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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Denver?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Denver? 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 cultural, authentic, and historical city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Denver

Denver is a suburban, accessible, and sprawling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Mazatlan and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Denver?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Mazatlan than Denver. While Denver is larger than Mazatlan, Mazatlan has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Mazatlan is better known for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Denver is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and big city activities. Mazatlan is more touristy than Denver and is known for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. Also, Mazatlan is famous for the Malecon. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

How is Mazatlan different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Mazatlan is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Mazatlan is not a skiing destination.

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Mazatlan can be an interesting and educational experience. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mazatlan. 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.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Denver has a few options to choose from. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Denver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Mazatlan has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Denver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Mazatlan. 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.

Denver is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Mazatlan to see the historical old town. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Denver does not have a historic old town.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Hiking?

Denver is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Denver is a good destination for hiking. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Denver?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Denver 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.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mazatlan or Denver.

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.

Denver offers lots of family activities. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Denver make for a notable 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.

Denver is a good city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Mazatlan is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Mazatlan or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is a popular place for students. However, Mazatlan is not popular with students.

Denver is popular with students. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Mazatlan is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Mazatlan and Denver.

You'll find some public transit in Mazatlan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses around town.

While Denver offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is Mazatlan or Denver a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Denver or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mazatlan and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Mazatlan than in Denver. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Denver. 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 Denver. 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 Denver 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 Denver?

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 city of Denver offers skiing 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 Denver?

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.

Denver 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Denver, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Denver?

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.

Denver 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 Denver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic 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.

Denver 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 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Denver, 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.