A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mazatlan or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or New Orleans? 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. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Mazatlan travel costs.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and nightlife. See New Orleans travel costs.

Mazatlan and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Mazatlan. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Mazatlan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Mazatlan and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Mazatlan is famous for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas.

The French Quarter

How is Mazatlan different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Mazatlan. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Mazatlan has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to New Orleans just to party. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

If you're looking for night time activities Mazatlan has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Mazatlan is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in New Orleans The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Mazatlan is not a live music destination.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Mazatlan. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Mazatlan attract visitors from all over. 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Mazatlan and New Orleans.

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

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or New Orleans?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mazatlan. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Families?

Mazatlan is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Mazatlan is a family-friendly city. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and New Orleans make for a nice place to visit.

Mazatlan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

New Orleans is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Mazatlan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for students. However, Mazatlan is not popular with students.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Mazatlan is not popular with students.

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

Mazatlan is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Mazatlan has some public transit options. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Mazatlan or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Mazatlan is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Mazatlan. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Mazatlan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the authentic city of Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Mazatlan. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mazatlan or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as New Orleans. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the winter, Mazatlan is much warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and New Orleans. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In April, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Mazatlan