A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Mazatlan vs. La Paz for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Mazatlan or La Paz?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or La Paz? 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 cultural, authentic, and historical city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

La Paz

La Paz is a beautiful, authentic, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mazatlan and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or La Paz?

Both La Paz and Mazatlan have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Mazatlan is better known for its historical sights, while La Paz is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. La Paz is more touristy than Mazatlan and is known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Mazatlan is well known for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas.

How is Mazatlan different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Paz 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 La Paz?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Mazatlan and La Paz.

Mazatlan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Many visitors head to La Paz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

Is the Food Better in Mazatlan or La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Mazatlan and La Paz both to be excellent destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mazatlan. 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.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Mazatlan and La Paz.

Mazatlan has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities La Paz has a few options to choose from. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a popular place for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, La Paz makes a nice vacation spot. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz 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 La Paz. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

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 La Paz Better for Beaches?

La Paz is a world-class destination for the beache. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in La Paz. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Mazatlan is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is notable for its old town. However, La Paz 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.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or La Paz?

La Paz is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

La Paz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

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.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for Families?

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

La Paz is a very kid-friendly city. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

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 La Paz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and La Paz make for a notable 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.

La Paz is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan and La Paz are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mazatlan is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Mazatlan and La Paz.

You'll find some public transit in Mazatlan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses around town.

While La Paz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Mazatlan or La Paz a more walkable city?

Mazatlan and La Paz both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

La Paz is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Mazatlan Worth Visiting? and Is La Paz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Mazatlan or La Paz. 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 La Paz.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Paz than Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Paz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Mazatlan 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 La Paz.

One day in Mazatlan or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Mazatlan. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 La Paz?

Mazatlan is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

La Paz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 La Paz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Mazatlan. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Luxury Tours to Mexico, and The Best Budget Tours to Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or La Paz?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and La Paz, 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 La Paz?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mazatlan or La Paz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and La Paz. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mazatlan is around the same temperature as La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as La Paz. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 La Paz this time of year.

In January, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Paz during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches.

Mazatlan is around the same temperature as La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than La Paz. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Mazatlan