A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Columbia River Gorge for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge 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 wild, adventurous, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a scenic, natural, and beautiful region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge are both popular with visitors, Cabo San Lucas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Columbia River Gorge and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. Columbia River Gorge is popular for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Cabo San Lucas is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its museums and history.

Cabo San Lucas is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

While most people don't head to Columbia River Gorge specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Is the Food Better in Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Cabo San Lucas just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge are destinations which offer high quality hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Many visitors go to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbia River Gorge. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge are high quality to visit with kids.

Cabo San Lucas is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Columbia River Gorge is very family-friendly. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Columbia River Gorge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

Cabo San Lucas has a few public transit options. 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 mostly limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a good region for its high level of walkability.

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

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable city. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cabo San Lucas and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Cabo San Lucas. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Columbia River Gorge, 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.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

Cabo San Lucas is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Columbia River Gorge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Cabo San Lucas for five days. Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the adventurous destination of Cabo San Lucas. Many people spend one week here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, one week is sufficent for most.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the region of Columbia River Gorge. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Columbia River Gorge?

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