Cabo vs Cancun: Where Should You Go?

Guest post by Daria of The Discovery Nut

Cabo San Lucas and Cancun are among the most popular destinations in Mexico for many travelers.

Both are resort towns with some of the best hotels in Mexico, stunning coastlines, and incredible activities and opportunities for adventure. So where should you go on your next vacation: Cancun or Cabo? 

In this article, we will take a close look at both Cancun and Cabo to find out what makes them different and help you determine which one works better for your next destination. 

Cancun vs Cabo: Location 

Cancun 

Cancun is located along Mexico’s Caribbean Coast and is a good starting point for traveling around the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is one of the biggest tourist hubs in the world. The Cancun International Airport (CUN) has hundreds of daily flights from all over the world. 

It’s also easy to get to Cancun from many cities on the East Coast or Midwest of the United States.

Cabo San Lucas 

Cabo San Lucas is in the state of Baja California Sur, in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Cabo San Lucas is a resort town along the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula. Cabo San Lucas is easier to get to from the West Coast destinations like Los Angeles, San Diego, or Phoenix. 

It is served mostly by flights from the United States and doesn’t have flights from Europe, unlike Cancun, so if you are trying to get to Cabo from outside the United States, you will need to fly to Mexico City or Cancun and take a connecting flight to Cabo San Lucas from there. 

Cabo vs Cancun: Getting There

Getting to Cancun

To get to Cancun, you will fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and either rent a car, book a shuttle service, or catch a taxi (the most expensive option) to your hotel. I recommend renting a car in Cancun, as it will allow you to get around quickly and visit cenotes, Mayan ruins, and other points of interest in the area.

Getting to Cabo San Lucas 

To get to Cabo San Lucas, fly to San Jose Del Cabo International Airport (SJD) in San Jose Del Cabo, a sister city about 25 miles away from Cabo San Lucas. To get from San Jose Del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas, you can rent a car, book a shuttle or catch a taxi or public transportation. 

Rent a car in Cabo San Lucas as soon as you land. This way, you can explore some of the best places near Cabo San Lucas that often can’t be accessed by public transportation. 

What is Cabo San Lucas known for?

Cabo San Lucas is known for its dramatic coastline with rugged desert landscapes, many beaches, and opportunities for adventure like hiking, snorkeling, diving, and incredible marine wildlife.

Cabo is known for its high-end resorts, but there’s more to this place than just partying, golfing, and staying in all-inclusive resorts. If you want to get outside the resort, explore downtown Cabo San Lucas with many restaurants serving delicious Mexican food and great nightlife in places like Skid Row. And how about going on a food tour or a tequila tour? 

But more than anything, Cabo San Lucas is a great starting point for your road trip around Baja, thanks to its proximity to places like Todos Santos and La Paz. 

What is Cancun known for?

Cancun is known for its incredible white-sand beaches, relaxed vibes, and great nightlife. It is also a great starting point for your adventures around the Yucatan Peninsula, as it’s within a few hours from UNESCO-listed sites like Chichén Itzá and Valladolid, as well as popular beach towns Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.

Read my guide to the best places to visit in Yucatan to plan your adventure from Cancun. 

Cancun is also within driving distance of cenotes, caverns filled with crystal-clear water where you can swim, snorkel, and even dive. You can visit many of them with a guide and my guide to the best cenotes near Cancun will help you to choose the right one! 

Best things to do in Cabo San Lucas 

Most things to do in Cabo San Lucas revolve around spending time outside. From surfing to visiting the beaches, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, Cabo San Lucas is a perfect place for the outdoorsy types of travelers. 

Unlike Cancun, which feels too developed and crowded, you can find plenty of remote vistas with many travelers within one hour of Cabo San Lucas. If you want to visit some of the best places near Cabo San Lucas, I recommend taking a day trip to Todos Santos and Balandra Beach near La Paz. 

And, there is a great party scene, golfing, and plenty of great restaurants where you can try traditional Mexican dishes and seafood. 

Best things to do in Cancun 

While Cancun doesn’t offer a lot in terms of culture, it offers many day trips and quick access to many places around the Yucatan Peninsula where you can learn everything about the Mayan culture. 

Similar to Cabo San Lucas, most activities in Cancun revolve around spending time outside and being on the water. Whether you want to snorkel, dive or zipline, you can book many tours from Cancun through Viator. 

Some of the most popular day trips from Cancun are Chichén Itzá, Isla Mujeres, Playa Del Carmen, Akumal, and Tulum. 

And, of course, Cancun beaches are not to be missed! After all, there’s a reason why millions of travelers from all over the world come here every year! 

Cancun beaches 

Cancun is known for its sugary white-sand beaches along Zona Hotelera where the most popular hotels and resorts in Cancun are. Most beaches in Cancun are perfectly suitable for swimming, and beaches like Playa Delfines, Playa Marlin, and Playa Norte tend to be the most popular among travelers. Cancun beaches are known to be family-friendly and have smaller waves. 

Cabo beaches 

Cabo boasts many gorgeous golden-sand beaches surrounded by mountains and tall cacti. But not all of them are safe for swimming because of dangerous currents, especially on the Pacific side.

Even if you are an experienced swimmer, check with a lifeguard on duty, as waves around many Cabo beaches can be strong and there also could be dangerous currents present. 

On the other hand, there are also plenty of great surfing beaches around Cabo San Lucas, which you will not find in Cancun. If you are a surfer, you will love many surfing beaches near Cabo. Many of them can be accessed by a quick car ride. 

Still, there are plenty of gorgeous beaches near Cabo San Lucas where you can enjoy a swim like Chileno Beach, Medano Beach, and Lovers Beach.

Hotels in Cancun

Most all-inclusive hotels in Cancun are located around Zona Hotelera and can be pricey. There are no boutique hotels, and if you are looking for more budget-friendly accommodation, you will need to stay near downtown Cancun or around residential areas. 

Overall, Cancun has a better variety of resorts than Cabo, but resorts in Cabo tend to be more luxurious and higher-end than in Cancun. 

Hotels in Cabo San Lucas

Most famous hotels in Cabo are also located in the resort area, while downtown Cabo San Lucas has many budget accommodations that cost under $100 per night. 

While most hotels in Cabo cost about $200 per night and up, you have more affordable options. 

Downtown Cabo San Lucas, its sister city San Jose Del Cabo, and the Corridor, the area between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, have plenty of budget accommodations with access to the beach and better prices than Cabo. 

Cancun vs Cabo: Restaurants 

Cancun and Cabo have many good restaurants, so it’s hard to say who has the best. 

Cancun is a bigger destination and has a slightly better variety of international cuisines and traditional Mexican dishes. For example, you can find some great restaurants serving Yucatec food, since the state of Yucatan is right next to the State of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is. 

Downtown Cancun has a good variety of inexpensive eateries where you can spend a fraction of what a typical meal would cost in the Cancun Hotel Zone, where everything is catered to tourists. 

Most restaurants in Cabo San Lucas offer a mix of Mexican and Mediterranean food, with a focus on seafood. But you can also find more options like Japanese and Chinese restaurants, in downtown Cabo San Lucas. 

If you want to explore the local food scene, I recommend a food tour. Cabo San Lucas is known for its taco and tequila tours, and Cancun has many cooking classes and food tours. 

Cancun vs Cabo: Best time to visit 

Best time to visit Cancun 

Like the rest of Mexico’s Caribbean, Cancun has the best weather from December through early May with plenty of sunshine and little rain. It’s also the busiest time in Cancun when thousands of visitors come here, and prices on hotels, tours, food, and car rentals are the highest.

The low season in Cancun is from June through October. During this time, the area receives the most precipitation, and rainstorms are not uncommon.

 But you can still enjoy Cancun during this time, as rain tends to fall in the afternoon and lasts only a few hours. The best thing about visiting Cancun during the low season is that you get the lowest prices on hotels, tours, and car rentals. 

If you are looking for perfect weather and low prices, the best time to visit Cancun is the shoulder season from November through early December or from May through early June before the rainy season begins.

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas 

You can visit Cabo San Lucas year-round. Just like the entire Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas boasts gorgeous weather. 

December through April is the busiest time in the region when many travelers from the United States and Canada come to Cabo. This time also sees increased domestic tourism from other parts of Mexico, as many areas on the mainland like Mexico City, have colder weather during this time.

June through September is the low season in Cabo, and although the weather is nice, it’s not uncommon to see some rain. August and September see the most precipitation. May, October, and November are the shoulder seasons when you can get great deals on tours and hotels in Cabo. 

Cancun vs Cabo: Climate 

Cancun has a humid, tropical climate like the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, and even on a cloudy day, it can be hot and humid here. Most rainfall occurs between June and September, the low season in Cancun. 

Cabo San Lucas, meanwhile, has a desert climate with more sunny days than Cancun and little rain, most of which falls from late July through September.

Cancun vs Cabo: Prices 

Cabo San Lucas is generally considered more expensive than Cancun and caters to wealthier travelers. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t visit Cabo on a budget. Whereas Cancun is generally considered a popular destination for families, Cabo San Lucas is known for its incredible resorts and lavish parties.

Cabo and Cancun have plenty of budget hotels and local eateries with lower prices outside of tourist zones where you can save a good chunk of money. 

Cancun vs Cabo: Safety 

Cabo San Lucas is considered a safe destination as long as you stay in the tourist zone. If you check the local crime stats, you might be shocked because they are very high. 

The high crime numbers in Cabo San Lucas are affected by the increased crime level in the Cabo municipality, which is where Cabo San Lucas is. Areas frequented by tourists in Cabo San Lucas are generally safe, and you are not likely to get in trouble, as long as you stay away from drugs. 

If you want to learn more about how to stay safe in Cabo, read my complete guide to Cabo safety tips. 

Cancun has made a lot of headlines in recent years because of the increased crime levels. Just like in other parts of Mexico, much of the crime in Cancun has to do with drug trafficking. Still, you are mostly safe if you stay in one of the Cancun hotels in Zona Hotelera. 

If you are staying in downtown Cancun or around the residential area, exercise increased caution, as hotels away from Cancun Hotel Zone typically don’t have guards and extra safety features. 

Pros and Cons of Visiting Cabo San Lucas

Pros of visiting Cabo San Lucas

• Some of the best scenery in the entire Mexico! Cabo San Lucas and surrounding areas like La Paz and Todos Santos are home to incredible postcard views with desert hills dotted by cacti, and aquamarine blue waters that are teeming with wildlife 
• Quick access to popular day trips like La Paz and Todos Santos, which can be reached by public transportation or by car rental 
• Over 300 days of sunshine. If you like the sun, this is a place for you! There are a few gloomy days in Cabo, so if you are anything like me, you will love it!
• Some of the best diving in Mexico – the Sea of Cortez nicknamed the aquarium of the world and has some of the most incredible wildlife, so if you are a diver, put this place on your list
• Plenty of less-developed areas like Cabo Pulmo National Park and less-touristy beaches where you can get away for a day and get a sense of adventure 
• Some of the best resorts in entire Mexico – If you like high-end resorts, Cabo is a must

Cons of visiting Cabo San Lucas

• Cabo is considered one of the most expensive places in Mexico. You can spend a lot of money here on hotels, food, and activities, and it’s the norm. 
• Cabo is a desert – If you are not used to the dry, sunny weather, it could take you a while to get used to Cabo. 
• Not all beaches in Cabo are safe for swimming – unlike Cancun, where you can explore most beaches, some beaches in Cabo have dangerous currents and undertows, so you can’t swim everywhere.
• Limited transportation options – If you want to get outside the tourist areas of Cabo and explore the region, you will need to rent a car. Some of the best beaches near Cabo, as well as hidden gems in the region, are not serviced by public transportation, which is why I recommend renting a car in Cabo San Lucas after you land at the airport. 

Pros and Cons of Visiting Cancun

Pros of visiting Cancun 

• Easy access – Cancun is the tourist hub of Mexico and with tons of daily flights to the United States and other parts of the world. 
• Amazing beaches – Mexico’s Caribbean boasts some of the best beaches in the country with plenty of sunshine where you can swim and not worry about dangerous waves. 
• Tons of activities from snorkeling to scuba diving to visiting cenotes and popular theme parks like Xcaret and Xcacel. 
• Quick access to some of the best places to visit in Yucatan like Mayan ruins, colonial cities, and historic landmarks 
• Good public transportation system – If you don’t have a car rental, you can catch an ADO bus in downtown Cancun and get to most places around the Yucatan Peninsula. 
• Good nightlife and restaurant options 

Cons of visiting Cancun 

• Spring break – Every year, thousands of spring breakers (mostly from the United States) descend on Cancun during March and April. While this is great for tourism, it’s not ideal if you are looking for a nice, quiet getaway where you can relax and have a great time.
• Humidity – Whereas Cabo San Lucas has a dry, sunny desert climate, Cancun can be very hot and humid. Even on a cloudy day, humidity can be high here, and you will need a lot of AC
• Overdevelopment – Depending on your taste, you might find Cancun too developed. Sometimes, it almost feels like a never-ending row of hotels, restaurants, and stores all catering to tourists. 
• Crowds – As one of the most popular places in Mexico, Cancun has a lot of people. After a couple of days, you might feel like you want to spend time in a more quiet place. 
• Lack of authenticity – If you want to experience Mexican culture, you will not find it in Cancun. Rent a car or catch an ADO bus from downtown Cancun to visit places like Valladolid, Merida, or even Bacalar, located along the Lagoon of Seven Colors, to learn the culture. 

Which is cheaper: Cabo or Cancun? 

Of the two destinations, Cabo is considered the more expensive. Before Cabo became popular with travelers, it was a luxury resort popular with celebrities and wealthy travelers who still like to travel here for quick getaways.

While things have changed, and Cabo now attracts a more diverse crowd, Cabo is still a more expensive destination than Cancun. But that doesn’t mean that Cancun is necessarily cheaper, as you can still spend up to a few thousand dollars if you book one of the top resorts in Cancun.

If you are traveling to Cabo, and want to save money, book a hotel away from the beach. There are plenty of budget accommodations in downtown Cabo San Lucas like Hotel María Elena, where you can stay for about $60-80 a night.

Whether you are traveling to Cancun or Cabo, you will spend the most money in all-inclusive resorts along the beach. If you decide to go to Cancun, book a stay away from Zona Hotelera, and eat in local restaurants or cook your meals to save money.