A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Saint Louis for Attractions, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Saint Louis? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mazatlan and Saint Louis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Saint Louis are about the same size, Mazatlan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mazatlan is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Saint Louis attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Mazatlan is famous for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also well known for the Malecon. Saint Louis is famous for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Mazatlan different from Saint Louis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Saint Louis are among the most recognizable in the world. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

Many visitors head to Mazatlan specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

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

Mazatlan is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Mazatlan makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is well known for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Mazatlan for it's beautiful 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.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is well known for its historic old town. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

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

Saint Louis is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis Better for Families?

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

Saint Louis is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Saint Louis Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is a good city for couples to visit. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is well known for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

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

Saint Louis is well known for its public transit. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Saint Louis has some very good public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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

Is Mazatlan or Saint Louis a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Mazatlan is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Louis or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mazatlan and Saint Louis. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Mazatlan than in Saint Louis. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saint Louis.

Couples should spend more time in Mazatlan than Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Mazatlan. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Saint Louis offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Mazatlan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Saint Louis 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Louis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historical city of Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Saint Louis?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Mazatlan. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Saint Louis?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis?

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 Saint Louis in the Summer?

Both Saint Louis and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Saint Louis during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Saint Louis. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Saint Louis in the Autumn?

Both Saint Louis and Mazatlan during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Saint Louis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 203 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Saint Louis. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Saint Louis in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Saint Louis. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Saint Louis averages at about 31°F (-1°C).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Saint Louis in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Saint Louis. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

In April, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 229 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Saint Louis. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint Louis and Mazatlan