Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $190Cabo San Lucas $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $190, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $161. 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 Akureyri and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $103Cabo San Lucas $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $206Cabo San Lucas $116
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Cabo San Lucas $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- 1 Way Private Transfer Los Cabos Airport to Todos Santos: $200
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas & Pacific side Hotels & Villas Round Trip: $179
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas IDA: $123
- Airport Transfers to Cabo San Lucas Pacifico Hotels RT: $289
- Cabo Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Round-Trip Private Transfer: $188
- Cabo Airport Transportation (SJD) | Private Transfers: $125
- Cabo Migriño: Choose 2 Activities + Airport Transfers & Tequila: $167
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas -Arrival Transfer: $77
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas-Roundtrip Transfer: $153
- Cabo San Lucas Airport to Hotel 1-Way Transfer Service: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Akureyri 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.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayAkureyri $71Cabo San Lucas $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Mexican Cooking Class and Garden Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $75
- Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $78
- Cabo Sunset E-Bike Beach Ride with Mexican Dinner and Margaritas: $79
- Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
- Cabo Sunset Tour with Dinner and Open Bar: $80
- Small-Group Food Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $82
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $83
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $89
- Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $95
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Cabo San Lucas $39
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- Húsavík Whale Museum Ticket: $22
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $23
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $74
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $82
- Whale Watching and Puffin Tour from Hauganes: $90
- Whale Watching Adventure in Akureyri: $95
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Heated Indoor Seating: $97
- Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik: $99
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cabo San Lucas 45 Minute Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $14
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $14
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch in Cabo San Lucas: $15
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Optional Hotel Pickup: $15
- ATV and Camel Experience Los Cabos: $17
- Ultimate Camel Safari Experience in Los Cabos: $17
- ATV Ride and Camel Experience A Double Adventure: $17
- Cabo San Lucas Arch and Lover's Beach Boat Tour: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch with Beach Time: $19
- Shared Tour to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Arch Tour by Glass Bottom Boat: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Arches Boat Tour with Swimming and Beach Stop: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Cabo San Lucas $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Cabo San Lucas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cabo San Lucas 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Cabo San Lucas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Cabo San Lucas, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.