A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Hershey for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Mazatlan or Hershey?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hershey? 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.

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a historical, cultural, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Mazatlan travel costs.

Hershey

Hershey is a fun-filled, playful, and lighthearted town. And you can't forget about the shopping and museums. See Hershey travel costs.

Mazatlan and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Hershey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Hershey are popular destinations, Mazatlan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mazatlan is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Hershey attracts visitors for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Mazatlan and is known for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Mazatlan is famous for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also well known for the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hershey and Mazatlan. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mazatlan or Hershey?

Mazatlan is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Mazatlan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

Is the Food Better in Mazatlan or Hershey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mazatlan is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Mazatlan makes for a great culinary experience. Stewed meats and shrimp are a big part of the cuisine here. Many recipes have a little bit of spice. The restaurants around town are authentic and local, making for a great dining experience.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Mazatlan is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Mazatlan has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are plenty of bars and clubs around town, particularly along the beach. Like anywhere else, remember to stay cautious late at night around town. This is considered to be one of the less safe parts of Mexico.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Hershey is well known for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Hershey is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hershey is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Mazatlan has a few good snorkeling spots. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Hershey is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is a great destination for its beaches. However, Hershey is not a beach destination.

Mazatlan is considered a top beach destination. There are many stretches of beach around town. Most notable is the 13 miles that run along Malecon where there's a boardwalk. Surfing is also popular in the area.

Hershey is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mazatlan. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Hershey?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Hershey and Mazatlan.

Mazatlan offers some nice shopping areas. There are local shops, big box stores, and souvenir vendors where you can pick up anything you may need or items to commemorate your trip.

Hershey has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Families?

Hershey is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Mazatlan offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the all-inclusive resorts and the waterfront setting. There are also many cultural opportunities such as markets, history, and shows. The food is very kid-friendly as well.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Couples?

Hershey is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Hershey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Mazatlan is a good city for couples to visit. The resorts are romantic and the beaches are stunning. If you're looking for an idyllic escape that also has culture, authenticity, and great food, then this is your spot.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is a great destination for backpackers. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Mazatlan. The laid back atmosphere makes this a great stopover for backpackers who want to experience the Mexican culture. Stick to the touristy areas if possible.

Hershey is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there are some fun activities in the area.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mazatlan is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Mazatlan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Mazatlan or Hershey a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a great destination for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Mazatlan is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Mazatlan Worth Visiting? and Is Hershey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hershey or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Hershey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mazatlan and Hershey. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Mazatlan than in Hershey. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hershey.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Hershey. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Mazatlan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Mazatlan than Hershey. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mazatlan that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mazatlan than Hershey if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Mazatlan.

One day in Mazatlan or Hershey?

In Mazatlan, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The town of Hershey offers museums and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Mazatlan or Hershey?

In Mazatlan, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Hershey is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hershey, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Hershey?

Mazatlan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mazatlan has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Hershey is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Mazatlan or Hershey?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Mazatlan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Hershey is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Hershey?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

Both Hershey and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.

In July, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Hershey fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Hershey. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Hershey during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Hershey. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Mazatlan during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hershey for the shopping scene.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Hershey in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Hershey. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hershey in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Hershey. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hershey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hershey can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Hershey. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Hershey averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Hershey. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hershey in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Hershey. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Hershey fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Hershey. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Mazatlan