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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Duck Key?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Duck 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 Duck 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.

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Duck Key?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 720 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck Key in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Duck Key. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck 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 Duck Key. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Duck Key in the Autumn?

Both Duck Key and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene.

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

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

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Duck Key in the Winter?

Both Duck Key and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In Duck 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 Duck Key. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Duck Key in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Duck Key. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches during these months.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Duck Key and Mazatlan