Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Mazatlan?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $122Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, 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 Veracruz and Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
- Airport Transfer: $25
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: $261
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $235
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50Mazatlan $34
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.Veracruz $15Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour: $7.90
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $22
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $23
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $25
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $26
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $26
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $29
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 dayVeracruz $17Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Mazatlan, we can see that Veracruz 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Mazatlan?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Mazatlan?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Veracruz or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Mazatlan. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Veracruz is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Veracruz this time of the year. In the summer, Veracruz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. Veracruz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 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 JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In the autumn, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Veracruz in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Veracruz. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 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 OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan and Veracruz during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 21°C (71°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Mazatlan. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
Veracruz is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In Veracruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during spring. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.