A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Tulum vs. Mazatlan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Tulum or Mazatlan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Mazatlan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tulum

When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.

Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.

This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible. Of course, Tulum is only one of several archaeological sites in the region, and you can see a comparison of Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan here.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Mazatlan or Tulum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $82, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $53. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tulum and Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tulum $40
    Mazatlan $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tulum $80
    Mazatlan $44

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tulum $19
    Mazatlan $14
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:

  • Airport Transfer Tulum: $130
  • Airport Transfers to Tulum - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $256
  • Cancun Airport private departure transfer (Tulum to Cancun Airport): $103
  • Cancun One Way Private Transfer Airport to Hotel / Hotel to Airport: $61
  • Cancun: International Airport Private Transfer by SUV: $55
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan: $100
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun airport: $121
  • One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $123
  • Private Transfer From Cancun Airport To Tulum: $84
  • Roundtrip private AC Airport Transfer to Tulum: $75
  • Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum - ROUND TRIP: $207
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Tulum Riviera to Cancún Airport: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport to Hotel: $12
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mazatlan International Airport: $12
  • Shared Round -Trip Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan: $69
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT): $69
  • Mazatlan to Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) - Departure Private Transfer: $97
  • Mazatlan International Airport(MZT) to Mazatlan hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $97
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6): $120
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mazatlan International Airport (1 - 6): $120
  • Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $130
  • Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) to Mazatlan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $194
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Mazatlan International Airport (1 - 6): $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Tulum 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tulum $23
    Mazatlan $23
Typical Food prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.

  • Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home: $87
  • Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $180

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: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tulum $21
    Mazatlan $6.44

Tours and Activities in Tulum

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:

  • Discover the ancient Mayan city and its legends on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $6.00
  • Skip the Line: Maya Ruins of Tulum Admission Ticket: $12
  • Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket & Tequila Tasting: $13
  • Tulum Taco Tour: $16
  • Tulum Street Art Tour: $24
  • Tulum City Tour: $24
  • Tulum Mural Tours: $28
  • Cancun: Tulum and Cenotes 5 Hour Guided Tour: $31
  • Tulum Bike Art Tour: $45
  • Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch: $47
  • Tour VIP Coba, Tulum, Cenote & Playa del Carmen: $52

Tours and Activities in Mazatlan

Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $31
  • City Tour in a Traditional "Pulmonia" Open-Air Car: $33
  • Mazatlan - City Tour: $34
  • Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $36
  • Half-Day Mazatlan City Bike Tour: $36
  • Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $39
  • Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $41
  • Puerta de Canoas Tour from Mazatlán with Tortilla Making: $48
  • Sunset Cruise in Mazatlan: $50
  • Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $50
  • Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $54
  • Morning Tour All Inclusive Boat Cruise through Mazatlan Bay: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tulum $17
    Mazatlan $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Mazatlan

Also in Mazatlan, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Tour to El Quelite Village and Tequila Distillery from Mazatlan: $323

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Mazatlan, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum than you might in Mazatlan.

Budget Your Trip

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Tulum vs. Mazatlan Travel Comparison

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