Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Mazatlan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mazatlan or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mazatlan or San Juan? 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 San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMazatlan $79San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Mazatlan is $79, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMazatlan $33San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMazatlan $66San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan or San Juan? 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.
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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mazatlan $21San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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
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Food Meals for one dayMazatlan $34San Juan $36
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 San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mazatlan $9.59San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMazatlan $18San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mazatlan is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mazatlan or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Mazatlan during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMazatlan 29°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and San Juan. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mazatlan is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMazatlan 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the winter, Mazatlan is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMazatlan 20°C (67°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Mazatlan is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than San Juan. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMazatlan 22°C (72°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Mazatlan
| Mazatlan | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.