A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Jekyll Island for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island? 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a relaxing, secluded, and natural island. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and beaches.

Mazatlan and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Jekyll Island are both popular with visitors, Mazatlan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mazatlan is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping, while Jekyll Island is known for its resorts and hiking. Mazatlan is popular for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also home to the Malecon. Jekyll Island is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Mazatlan different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

Mazatlan is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Mazatlan. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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

Mazatlan is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Mazatlan has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Mazatlan. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a island with a few options for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Jekyll Island offers a few options. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jekyll Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Mazatlan. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Jekyll Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Mazatlan and Jekyll Island are excellent choices.

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.

Jekyll Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

Mazatlan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Mazatlan has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Jekyll Island is a very kid-friendly island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Mazatlan offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is a good city for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Mazatlan. 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.

Jekyll Island is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few campgrounds in the area as well as some nice beaches.

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

Mazatlan is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Mazatlan has some public transit options. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Mazatlan or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Jekyll Island is not a walkable city. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

It's fun to spend time in either Mazatlan or Jekyll Island. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mazatlan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Jekyll Island.

Couples should spend more time in Mazatlan than Jekyll Island. 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 Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

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 island of Jekyll Island offers museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Jekyll Island?

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.

Jekyll Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jekyll Island, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

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.

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

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.

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island?

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 Jekyll Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Jekyll Island. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Jekyll Island averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 286 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Jekyll Island. Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

Both Jekyll Island and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Jekyll Island during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

Both Jekyll Island and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Jekyll Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 191 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Jekyll Island. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches.

In the spring, Mazatlan is a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Jekyll Island averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Jekyll Island during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Mazatlan