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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Santa Cruz? 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.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mazatlan and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan than Santa Cruz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Mazatlan is very popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights, while Santa Cruz attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Mazatlan and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Mazatlan is famous for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also well known for the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mazatlan is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

Mazatlan is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

If you're looking for night time activities Mazatlan has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Mazatlan has a few good snorkeling spots. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Mazatlan and Santa Cruz are high quality 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.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is notable for its historic old town. However, Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mazatlan. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and Mazatlan.

Mazatlan offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Santa Cruz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

Santa Cruz is a very kid-friendly town. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Mazatlan is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

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

Mazatlan is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Mazatlan has a few public transit options. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Mazatlan or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mazatlan or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mazatlan than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mazatlan than Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the authentic city of Mazatlan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Santa Cruz?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Mazatlan, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

Mazatlan, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

Mazatlan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Santa Cruz 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Santa Cruz?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In July, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Santa Cruz. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In April, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Santa Cruz. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Mazatlan