A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Key Largo for Families, Food, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Mazatlan or Key Largo?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Key Largo? 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.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a peaceful, family-friendly, and beautiful island. It's a quaint destination. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Mazatlan and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Key Largo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Key Largo are both popular with visitors, Mazatlan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mazatlan is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Key Largo is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Mazatlan and is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Mazatlan is popular for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also home to the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

Mazatlan is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mazatlan or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mazatlan is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Mazatlan has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is well known for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is well known for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is great for the beach. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

The beaches at Mazatlan attract visitors from all over. 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.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is great for its historic old town charm. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Key Largo?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Key Largo is a very family-friendly destination. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Key Largo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Key Largo 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.

Key Largo is a good city for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo 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, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Mazatlan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Mazatlan or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Mazatlan Worth Visiting? and Is Key Largo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Key Largo?

Both Mazatlan and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Mazatlan. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

Families should spend more time in Key Largo than Mazatlan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Key Largo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Mazatlan than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Mazatlan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The island of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Key Largo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the historical destination of Mazatlan. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Key Largo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the authentic city of Mazatlan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Key Largo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Key Largo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Mazatlan or Key Largo?

Mazatlan is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Key Largo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Key Largo has to offer. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Key Largo?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

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 Key Largo in the Summer?

Both Key Largo 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. Also, most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun.

Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Key Largo in the Autumn?

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

In October, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Key Largo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Key Largo. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year.

Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Key Largo in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Key Largo in the Spring?

Both Key Largo 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. Also, many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches.

In the spring, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Key Largo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Key Largo averages at about 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Mazatlan