Deciding between Cabo San Lucas or Cancun in your subsequent Mexican getaway might be difficult, as each are lovely seaside locations with rather a lot to supply vacationers.Â
Beneath we’ll evaluate Cabo versus Cancun, together with which vacation spot is best for households, for partying and for accommodations.
Cabo vs. Cancun fundamentals
Earlier than making a variety, it is useful to know some background details about every vacation spot.
Cabo San Lucas — usually referred to as Cabo — is situated on the western coast of Mexico, on the very tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Cabo‘s foremost airport is the San Jose del Cabo Worldwide Airport, which is a few 35-minute drive from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Cabo has a tropical desert local weather and, on common, will get lower than 10 inches of rain per yr (with its rainiest months usually in August and September).
Cancun is situated on the east coast of Mexico, going through the Caribbean Sea. The principle airport, Cancun Worldwide Airport, is a few 30-minute drive from Cancun’s lodge zone.
Cancun has a tropical local weather and, on common, will get greater than 52 inches of rain a yr (with its rainiest months usually in September and October).
Now that you understand the fundamentals, under is a deeper dive into what units the locations aside.
Cabo vs. Cancun for households
Winner: Cabo
When deciding between Cabo or Cancun for a household journey, it is best to first have a look at flight size from house. As an example, for those who’re flying from Los Angeles, a direct flight to Cabo is 2.5 hours in comparison with about 4.5 hours to Cancun. Likewise, for those who’re flying from New York Metropolis, a direct flight to Cabo is about 6.5 hours in comparison with 4.5 hours to Cancun. Particularly for those who’re flying with youthful youngsters, it could make sense to select Cabo or Cancun based mostly on which vacation spot has a faster flight.
Each locations have a number of family-friendly resorts — in Cancun, family-friendly resorts embrace:
-
Nickelodeon Resorts & Resorts Riviera Maya (which is about 40 minutes south of Cancun, in Playa del Carmen).
In Cabo, family-friendly resorts embrace:
-
Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa.
-
Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas Resort.Â
For Cabo, lots of the family-friendly resorts (such because the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos) are situated in or close to San Jose del Cabo somewhat than downtown Cabo — this can be a vital profit for households since San Jose del Cabo has a popularity for being extra relaxed and fewer party-centric than downtown Cabo. Additionally, San Jose del Cabo is barely a 20-minute automotive trip from the airport, so there might be much less time in a automotive with the children after your flight.Â
Whereas we’ll go into which vacation spot is best for partying under, Cancun has a popularity for being get together heavy year-round (notably throughout spring break), which is not excellent for household journeys. Cancun’s get together popularity, in addition to the laid-back setting of San Jose del Cabo, suggestions the dimensions in Cabo’s favor for household journeys.Â
Cabo vs. Cancun for partying
Winner: Cancun
Adults trying to get together can have no downside having enjoyable in both Cabo or Cancun, as each locations have a number of adult-only accommodations. As an example, Breathless Resorts & Spas, recognized for its all-inclusive, adults-only, and typically club-like ambiance, has areas in Cabo and Cancun which can be good for adults trying to spend their journey imbibing.Â
Nevertheless, In case you’re trying past your resort, Cancun has extra nightlife choices — downtown Cabo is comparatively small. Whereas there are just a few bars and golf equipment in Cabo the place you’ll be able to dance into the late hours of the evening, Cancun has a “get together zone” (referred to as Punta Cancun) recognized for its membership, bar, and music scene. And for those who’re in search of enjoyable on spring break, U.S. Information & World Report ranks Cancun as the highest spring break vacation spot on the earth, with Cabo rating fourth.
Cancun vs. Cabo accommodations
Winner: Cabo for luxurious, Cancun for selection
In case you’re trying to keep at a luxurious lodge, Cabo has some unimaginable choices, together with:
-
One&Solely Palmilla (four-night keep can value as a lot as $8,800).
-
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (a four-night keep can value as a lot as $8,220).
-
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort (a four-night keep can value as a lot as $9,835).
Given the luxurious lodge choices and hefty value tags, it isn’t shocking that Cabo is well-liked with celebrities, together with Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, and George Clooney.Â
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you wish to e-book a luxurious keep in Cabo however do not wish to spend some huge cash, you should use your Hilton free evening certificates on the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.Â
Whereas Cabo beats Cancun in luxurious lodge choices, Cancun has considerably extra accommodations than Cabo and a greater variety of areas to remain — corresponding to close by Playa del Carmen or Tulum.Â
Cabo or Cancun recapped
You may’t go fallacious selecting between Cabo and Cancun in your Mexican getaway. Cabo is a greater choice for luxurious journey and households, whereas Cancun beats out Cabo for nightlife and partying. Nevertheless, particularly for those who’re touring as a household, it is best to analysis flight time and continuous service. In case you’re in search of the shortest flight, households on the West Coast might go for Cabo and households on the East Coast might go for Cancun.Â
Easy methods to maximize your rewards
You need a journey bank card that prioritizes what’s necessary to you. Listed below are our picks for the greatest journey bank cards of 2022, together with these greatest for: