A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Saint Augustine for Nightlife, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine 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 scenic, idyllic, and wild city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine are both popular with visitors, Cabo San Lucas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cabo San Lucas is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saint Augustine is known for its museums and historical sights. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

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 Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is very popular for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Cabo San Lucas is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine are considered to be high quality beach destinations.

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.

Many people visit Saint Augustine for it's beautiful beaches. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The historic old town of Saint Augustine is revered around the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Cabo San Lucas. 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.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

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.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Saint Augustine and Cabo San Lucas.

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.

Saint Augustine is well-known for its shopping. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine 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, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is very popular for romance. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Saint Augustine is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options 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.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine 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, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cabo San Lucas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine?

The idyllic destination of Cabo San Lucas offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Saint Augustine, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint Augustine?

The city of Cabo San Lucas offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine?

The adventurous city of Cabo San Lucas offers museums and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Saint Augustine. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cabo San Lucas and Saint Augustine, we can see that Saint Augustine is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Saint Augustine?

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