A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Cancun vs. Cabo San Lucas for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Cabo San Lucas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cancun

Cancun is a adventurous, wild, and party-hard city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a adventurous, scenic, and idyllic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cancun and Cabo San Lucas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are popular destinations, Cabo San Lucas has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cabo San Lucas is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cancun attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Cancun is famous for its water sports, white sand beaches, popularity at spring break, and access to Mayan ruins. Cabo San Lucas is famous for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for Land's End.

How is Cancun different from Cabo San Lucas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Cancun 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 Cancun. It's possible to do a day trip to visit the impressive Chichén Itzá, but closer by you'll find El Rey Maya Ruins and El Meco Archaeological Site. You can also visit the Maya Museum in town. For something truly unique, you can take a diving or snorkeling trip to the Cancun Underwater 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 Cancun or Cabo San Lucas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cancun area. If you step away from the tourist scene, you'll find some amazing local restaurants that serve authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine. Favorite dishes in the area include tamales, sopa de lima, and tacos al pastor.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Nightlife?

The amazing nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

Cancun is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's long been known as a party destination and there are large world famous clubs as well as smaller bars where you can hang out. The party never stops here, so be prepared for all night dancing and drinking, and it will definitely live up to its reputation.

Cabo San Lucas has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Resorts?

Cancun is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Cancun is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find most of the accommodation options in the Hotel Zone, which runs along Boulevard Kukulkan. The stretch can be divided into three areas, which each have a slightly different personality.

There are plenty of resorts in Cabo San Lucas to choose from. 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.

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

Cancun is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its diving and snorkeling.

Cancun is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Beautiful reefs and world class dives make this a popular destination for those who want to explore the undersea world. You'll find plenty of snorkeling and dive excursions in the area with diverse coral and marine life.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Cabo San Lucas. 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.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Beaches?

Cancun is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Cancun is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are stunning white sand beaches and turquoise blue water that make this a beautiful beach destination. There are miles of sandy coastline with many of the beaches found in the Hotel Zone.

Many people visit Cabo San Lucas for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular place for its old town. However, Cancun does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Cancun does not have a historic old town.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Cancun has hiking trails worth exploring. There are some beautiful walking paths and hiking trails that are within the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Cancun to go shopping. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife, there are shopping malls and markets where you can enjoy some retail therapy.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Families?

Cancun 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.

Cancun is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Although this part of Mexico has long had a reputation for its party scene, the area also attracts many families, who come for the family-friendly resorts, world class snorkeling, and fascinating jungle tours. You can snorkel at the Garrafon Natural Reef Park or have fun on the water slides at Ventura Park. Xel-Ha Park is also worth a visit.

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 Cancun or Cabo San Lucas Better for Couples?

Both Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are amazing destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Cancun has plenty to offer. As a world class honeymoon destination, you'll find stunning white sand beaches, amazing snorkeling and diving, and a huge range of entertainment options. You can enjoy the nightlife scene or check out Cirque du Soleil. Sunset boat cruises and romantic horseback rides all make this an amazing honeymoon destination.

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.

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

Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Cancun. Mixed in between the luxury resorts are a few hostels that cater to the backpacker crowd. There are so many activities in the area, from diving to partying, that appeal to the backpacker crowd, that it won't be long before you find your people.

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

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

Cancun has some public transit options. The buses are an efficient way to get around. They stop along Boulevard Kukulcán and throughout the downtown.

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.

Is Cancun or Cabo San Lucas a more walkable city?

Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are superb when it comes to walkability.

Cancun is a very walkable city. The Hotel Zone is where most tourists spend their time, and this area is very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Cabo San Lucas or Cancun?

How long in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Both Cancun and Cabo San Lucas have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Cancun has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cancun than Cabo San Lucas. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Cancun, and 3-7 days is enough time in Cabo San Lucas.

Families should spend more time in Cancun than Cabo San Lucas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cancun, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Cancun 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 Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

In Cancun, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cabo San Lucas. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

Cancun 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.

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cancun. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cabo San Lucas. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

In Cancun, you'll find shopping and museums. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous destination of Cabo San Lucas. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

When comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cancun 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 Cancun Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cancun or Cabo San Lucas?

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