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

Should you visit Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a genuine, sprawling, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Jakarta 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. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas 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, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Jakarta is known for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Jakarta and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. Jakarta is popular for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.

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

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

Jakarta 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 Jakarta. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

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 Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cabo San Lucas. 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 Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Cabo San Lucas is a must-see party destination. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Jakarta is not a resort destination.

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.

Jakarta is not a resort destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

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.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its historic old town. However, Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

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.

Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for hiking. However, Jakarta 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.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

If you're looking to go shopping, Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Jakarta. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta 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.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is terrific for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Cabo San Lucas is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Cabo San Lucas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known 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.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

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

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

How long in Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

Both Jakarta 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 Jakarta. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 3-7 days is enough time in Cabo San Lucas.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Jakarta. 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 Jakarta. 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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

Because Jakarta is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

Jakarta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cabo San Lucas has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Jakarta. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cabo San Lucas. In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta is in Asia 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 Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Jakarta.

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

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Cabo San Lucas?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.