Which place is cheaper, Cancun or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Cancun can help you decide which place is right for you.
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico, and The Best Cultural Tours in Mexico.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $124. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and Cancun in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Cancun? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Cancun and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Cancun, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Cancun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Cancun is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cancun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cancun 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Cancun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Cancun Expensive?.
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Cancun, 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.