Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Puerto Madryn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan? 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: Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan?
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
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 2-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, 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 dayPuerto Madryn $14Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $14, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Puerto Madryn and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $5.25Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $11Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan? 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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $3.28Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Puerto Madryn 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 dayPuerto Madryn $5.69Mazatlan $34
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Madryn $5.77Mazatlan $9.59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
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Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
- Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
- Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Peninsula Valdes Full Day Tour: $88
- Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $88
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
- Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Madryn $3.13Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan than you might in Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Madryn Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Mazatlan, 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 Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Madryn is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Mazatlan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Mazatlan. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In January, Puerto Madryn is generally cooler than Mazatlanin July. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 22°C (71°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Mazatlanin July. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPuerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Mazatlan. Additionally, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene.
Puerto Madryn is much colder than Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in April than Mazatlanin October. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Puerto Madryn is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Madryn in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Madryn. Puerto Madryn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during winter. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Puerto Madryn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mazatlanin January. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPuerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Puerto Madryn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches during these months.
In October, Puerto Madryn is generally much colder than Mazatlanin April. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlanin April. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Puerto Madryn
| Puerto Madryn | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.