Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Mazatlan?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, 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 daySan Ignacio $72Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 San Ignacio and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $21Mazatlan $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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.San Ignacio $100Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
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 daySan Ignacio $17Mazatlan $18
When comparing the travel costs between San Ignacio and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Ignacio is in Central America and Mazatlan is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Ignacio experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during summer. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 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 JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Ignacio in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, San Ignacio often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 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 OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In January, San Ignacio is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 24°C (74°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during winter. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 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 JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Mazatlan. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.
San Ignacio is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In the spring, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.