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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls?

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.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mazatlan $33
    Niagara Falls $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mazatlan $66
    Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and Niagara Falls

Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls


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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mazatlan $21
    Niagara Falls $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

  • Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $49
  • Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
  • Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
  • Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $260
  • Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
  • Private Transfer: Niagara Falls, ON to Pearson Int’l Airport (YYZ): $134
  • Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
  • Buffalo Niagara Airport to Holiday Valley - Round-Trip Transfer: $262
  • Buffalo Niagara Airport(BUF) to Holiday Valley - Arrival Transfer: $131
  • Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Departure Private Transfer: Niagara Falls to Toronto Airport YYZ in Luxury SUV: $195
  • Fixed Price :- Private Transfers Niagara falls Hotel OR Pearson Toronto Airport : $134
  • Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $80
  • Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $80
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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
    Niagara Falls $28

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.

  • The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
  • Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
  • Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
  • Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
  • Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $156
  • Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
  • Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $179
  • Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $193
  • Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $193
  • Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
  • Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
  • Niagara Falls Canada: Small Group Night Tour w/Boat & Dinner: $219

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mazatlan $9.59
    Niagara Falls $20

Tours and Activities in Mazatlan

Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
  • Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
  • Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
  • El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
  • Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
  • City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
  • Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
  • Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
  • Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
  • Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
  • Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $65

Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:


  • Maid of the Mist
    $37

Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:

  • Visit Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Hamilton Airport: $3.65
  • Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
  • Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
  • Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
  • Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $16
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Buffalo by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Niagara Falls, Canada: Journey Behind the Falls Entry Ticket: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mazatlan $18
    Niagara Falls $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls

Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
  • Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
  • Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $104
  • Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
  • 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
  • Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
  • Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $120
  • Luxury Winery, Distillery & Craft Beer Tour in Niagara Region : $123
  • Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $142
  • Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $149
  • Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149


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


Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Niagara Falls. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Niagara Falls during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 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 Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mazatlan 29°C (83°F) 
    Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Niagara Falls. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mazatlan 27°C (81°F) 
    Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

Both Niagara Falls and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mazatlan 20°C (67°F) 
    Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mazatlan 22°C (72°F) 
    Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Mazatlan

Mazatlan Niagara Falls
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (67°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) -4°C (26°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 20°C (67°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) -3°C (28°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 1 mm (0 in) 10°C (49°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 219 mm (8.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 227 mm (8.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) -0°C (31°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)