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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Hot Springs?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hot Springs? 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 Hot Springs?

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.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

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 Hot Springs, we can see that Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Hot Springs?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs?

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 Hot Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Hot Springs. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as Hot Springs. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and Hot Springs fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Hot Springs during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Hot Springs receives 364 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 Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hot Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Hot Springs. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Hot Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hot Springs fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hot Springs receives 254 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in October than Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hot Springs in the Winter?

Both Hot Springs and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hot Springs can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than Hot Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Hot Springs averages at about 40°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hot Springs during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Hot Springs receives 205 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Hot Springs in the Spring?

Both Hot Springs and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Mazatlan is generally a little warmer than Hot Springs. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and Hot Springs fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hot Springs receives 304 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Hot Springs. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hot Springs and Mazatlan