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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Vernon? 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 authentic, historical, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Mazatlan travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Mazatlan and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mazatlan. Although Mazatlan and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Mazatlan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mazatlan is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Vernon is known for its hiking. Mazatlan is popular for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. It is also home to the Malecon. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Mazatlan different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Mazatlan can be an interesting and educational experience. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Mazatlan is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Mazatlan. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Vernon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Mazatlan has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.

Vernon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for the beach. However, Vernon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Mazatlan. 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Vernon does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mazatlan to see the historical old town. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.

Vernon does not have a historic old town.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Mazatlan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Vernon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vernon 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.

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mazatlan or Vernon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Mazatlan. 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.

Vernon offers lots of family activities. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Vernon make for a good 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.

Vernon is a good city for couples to visit. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mazatlan is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Mazatlan or Vernon a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mazatlan and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Mazatlan than in Vernon. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Mazatlan. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Mazatlan or Vernon?

Mazatlan is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Mazatlan or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Mazatlan. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon 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 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and Vernon, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan than you might in Vernon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mazatlan Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Vernon?

Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Vernon. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mazatlan is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mazatlan in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Vernon. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Vernon. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Mazatlan usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. Mazatlan is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Vernon. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches.

In the spring, Mazatlan is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than Vernon. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Mazatlan