Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba 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 Aqaba 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: Aqaba or Cabo San Lucas?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Cabo San Lucas $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, 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 Aqaba and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Cabo San Lucas $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Cabo San Lucas $116
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Cabo San Lucas $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra: $90
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Aqaba Port to Wadi Rum: $85
- From Transfer to Amman Hotels or Amman Airport: $113
- Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas IDA: $125
- Airport Transfers to Cabo San Lucas Pacifico Hotels RT: $295
- Cabo Airport Transportation (SJD) | Private Transfers: $125
- 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 to Hotel 1-Way Transfer Service: $300
- Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Airport CSL Departure Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Cabo San Lucas hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Port to Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Port to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) - Departure Private Transferl: $96
- Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $274
- Cabo San Lucas hotels to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) - Private Departure Transfer: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Aqaba 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
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Food Meals for one dayAqaba $73Cabo San Lucas $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $80
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $107
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
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: $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
- 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
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Yo Ho Pirate Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave: $99
- Cabo San Lucas Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Cabo San Lucas $39
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- Two-hour Jeep tour - Wadi Rum desert: $20
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Aqaba Local Food, Market & Culture Walking Tour: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $32
- Half-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum with Sandboarding & Sunset: $33
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 Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $14
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch in Cabo San Lucas: $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 Glass-Bottom Boat Tour to the Famous Arch: $20
- The Original Adventure of Cabo: Arch and Love Beach: $22
- Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $25
- Cabo San Lucas Arc Transparent Boat Tour: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Cabo San Lucas $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When comparing the travel costs between Aqaba and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Aqaba is in Middle East and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Cabo San Lucas?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.