A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Cancun for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bilbao or Cancun?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Cancun. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Cancun

Cancun is a wild, party-hard, and tropical city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bilbao and Cancun: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Cancun?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cancun than Bilbao. Cancun is bigger than Bilbao, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cancun is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Cancun is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its water sports, white sand beaches, popularity at spring break, and access to Mayan ruins. Also, Cancun is famous for . Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Cancun?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cancun and Bilbao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bilbao or Cancun?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Bilbao and Cancun.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bilbao. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Cancun offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's possible to do a day trip to visit the impressive Chichén Itzá, but closer by you'll find El Rey Maya Ruins and El Meco Archaeological Site. You can also visit the Maya Museum in town. For something truly unique, you can take a diving or snorkeling trip to the Cancun Underwater Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bilbao or Cancun? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bilbao is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bilbao has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cancun area. If you step away from the tourist scene, you'll find some amazing local restaurants that serve authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine. Favorite dishes in the area include tamales, sopa de lima, and tacos al pastor.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Nightlife?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Cancun has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's long been known as a party destination and there are large world famous clubs as well as smaller bars where you can hang out. The party never stops here, so be prepared for all night dancing and drinking, and it will definitely live up to its reputation.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Resorts?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Cancun for its luxury resorts. You'll find most of the accommodation options in the Hotel Zone, which runs along Boulevard Kukulkan. The stretch can be divided into three areas, which each have a slightly different personality.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Cancun. Beautiful reefs and world class dives make this a popular destination for those who want to explore the undersea world. You'll find plenty of snorkeling and dive excursions in the area with diverse coral and marine life.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Beaches?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Cancun offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are stunning white sand beaches and turquoise blue water that make this a beautiful beach destination. There are miles of sandy coastline with many of the beaches found in the Hotel Zone.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its old town. However, Cancun does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bilbao. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Cancun does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Hiking?

Cancun is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Cancun offers some nice hiking trails. There are some beautiful walking paths and hiking trails that are within the area.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Cancun?

Bilbao is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Many visitors go to Cancun to go shopping. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife, there are shopping malls and markets where you can enjoy some retail therapy.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Families?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cancun is very family-friendly. Although this part of Mexico has long had a reputation for its party scene, the area also attracts many families, who come for the family-friendly resorts, world class snorkeling, and fascinating jungle tours. You can snorkel at the Garrafon Natural Reef Park or have fun on the water slides at Ventura Park. Xel-Ha Park is also worth a visit.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Couples?

Cancun is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Cancun is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. As a world class honeymoon destination, you'll find stunning white sand beaches, amazing snorkeling and diving, and a huge range of entertainment options. You can enjoy the nightlife scene or check out Cirque du Soleil. Sunset boat cruises and romantic horseback rides all make this an amazing honeymoon destination.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cancun is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cancun is a great city to visit for backpackers. Mixed in between the luxury resorts are a few hostels that cater to the backpacker crowd. There are so many activities in the area, from diving to partying, that appeal to the backpacker crowd, that it won't be long before you find your people.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Students?

Bilbao is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Cancun is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Cancun is not popular with students.

Is Bilbao or Cancun Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bilbao is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Cancun, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The buses are an efficient way to get around. They stop along Boulevard Kukulcán and throughout the downtown.

Is Bilbao or Cancun a more walkable city?

Cancun is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Cancun is a very walkable city. The Hotel Zone is where most tourists spend their time, and this area is very walkable.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is Cancun Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cancun or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Cancun?

Both Bilbao and Cancun have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cancun than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 4-7 days is enough time in Cancun.

Families should spend more time in Cancun than Bilbao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cancun, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cancun than Bilbao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cancun that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cancun than Bilbao 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 Cancun.

One day in Bilbao or Cancun?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cancun. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Cancun?

Bilbao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cancun 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.

Five days in Bilbao or Cancun?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cancun. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bilbao or Cancun?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Bilbao. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the wild destination of Cancun. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico, and The Best Cultural Tours in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Cancun, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Cancun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is Cancun Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Cancun?

Cancun has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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.