Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Ushuaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ushuaia or Mazatlan?
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, 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 dayUshuaia $11Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $11, 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 Ushuaia and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUshuaia $5.64Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $11Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia 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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Mazatlan $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Ushuaia: $139
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
- Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $28
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
- Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
- Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $295
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $235
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Ushuaia 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 dayUshuaia $2.18Mazatlan $34
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
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.Ushuaia $13Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $22
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
- Ushuaia City Tour: $26
- Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
- An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
- City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
- End of the World Train Ticket: $45
- Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
- Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
- Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60
- Tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia: $62
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $211
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Mazatlan $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ushuaia is in South 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan than you might in Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia or Mazatlan?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Ushuaia is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Mazatlan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ushuaia as well as Mazatlan. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In the summer, Ushuaia is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ushuaia in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the summer, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Mazatlanin July. Ushuaia gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. Ushuaia usually gets less rain in January than Mazatlanin July. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyUshuaia 10°C (50°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Ushuaia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene.
In April, Ushuaia is generally much colder than Mazatlanin October. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 6°C (43°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Ushuaia gets 74 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Ushuaia usually receives less rain than Mazatlanin October. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and Ushuaia during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ushuaia. Ushuaia is much colder than Mazatlan in the winter. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 2°C (36°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Mazatlanin January. Ushuaia gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Ushuaia usually gets more rain in July than Mazatlanin January. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryUshuaia 2°C (36°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ushuaia and Mazatlan. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Ushuaia is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ushuaia in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during spring. Ushuaia gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Ushuaia usually receives more rain than Mazatlanin April. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Ushuaia
| Ushuaia | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.