Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or San Pedro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Pedro or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro 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 Pedro or Mazatlan?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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 Pedro $135Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, 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 Pedro and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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: Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
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 San Pedro or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and San Pedro 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 Pedro $40Mazatlan $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
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 Pedro $33Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
- Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
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 Pedro $16Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Mazatlan, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 Pedro Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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 Pedro or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Pedro or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
San Pedro is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Pedro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during summer. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Pedro 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 Pedro 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as Mazatlan. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, San Pedro is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Pedro in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the autumn, San Pedro often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. San Pedro gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Pedro usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. San Pedro 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 Pedro 26°C (80°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro 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 Pedro is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 24°C (74°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. San Pedro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during winter. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In January, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. San Pedro 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 Pedro 24°C (74°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and San Pedro during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.
San Pedro is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Pedro. In the spring, San Pedro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
San Pedro usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. San Pedro 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 Pedro 27°C (80°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and San Pedro
| San Pedro | 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.