a few options. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Daytona Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Mazatlan has a few good snorkeling spots. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Daytona Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Mazatlan is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mazatlan. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

Mazatlan is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Mazatlan to go shopping. 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.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Families?

Mazatlan is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Mazatlan is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Daytona Beach make for a good place to visit.

Mazatlan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Daytona Beach is a good city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is a world-class destination for students. However, Mazatlan is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Mazatlan is not popular with students.

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

Mazatlan is a popular place for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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 quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Mazatlan or Daytona Beach a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in Daytona Beach or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

Both Mazatlan and Daytona Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Daytona Beach than in Mazatlan. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 7 days is enough time in Daytona Beach.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beach city of Daytona Beach offers live music and nightlife. 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 Daytona Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the authentic destination of Mazatlan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Daytona Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Mazatlan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Daytona Beach has to offer. This beach 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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Daytona Beach?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Daytona Beach, 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 Daytona Beach?

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 Daytona Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Daytona Beach. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year.

In the summer, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Daytona Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Daytona Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Daytona Beach. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Daytona Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Daytona Beach. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Daytona Beach. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Daytona Beach fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in October than Daytona Beach. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Daytona Beach in the Winter?

Both Daytona Beach and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than Daytona Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Daytona Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Daytona Beach. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Daytona Beach in the Spring?

Both Daytona Beach and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Daytona Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Daytona Beach averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Daytona Beach. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Daytona Beach receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Daytona Beach and Mazatlan