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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Mystic?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Mystic? 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 historical, cultural, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Mystic

Mystic is a quaint, laid back, and charming town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Mazatlan and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Mystic?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Mystic are popular destinations, Mazatlan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mazatlan is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights, while Mystic attracts visitors for its shopping. Mystic is more touristy than Mazatlan and is popular for its New England charm and local character. Mazatlan is famous for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also well known for the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Mazatlan and Mystic.

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 Mystic specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

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

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Mystic has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Mazatlan and Mystic are superb 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.

Mystic is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mazatlan. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Mystic?

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

Mystic is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

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 Mystic Better for Families?

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

Mystic is a very kid-friendly town. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Mystic Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Mystic make for a nice 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.

Mystic is a good city for couples to visit. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Mazatlan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

Mazatlan is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in 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 Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Mazatlan or Mystic a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Mazatlan is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable.

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

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

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mazatlan and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Mazatlan than in Mystic. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

Couples should spend more time in Mazatlan than Mystic. 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 Mystic 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 Mystic?

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 town of Mystic offers food and shopping. 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 Mystic?

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.

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

Five days in Mazatlan or Mystic?

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.

Mystic 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 Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical 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.

Mystic is a great place to explore. 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 town 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Mystic?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Mystic, 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 Mystic?

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 Mystic in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Mystic. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mystic. In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Mystic. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Mystic. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mystic in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Mystic. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Mazatlan