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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kamloops? 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 Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops

In British Columbia, Canada, Kamloops is perhaps most famous for the large number of tournaments it hosts, everything from the Strauss Canada Cup of Curling, to the World Fly Fishing Championships. It also hosts Skate Canada, Tim Horton's Olympic Qualifying Bike Race, and the World Junior Hockey Championships among others. The city is in the south central part of the province and it sits near the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River near Kamloops Lake. The city has a population of about 85,000 and it's the largest community in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Kamloops 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 Kamloops is $81. 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 Kamloops in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mazatlan $33
    Kamloops $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mazatlan $66
    Kamloops $88
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and Kamloops

Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan or Kamloops? 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 Kamloops


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 Kamloops Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mazatlan $21
    Kamloops $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or Kamloops?

Prices for flights to both Kamloops 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
    Kamloops $24

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 Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $5.81
  • Lunch for Two
    $25
  • Coffee and Gelato
    $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mazatlan $9.59
    Kamloops $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

Tours and Activities in Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Vancouver and Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $6.31
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $6.33
  • Skip the Line: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park Admission Ticket: $14
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kamloops by Zombie Scavengers: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mazatlan $18
    Kamloops $6.77


When comparing the travel costs between Mazatlan and Kamloops, we can see that Kamloops is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mazatlan Expensive? and Is Kamloops Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Kamloops?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Kamloops. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than Kamloops in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops 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.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamloops averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mazatlan 27°C (81°F) 
    Kamloops 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops 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.

It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. In January, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Kamloops. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mazatlan 20°C (67°F) 
    Kamloops -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Kamloops. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Kamloops in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Kamloops. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mazatlan 22°C (72°F) 
    Kamloops 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Mazatlan

Mazatlan Kamloops
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (67°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 20°C (67°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 1 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 219 mm (8.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 227 mm (8.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)