A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Arlington for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cabo San Lucas and Arlington can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a adventurous, scenic, and idyllic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its museums. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Arlington and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

Arlington is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Is the Food Better in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Arlington both to be high quality destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cabo San Lucas makes for a great culinary experience. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Arlington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas is a must-see party destination. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cabo San Lucas. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to see the historical old town. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cabo San Lucas. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cabo San Lucas. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cabo San Lucas. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cabo San Lucas has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas and Arlington are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Many backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a great destination for students. However, Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Arlington can get you around easily. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

While Cabo San Lucas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Arlington a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Arlington both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Cabo San Lucas or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Arlington 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 Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Cabo San Lucas. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Arlington, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the idyllic destination of Cabo San Lucas. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arlington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the wild city of Cabo San Lucas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Arlington. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and Arlington, 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.