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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls? 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 cultural, authentic, and historical city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Mazatlan travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a breathtaking, impressive, and iconic city. The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Mazatlan and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

You'll generally find more things to do in Mazatlan than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan is bigger than Niagara Falls, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Mazatlan is better known for its museums and attractions, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Niagara Falls is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Mazatlan and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. Mazatlan is well known for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. Also, Mazatlan is famous for the Malecon.

How is Mazatlan different from Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

Mazatlan is notable for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

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

Mazatlan is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mazatlan. 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.

Niagara Falls is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Mazatlan and Niagara Falls.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Niagara Falls has a few options to choose from. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is notable for the beach. However, Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is notable for its old town. However, Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls does not have a historic old town.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Niagara Falls. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Mazatlan is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Niagara Falls is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

Mazatlan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls 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, Niagara Falls is a very family-friendly destination. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Niagara Falls frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is notable for backpackers. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mazatlan is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Niagara Falls is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Mazatlan and Niagara Falls.

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

While Niagara Falls offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system through town.

Is Mazatlan or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

Mazatlan is a very walkable city. The city is relatively walkable.

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

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

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historical destination of Mazatlan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful city of Niagara Falls offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Niagara Falls 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Niagara Falls, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the cultural destination of Mazatlan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Mazatlan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Niagara Falls is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Niagara Falls?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Niagara Falls. The summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.

Mazatlan is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives less sunshine than Niagara Falls during summer. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 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 Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Niagara Falls. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the autumn, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

Both Niagara Falls 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. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

Both Niagara Falls and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the natural beauty during these months.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Niagara Falls. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Mazatlan