A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans 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. Cabo San Lucas is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See New Orleans travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans. Although Cabo San Lucas and New Orleans are both popular with visitors, New Orleans has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New Orleans is more popular for its food, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Cabo San Lucas is known for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Cabo San Lucas is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. New Orleans is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter.

The French Quarter

How is Cabo San Lucas different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Cabo San Lucas is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Cabo San Lucas has a huge number of terrific 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.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans has a better nightlife scene.

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.

The nightlife in New Orleans is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for live music. However, Cabo San Lucas is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Cabo San Lucas is not a live music destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

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

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

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

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

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Cabo San Lucas attract visitors from all over. 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

Both Cabo San Lucas and New Orleans have great historic old towns worth visiting.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Cabo San Lucas is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Cabo San Lucas is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

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

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Cabo San Lucas is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for students. However, Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Cabo San Lucas has some 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 generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventurous city of Cabo San Lucas. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the wild destination of Cabo San Lucas. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the wild city of Cabo San Lucas. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cabo San Lucas. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and New Orleans, 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.