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

Should you visit San Fernando or Mazatlan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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: San Fernando or Mazatlan?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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 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 San Fernando and Mazatlan, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Mazatlan?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Mazatlan?

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

Should I visit San Fernando or Mazatlan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Mazatlan. San Fernando 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.

San Fernando is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the summer, San Fernando often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Mazatlan in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Fernando or Mazatlan in the Winter?

Both Mazatlan and San Fernando during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando 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 January, San Fernando is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the winter, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.

San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Mazatlan in the Spring?

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

San Fernando is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mazatlan and San Fernando