Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Mazatlan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mazatlan or Ensenada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mazatlan or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
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 Mexico, and The Best Budget Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMazatlan $79Ensenada $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Mazatlan is $79, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $99. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mazatlan and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMazatlan $33Ensenada $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMazatlan $66Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan or Ensenada? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Mazatlan Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mazatlan $21Ensenada $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $235
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $295
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $268
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $421
Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Mazatlan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMazatlan $34Ensenada $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $86
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $86
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mazatlan $9.59Ensenada $11
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
- Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
- Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
- El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $48
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $60
- Old Town Mazatlan Segway Tour: $67
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rondo del Valley Winery Tour with 5 Tastings: $27
- Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
- Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $32
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $34
- From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $39
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $39
- Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $40
- Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $41
- La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
- The Bufadora private Tour: $44
- Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52
- Full Day Private Tour of Valle de Guadalupe: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMazatlan $18Ensenada $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
- Private wine tour : $57
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $78
- From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $90
- From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $97
- Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $123
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
- Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $199
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada 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 Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Ensenada?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Ensenada, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.