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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Dayton?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Dayton? 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: Mazatlan or Dayton?

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.

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and Dayton, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Mazatlan Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Dayton?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Dayton, 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 Mazatlan or Dayton?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Dayton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Dayton. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mazatlan is a little warmer than Dayton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Dayton averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Dayton. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Mazatlan is much warmer than Dayton in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches.

In the spring, Mazatlan is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Dayton averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dayton and Mazatlan