Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quepos or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Mazatlan?
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
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 Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, 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 dayQuepos $117Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, 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 Quepos and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Quepos 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: Quepos Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Quepos 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 dayQuepos $30Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$15
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Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
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.Quepos $17Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour : $27
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Group Guided Tour: $30
- Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio National Park!: $35
- Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Tour with pick up included: $39
- Guided hiking Tour by the Mystic Ebano Rainforest in Costa Rica: $40
- Manuel Antonio: Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $45
- Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $45
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Mazatlan, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos 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 Quepos Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos 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 Quepos or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Quepos experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Quepos or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and Quepos during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Quepos often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
Quepos is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Quepos usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Quepos usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Mazatlan. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Quepos is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In the winter, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Quepos usually gets less rain in January than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Quepos is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Quepos usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Quepos
| Quepos | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.