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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Fairfield?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Fairfield? 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 Fairfield?

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.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Mazatlan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mazatlan is $79, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mazatlan $33
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mazatlan $66
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan or Fairfield? 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.

Hotels in Mazatlan


Hotels in Fairfield


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 Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mazatlan $21
    Fairfield -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

  • Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
  • Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $261
  • Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
  • Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
  • Mazatlan Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan Round-Trip Private Transfer: $117
  • Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mazatlan $34
    Fairfield $30

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: $84
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
  • Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mazatlan $9.59
    Fairfield $13

Tours and Activities in Mazatlan

Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Barrio Bites tour: $78
  • Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
  • BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
  • Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
  • City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
  • From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
  • Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
  • Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
  • Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
  • Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
  • Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
  • Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mazatlan $18
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


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


Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Fairfield?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Fairfield, 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 Fairfield?

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 Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Mazatlan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mazatlan 29°C (83°F) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Fairfield in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Fairfield in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mazatlan 27°C (81°F) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Fairfield averages at about 46°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mazatlan 20°C (67°F) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Fairfield in the Spring?

Both Fairfield and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In April, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mazatlan 22°C (72°F) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Mazatlan

Mazatlan Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (67°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 20°C (67°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 1 mm (0 in) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 24°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 219 mm (8.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 227 mm (8.9 in) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)