A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Cabo San Lucas for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas 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.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza is a vibrant, cultural, and lively city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Fortaleza travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a idyllic, wild, and adventurous city. Many visitors also come to Cabo San Lucas because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Fortaleza 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, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Fortaleza attracts visitors for its big city activities. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Fortaleza and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for Land's End. Fortaleza is famous for its beaches, nightlife, and local culture.

How is Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas.

Fortaleza offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Dragão do Mar is the cultural center in town. There are shows and concerts that highlight the local culture. Also part of the complex are a planetarium and two museums - the Museu de Arte Contemporânea and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense. Also worth seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza, which is the third largest cathedral in the country.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cabo San Lucas. 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 Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Fortaleza area. The city has a number of great restaurants that range from Brazilian barbecue restaurants to international cuisine. Many dishes are heavy and use a lot of meat. Local favorites include paçoca and escondidinho de carne seca.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Cabo San Lucas is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Fortaleza offers plenty to do in the evening. Like much of Brazil, the city has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are beachfront bars, live music venues, and many places where you can enjoy a good party. You'll find a high concentration of places around Praia de Iracema and the Casario.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza is not a resort destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Beaches?

Both Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas are considered to be great beach destinations.

The beaches at Fortaleza attract visitors from all over. There are 5 kilometers of sandy beach in town and many visitors enjoy taking long walks. While there are technically four beaches in the area, they all kind of merge together and it can be difficult to tell one from the other. The most popular beach is Meireles, which has a boardwalk and is lined by high rise buildings.

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 Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its old town. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza does not have a historic old town.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for hiking. However, Fortaleza is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas for the hiking trails. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Fortaleza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

If you're looking to go shopping, Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas both offer plenty of great spots.

Fortaleza is well-known for its shopping. It's a large city with plenty of shopping malls and other local boutiques which are fun to explore.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Fortaleza is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Cabo San Lucas because of it's amazing beauty. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

Fortaleza is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Fortaleza is not the most family-friendly destination. There are several beaches and parks where kids will enjoy running around and stretching their legs.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for couples.

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.

Fortaleza is not always the best place to visit for a couple. While it's often overlooked by couples, those who have a few days in town can enjoy the beaches or take a stroll down the beachfront promenade.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Fortaleza is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Fortaleza is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most backpackers skip this city for the more popular destinations.

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

Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Fortaleza offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Metro system includes a rail and light rail system.

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.

Is Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Fortaleza is a somewhat walkable city. It's a relatively walkable city with some neighborhoods easier to explore on foot than others. It's important to understand the area you're in because safety could be a concern.

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

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

How long in Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

Both Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Fortaleza. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Fortaleza, and 3-7 days is enough time in Cabo San Lucas.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Fortaleza. 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 Fortaleza. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

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

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Cabo San Lucas. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

Fortaleza is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the idyllic destination of Cabo San Lucas. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fortaleza. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the idyllic city of Cabo San Lucas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Fortaleza. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South America and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Fortaleza.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Cabo San Lucas?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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.