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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Kansas City?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kansas City? 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 Kansas City?

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.

Kansas City

A large, mid western city that sits on the border between Missouri and Kansa, Kansas City has a population of about 450,000. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it is a surprisingly beautiful city with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. Most of the city's suburbs are concentrated in the south but the city is beginning to grow to the north as well. The climate in Kansas City can vary dramatically, in large part because it is so far from any form of water. Winters can range from mild to extremely cold and snow is not uncommon. Spring and fall and quite comfortable but summer months can be incredibly hot and humid.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Kansas City, 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 Kansas City?

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 Kansas City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Kansas City. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Kansas City. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kansas City receives 325 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kansas City in the Autumn?

Both Kansas City and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In October, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Kansas City. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Kansas City fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Kansas City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Kansas City during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Kansas City receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Kansas City. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kansas City receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kansas City in the Winter?

Both Kansas City and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. Mazatlan is much warmer than Kansas City in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Kansas City fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Kansas City. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kansas City receives 175 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Kansas City. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kansas City receives 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Kansas City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Kansas City. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Mazatlan is much warmer than Kansas City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Kansas City averages at about 58°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Kansas City during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Kansas City receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Kansas City. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kansas City receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kansas City and Mazatlan