A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Cabo San Lucas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Cabo San Lucas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Cabo San Lucas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nassau or Cabo San Lucas?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Nassau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $139. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nassau and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $109
    Cabo San Lucas $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $218
    Cabo San Lucas $126
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Cabo San Lucas

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Cabo San Lucas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nassau


Hotels in Cabo San Lucas


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nassau Hotel Prices and Cabo San Lucas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Cabo San Lucas $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $8.02
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
  • Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
  • Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
  • Group transfer: $68
  • Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
  • Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
  • Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $80
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Nassau Airport (NAS): Private Transfer to Nassau cruise port: $165
  • Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:

  • San Jose del Cabo to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) Departure Transfer: $31
  • Los Cabos Airport (SJD) to San Jose del Cabo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
  • Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Airport CSL Departure Transfer: $33
  • Cabo San Lucas City to Cabo San Lucas Port Private Transfer : $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Port to Cabo San Lucas - Arrival Private Transfer : $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport CSL to Cruise Port Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port - Arrival Private Transfer : $33
  • Departure Transfer from CaboSanLucas to CaboSanLucas Airport(CSL): $33
  • Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lucas Airport CSL Departure Transfer: $33
  • Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port- Departure Private Transfer: $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Port to Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
  • Transfer from Cabo San Lucas Airport CSL to Cabo San Lucas : $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Cabo San Lucas?

Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Nassau change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nassau $53
    Cabo San Lucas $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.

  • Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
  • Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
  • Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
  • Island Food Tour: $140
  • Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with Domestic Open Bar: $64
  • Tasting Cabo San Lucas Like a Local Food Tour: $70
  • Cabo San Lucas Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $75
  • Sea to Table Fisherman's Seafood Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $80
  • Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
  • San Jose del Cabo Morning Food Tour: $86
  • Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $86
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise at Cabo San Lucas Bay: $89
  • Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
  • Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
  • San José del Cabo for Meat Lovers Food Tour: $90
  • Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Cabo San Lucas $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:

  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $5.00
  • Archie's Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack and Spanish Friendly: $7.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
  • Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
  • Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
  • Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
  • Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
  • Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
  • Banana Boat Adventure: $50
  • Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50

Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas

Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Your Own Private Luxury Yacht Experience in Cabo, Lunch included: $1.21
  • Tour paseo al Arco + bajada en playa: $12
  • Boat Tour to Cabo San Lucas Arch and Rock Formations: $18
  • Glass bottom boat tour: $19
  • Water Taxi Tour: $20
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $20
  • Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour - Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Classic Tour to the Arch in Glass Bottom: $23
  • Tour to The Arch from Cabo San Lucas : $29
  • Tour to The Arch and Lover's Beach (optional) from Cabo: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Cabo San Lucas $28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • Cocktail
    $6.52

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

  • Nassau Rum Distillery Tour: $25
  • Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140

Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo Bar Crawl - The BEST Bar and Clubs in Cabo : $55
  • Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Cabo San Lucas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands 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 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Cabo San Lucas?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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.