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

Should you visit Montanita or Mazatlan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Mazatlan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Montanita or Mazatlan?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montanita and Mazatlan, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montanita is in South America and Mazatlan is in North America, 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Montanita or Mazatlan?

Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or Mazatlan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Mazatlan. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Montanita is generally cooler than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 25°C (78°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the summer, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. Montanita usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or Mazatlan in the Autumn?

Both Mazatlan and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montanita or Mazatlan in the Winter?

Both Mazatlan and Montanita during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In the winter, Montanita is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montanita in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.

Montanita usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montanita or Mazatlan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

In April, Montanita is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during spring. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montanita usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Montanita