Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Phnom Penh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh 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.
Where Should I go: Phnom Penh or Cabo San Lucas?
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in the country of Cambodia. It is located at the edge of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers and is the nation's center of economics and industry. The metropolitan area has a population of about 2.2 million.
Phnom Penh was once called the "Pearl of Asia." In the 1920s it was one of the most impressive French built cities in the region and was an important tourist destination. During the Vietnam War, refugees fled to the city and by 1975 the city's population was between 2 and 3 million, most of them being refugees. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and they cut off supplies to the population for over a year. Journalists reported torture and mutilation of the trapped civilians and the Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the city in what is known as the death march. The Khmer Rouge was driven from the city by the Vietnamese in 1979 and reconstruction began.
Today, tourism continues to grow in the city and those who visit are greeted by a welcoming and friendly population, a rich culture, and truly rewarding travel experience.
Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. It is hot year around with very little temperature variation. Lows are usually in the low 70s Fahrenheit and highs are in the mid to high 90s Fahrenheit. The southwest monsoon brings rains between May and October and the northeast monsoon brings the dry season from November to March.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $50Cabo San Lucas $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $50, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $161. 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 Phnom Penh and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Cabo San Lucas $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Cabo San Lucas $116
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh 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.
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: Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.84Cabo San Lucas $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Battambang: Transfer From/To Sihanoukville & Hidden Gems: $50
- From Private Transfer To/From Siem Reap: $58
- From Sihanouk: Private Taxi Transfer to Phnom Penh City: $73
- Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $95
- PHN Airport Transfer Plus Killing Field, Toul Sleng Museum: $65
- Phnom Penh - Battambang Transfer Plus Stop Sightseeing: $118
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Oudongk Sambor Prei Kuk Transfer Day Trip: $105
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Road Transfer Plus Sightseeing: $99
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers: $65
- Phnom Penh To Techo Airport (KTI) By Private Transfer: $35
- Phnom Penh to Battambang Private Taxi Transfer: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas IDA: $125
- Airport Transfers to Cabo San Lucas Pacifico Hotels RT: $295
- Cabo Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Round-Trip Private Transfer: $188
- Cabo Airport Transportation (SJD) | Private Transfers: $125
- Cabo Migriño: Choose 2 Activities + Airport Transfers & Tequila: $170
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas-Roundtrip Transfer: $153
- Cabo San Lucas Airport to Hotel 1-Way Transfer Service: $300
- Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Cabo San Lucas hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Cabo San Lucas- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Cabo San Lucas Port to Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Phnom Penh 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
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Food Meals for one dayPhnom Penh $22Cabo San Lucas $81
Typical Food Prices in Phnom Penh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:
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Dinner for Two$10
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Breakfast for Two$4.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
- Dinner 4-course Mekong River cruise with Kanika Boat: $27
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Evening City Tour by Tuk Tuk with 1 Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
- Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $39
- Authentic Walking Food Tour with Local Guide: $39
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.
- Mexican Cooking Class and Garden Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $75
- Cabo Sunset E-Bike Beach Ride with Mexican Dinner and Margaritas: $79
- Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
- Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $80
- Cabo Sunset Tour with Dinner and Open Bar: $80
- Small-Group Food Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $82
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $85
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $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
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.62Cabo San Lucas $39
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Riverside Walking Tour with Snack, Drinks & Local Ferry Ride: $7.20
- Sunset Cruise-"Unlimited BBQ Buffet-Beers, Sodas & Fruit Platter": $7.45
- Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.81
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong with Kanika Boat: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Sunset Cruise with free flow beer, soft drinks & fruit platter: $8.99
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $15
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch in Cabo San Lucas: $15
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Optional Hotel Pickup: $15
- ATV and Camel Experience Los Cabos: $17
- Ultimate Camel Safari Experience in Los Cabos: $17
- ATV Ride and Camel Experience A Double Adventure: $17
- Cabo San Lucas Arch and Lover's Beach Boat Tour: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch with Beach Time: $19
- Shared Tour to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Arch Tour by Glass Bottom Boat: $20
- Cabo San Lucas Arches Boat Tour with Swimming and Beach Stop: $20
- Cabo San Lucas Glass-Bottom Boat Tour to the Famous Arch: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.32Cabo San Lucas $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Phnom Penh Pub Crawl with Free Mad Monkey Singlet: $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phnom Penh Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Cabo San Lucas?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.