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

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

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 Cape Canaveral 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 idyllic, wild, and adventurous city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Cabo San Lucas and Cape Canaveral: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Cape Canaveral, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cape Canaveral is more popular for its museums. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Cape Canaveral and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Cape Canaveral is well known for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Cape Canaveral?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral?

Cape Canaveral is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Canaveral that are not to be missed. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

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 Cape Canaveral? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Cabo San Lucas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Cabo San Lucas is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its luxury resorts. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its resorts.

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.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for hiking. However, Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cape Canaveral is an extremely popular town to visit for families. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cabo San Lucas is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Cape Canaveral is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Cape Canaveral is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You won't find any hostels in the area, but you may have some luck finding affordable accommodation nearby.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable city. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

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

Should I spend more time in Cape Canaveral or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cabo San Lucas and Cape Canaveral. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Cape Canaveral. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cape Canaveral.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Cape Canaveral. 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 Cape Canaveral. 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral?

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Cape Canaveral, you'll find food and shopping. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cabo San Lucas. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Canaveral. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the town of Cape Canaveral. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabo San Lucas and Cape Canaveral, we can see that Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Cape Canaveral?

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