A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cajamarca vs. Mazatlan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca and Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cajamarca or Mazatlan?

Cajamarca

Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Cajamarca?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cajamarca Prices
    Peru Prices
    Mazatlan Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cajamarca $95
    Mazatlan $94

The average daily cost (per person) in Cajamarca is $95, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $94. 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 Cajamarca and Mazatlan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cajamarca $26
    Mazatlan $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cajamarca $52
    Mazatlan $58
Compare Hotels in Cajamarca and Mazatlan

Looking for a hotel in Cajamarca 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.

Hotels in Cajamarca


Hotels in Mazatlan


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cajamarca $18
    Mazatlan $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Cajamarca or Mazatlan?

Prices for flights to both Mazatlan and Cajamarca 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
    Cajamarca $52
    Mazatlan $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cajamarca $28
    Mazatlan $8.67

Tours and Activities in Cajamarca

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

  • Tour to the Pre Inca Otuzco Necropolis, Botanical Garden and Hacienda: $28
  • From Porcón Farm and Huambocancha Workshops Tour: $28
  • Namora Valley Tour + Guitar Workshop & San Nicolas Lagoon: $28
  • La Colpa, Llacanora & Baños del Inca Tour: $34
  • Tour to Hacienda La Colpa and Baños del Inca: $35
  • Pocon and Otuzco farm tour: $39
  • Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolas Lagoon: $40
  • Cajamarca in its Splendor: San Nicolas Lagoon Tour: $40
  • Cajamarca Valley Tour – San Nicolas Lagoon: $40
  • || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $45
  • From City Tour Cajamarca: $47
  • Guided tour of the city + pick-up: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cajamarca $17
    Mazatlan $16


When comparing the travel costs between Cajamarca and Mazatlan, we can see that Cajamarca is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Cajamarca is in South America and Mazatlan is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cajamarca Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cajamarca or Mazatlan?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cajamarca. When comparing the sizes of Cajamarca 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.