A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. The Hamptons for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

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 The Hamptons 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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is a wealthy, opulent, and lavish beach destination. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cabo San Lucas and The Hamptons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and The Hamptons are both popular with visitors, Cabo San Lucas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cabo San Lucas is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while The Hamptons is known for its shopping. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than The Hamptons and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. The Hamptons is popular for its long sandy beaches, charming seaside communities, opulent villas, and vacationing celebrities.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from The Hamptons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons?

Cabo San Lucas is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, The Hamptons 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.

The Hamptons does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

The Hamptons has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of fine dining restaurants in the area and seafood is a favorite. Some restaurants are known to be frequented by vacationing celebrities, so if you're hoping to spot someone famous, do some research and you may have some luck.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities The Hamptons has a few options to choose from. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars throughout the area. Head to East Hampton for some of the best options.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Cabo San Lucas and The Hamptons have great options.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in The Hamptons to choose from. Known as a hangout for the rich and famous, there is no shortage of luxury hotels and resorts in the area.

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

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

The Hamptons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its beaches. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

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.

The Hamptons offers a nice beach destination. The beaches in the area feature long stretches of soft sand and plenty of space to spread out. Many beaches do come with a hefty price tag though as they require you to pay for parking or a permit.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its historic old town. However, The Hamptons does not have a historic old town.

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.

The Hamptons does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for 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.

The Hamptons offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of picturesque walks through the dunes and wetlands around the area. There is plenty of peaceful nature to explore if you're looking for a break from city life.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

The Hamptons is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

The Hamptons is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known as a playground for the rich and famous, you can be assured there are plenty of shopping opportunities where you can flash your cash around town.

Cabo San Lucas is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

The Hamptons offers lots of family activities. The area has a family-friendly setting with many outdoor activities and a children's museum. There are music events, children's parks, small zoos, and, of course, the beach. Also make sure you pick up some ice cream and enjoy that quintessential beach experience.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class destination for romance. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

The Hamptons is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy beaches, dining out, and escaping the chaos of city life will enjoy a retreat here. The area has many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, but there are also amazing restaurants that make for a great date night.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for backpackers. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination 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.

The Hamptons is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's more popular with the rich and famous than it is with the budget crowd, so you may struggle to find an affordable place to stay, much less a hostel.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a city with good options for its public transit. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination 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 quite limited in The Hamptons. While there are trains between towns, there aren't many options when it comes to public transit.

Is Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its walkability. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

The Hamptons is a somewhat walkable place. While some of the towns offer a nice place for a stroll, most of the Hamptons is not very walkable and it's best to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in The Hamptons or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

Both Cabo San Lucas and The Hamptons have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Cabo San Lucas has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than The Hamptons. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than The Hamptons. 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 The Hamptons. 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 The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this wild city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In The Hamptons, you'll find nightlife and food. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 The Hamptons?

Cabo San Lucas is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

The Hamptons 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.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hamptons. It's also a relaxing resort destination. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In The Hamptons, you'll find nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 shopping. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or The Hamptons?

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