Which city is cheaper, Mazatlan or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Mazatlan, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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.
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