A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mazatlan vs. Virginia Beach for Food, Beaches, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan or Virginia Beach? 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. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Mazatlan travel costs.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Mazatlan and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mazatlan than Virginia Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mazatlan is better known for its museums and attractions, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts and impressive beauty. Mazatlan is well known for its historic center, authenticity, and surfing areas. Also, Mazatlan is famous for the Malecon. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Mazatlan different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mazatlan is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Mazatlan is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mazatlan has a huge number of terrific 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Mazatlan and Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Mazatlan is not a resort destination.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Mazatlan is great for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Mazatlan is great for its old town. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

Mazatlan is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach More Beautiful?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Mazatlan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to visit, too. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Mazatlan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Virginia Beach is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Mazatlan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly coastal city. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

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 Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mazatlan and Virginia Beach make for a notable 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.

Virginia Beach is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mazatlan is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers 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.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Mazatlan is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is popular with students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Mazatlan is not popular with students.

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

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

While Mazatlan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Mazatlan or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Mazatlan is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Mazatlan?

How long in Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

Both Mazatlan and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Mazatlan. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Mazatlan, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Mazatlan than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In Mazatlan, you'll find nightlife and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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 Virginia Beach?

Mazatlan is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mazatlan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Mazatlan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mazatlan or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Mazatlan and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Mazatlan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Mazatlan is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually gets more rain in July than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Mazatlan is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mazatlan in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In January, Mazatlan is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 20°C (67°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

Mazatlan is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Mazatlan