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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Eugene?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Eugene? 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 Eugene?

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.

Eugene

At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Eugene?

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

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 Eugene in the Summer?

Both Eugene and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than Eugene in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Eugene. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Eugene in the Autumn?

Both Eugene and Mazatlan during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Eugene averages at about 55°F (13°C).

Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Eugene in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Eugene. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

In January, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

Eugene receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Eugene. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Eugene in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Eugene. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Eugene in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Eugene. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Eugene and Mazatlan