Two cities that usually come to thoughts when contemplating a trip to Mexico are Cabo and Cancun. Whereas each are well-liked beachfront resort areas, many individuals don’t understand how completely different these two cities could be.
Our comparability of Cabo vs. Cancun gives you a greater concept of what every vacation spot presents so you may resolve which is best to your Mexico getaway.
Cabo vs. Cancun Fast Picks
- Most Reasonably priced: Cancun
- Higher All-Inclusive Lodging: Cancun
- Higher Seashores: Cancun
- Finest for Luxurious: Cabo
Cabo vs. Cancun: Location and The right way to Get There
One of many largest variations between Cabo vs. Cancun is the place they’re situated. Whereas each are on peninsulas, Cancun is on the east coast of Mexico and Cabo is on the western facet of the nation.
Cancun is ready on the northeast fringe of the Yucatan Peninsula, alongside the Caribbean coast. Situated on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo’s seashores entrance the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
Each areas are pretty simple to get to, though flights to Cabo are typically dearer than to Cancun. Since Cancun is a vastly well-liked cheap vacationer vacation spot and has its personal worldwide airport, you could find loads of direct flights there from the U.S. Common flight instances are round 4 to five hours.
You too can discover loads of direct flights to the worldwide airport close to Cabo from the U.S. These vary relying in your departure metropolis, with flights from California being the shortest at about 2 and a half hours. If you’re staying in Cabo San Lucas, you’ll have a few half hour drive to city from the airport, which is 8 miles from San Jose del Cabo. Nevertheless, there may be additionally a smaller worldwide airport in Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo vs. Cancun: When to Go to
The perfect time to go to Cabo is throughout peak season: December to February. Peak season presents the perfect climate with loads of enjoyable available in and across the ocean. The draw back to a peak season go to is the bigger crowds.
If you’re searching for a time to go to Cabo with fewer vacationers, then you definitely would possibly wish to contemplate Might and June. The difficulty with this journey time is the truth that it falls in hurricane season. This doesn’t assure an interruption to your journey plans, however it’s one thing to control.
Cabo can also be nice in October and November. Throughout these months, Cabo hosts the most important fishing occasions of the yr. This does imply bigger crowds and may result in some greater costs. But it surely’s nonetheless an ideal choice if you happen to like to fish or wish to expertise a Cabo-specific occasion.
One thing distinctive to Cabo is the possibility to identify whales. That is almost definitely in mid-December or mid-April.
Cancun, then again, is greatest from December to April. You’ll discover nice climate and low cost flight costs, though that is Cancun’s peak season. Watch out for touring to Cancun between mid March and early April. That is spring break season, and Cancun performs host to many, many vacationers in these months.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Climate
Each Cabo and Cancun are cities in Mexico, however that doesn’t imply they expertise the identical climate patterns. Nevertheless, each have hotter temperatures year-round and are well-liked winter getaway locations.
As famous earlier than, Cabo is located on the southern finish of the Baja California peninsula, which provides it drier climate with extra sunny days than Cancun. The Cabo space solely averages about 10 inches of rain per yr, so that you typically gained’t expertise canceled or delayed plans due to rain. It’s heat year-round.
Cancun’s local weather is extra tropical, with greater humidity and common rainfall. The wet season runs between Might and October. Temperatures are a bit hotter yr spherical than in Cabo, and regardless of the rain Cancun does have practically 250 days of solar annually.
Each Cabo and Cancun are liable to hurricanes, nevertheless, with Cabo’s hurricane season lasting from mid-Might by November, and Cancun’s from June to November. For those who’re touring throughout this time, you should definitely get journey insurance coverage and take note of forecasts.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Seashores
Each Cabo and Cancun are havens for seaside lovers, however there are some notable variations to think about.
Cancun seashores are what you think about whenever you consider a Caribbean seaside trip–lengthy stretches of white sand with vivid turquoise water. The ocean off of Cancun is the assembly level between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, so the water right here is heat. It’s additionally fairly clear. You’ll have loads of choices to take pleasure in swimming and various water sports activities, together with snorkeling and scuba diving.
Cabo seashores, then again, have rock formations, so it’s a special expertise for enjoyable and strolling alongside the seaside. The water in Cabo, although a wonderful blue, additionally has a robust undertow that makes swimming harmful. Don’t fear although, there are seashores in Cabo which might be good for swimming, like Medano Seaside. Nevertheless, listen when reserving your lodging–simply because a resort is beachfront doesn’t imply you may go within the water there.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Issues to Do
Cabo and Cancun are each full of fantastic actions and adventures. However the variations of their geography and site make what you are able to do in every place somewhat completely different.
Cabo has the whole lot from lengthy stretches of sand to excessive mountains and dry deserts. This implies you may go from lounging on the seaside to mountain climbing up mountains, or strolling alongside a desert path. The environment in Cabo tends to really feel laidback and relaxed.
Regardless of the water being too tough for swimming off some seashores, Cabo does supply water sports activities, together with snorkeling, scuba diving, and browsing. And, relying on the time of yr that you simply go to, you may catch a glimpse of migrating blue whales.
Cancun is taken into account the extra thrilling space, with loads of choices for enjoyable nightlife in addition to all kinds of watersports, together with scuba diving and snorkeling (particularly off the close by islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres).
However there are some fascinating cultural and historic spots which might be greater than price a visit. Near Cancun is the traditional capital metropolis of the Mayan empire, Chichen Itza. You possibly can take a day journey to see the ruins nonetheless standing. You too can plan a visit to Tulum, which is ideal for a day journey or in a single day keep.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Resorts & Accommodations
In Cancun’s well-known “Resort Zone,” which is a strip alongside the seaside, there are greater than 100 resorts and resorts to select from. No matter what sort of lodging you’re searching for, you’re more likely to discover them, with the whole lot from cheap resorts to swanky all-inclusive resorts. This generally is a busy and crowded stretch, nevertheless.
Cabo additionally has a variety of resorts and resorts to select from, a few of that are all-inclusive, however not as many choices as Cancun. Nevertheless, Cabo lodging are typically extra upscale than these in Cancun.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Meals
Each Cabo and Cancun supply all kinds of scrumptious meals, together with genuine Mexican and contemporary seafood. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll have to hunt a bit to search out good high quality choices.
With regards to Cabo, the meals in and across the metropolis heart tends to be geared toward vacationers and could also be much less genuine; if you happen to’re searching for the “actual factor,” you would possibly wish to contemplate a rental automotive.
Simply exterior of city you could find extra native fare and a few actually fascinating eating choices together with natural farms that provide farm to desk sort meals, the right strategy to get nice meals with a pure expertise.
In Cancun, loads of the meals choices are supplied by the resorts, particularly at all-inclusive resorts which have a tendency to supply a wide range of worldwide delicacies. The excellent news is you may nonetheless expertise an genuine regional eating expertise fairly simply, as there are native eating places that provide nice meals for lunch and dinner.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Value
The distinction in value between Cabo and Cancun actually comes all the way down to whenever you go to and the way you wish to journey.
For those who’re touring throughout peak seasons, lodging and actions could be dearer. Nevertheless, you may simply discover finances pleasant choices in each areas. Usually, we discover that Cancun is extra inexpensive than Cabo.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Security
With regards to security, Cabo and Cancun are each thought-about secure areas, though Cabo might have a little bit of a safer status. In both place, there are some issues to pay attention to.
Each Cabo and Cancun have areas which might be thought-about “riskier” or much less secure. These are areas typically off the overwhelmed path and are much less visited by vacationers. For those who do end up in these areas, the most important risk is petty theft. The perfect plan of action is to remain in well-lit and well-populated areas.
Additionally comply with widespread sense precautions like not strolling alone, not carrying massive quantities of money or carrying flashy jewellery, and never accepting drinks from strangers.
Cabo vs. Cancun: Conclusion
The ultimate verdict: each Cabo and Cancun are nice journey locations! Which one is greatest for you will depend on the way you wish to spend your trip time.
In order for you a extra conventional seaside expertise or take pleasure in a number of nightlife, then you definitely’ll most likely wish to go to Cancun. For those who’re searching for a extra relaxed vibe or wish to see whales, then it’s most likely Cabo for the win.
Now that you simply’ve learn our comparability of Cabo vs. Cancun, which one do you select? Tell us within the feedback! And if you happen to’d like assist planning your journey, be at liberty to reach out to one of our trusted travel advisors.
