Cancun vs. Cabo (Which is a Better Mexico Holiday Destination?)

Places like Cancun and Cabo may be the first things that’ll come into mind when you’re thinking about vacation getaways in Mexico. Both are among the country’s finest all-inclusive vacation destinations. You will certainly appreciate the rich and unique vibes they offer.  

For sure, you’re curious about what makes those two different from each other. To know which place would suit your preference and what to add to your Mexico packing list, this Cabo vs. Cancun comparison will give distinctions and similarities between these amazing cities. Continue reading to learn more!

Travel: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

Cabo (also known as Lands End) is located on the western coast of Mexico, at the edge of the southernmost Baja Peninsula, making it easier to reach. The name “Two Capes” refers to the municipalities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, which are roughly 35 minutes away by car and separated by various beaches. 

Although cabs and a local transportation system are available, many people explore the region by driving their cars. 

Don’t be worried if the car rental business mentions spare tires and equipment – while the roads in some sections of Baja are poor, they are secure for tourists, with lots of police presence and multiple security checkpoints.

Cancun

Cancun is located on Mexico’s east coast on the Yucatan Peninsula. The glamorous hotel zone of Cancun is a 13-mile-long coastal strip packed with expensive hotels, boutiques, and restaurants. Through Cancun International Airport (CUN), you can get to the Riviera Maya, just a short drive away.

The Riviera Maya is a hundred-mile beachfront that hugs the blue Caribbean Sea and stretches to Tulum, located south of Cancun. Playa del Carmen is a cosmopolitan seaside town located halfway in the middle of Cancun and Tulum. The Riviera Maya and the Cancun are convenient destinations for Midwest and East Coast visitors.

Scenery and Landscape: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

Cabo is the place where the desert meets the sea. Endless desert dunes are set against a backdrop of towering mountain ranges with pure azure waters. The attention is drawn to the unusual rock formations. The Arch and Land’s End, for example. Sea lions rest under the impressive natural rock arch known as “El Arco.” 

Taking a glass-bottom boat trip or a short water taxi ride from the yacht-filled Cabo San Lucas Marina is a popular method to see it up close.

Cancun

On the other hand, Cancun and the Riviera Maya are lush, tropical, and jungly. Imagine a tropical vacation spot — that’s how the Riviera Maya appears. What’s one of the topography’s coolest features? Sinkholes, also known as cenotes, and underground river networks crisscross the landscape, inviting you to swim and snorkel in them. Some cenotes even have spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.

Things to Do: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

Cabo offers spectacular scuba diving, including Sand Falls, which is essentially an underwater sand waterfall that drops a thousand feet or more. Cabo is particularly unique because you can see sea lions and other marine creatures that you wouldn’t normally see in the Caribbean. Cabo San Lucas Bay sunset cruises are also extremely beautiful. 

Here’s a video of our private yacht party!

I highly recommend these sunset cruises!

• Sunset Pirate Ship Cruise – Jump back in time to when pirates ruled the high seas. Watch the sun set over picturesque rock formations. Savor a lavish BBQ dinner with unlimited drinks.
• 2 Hour Sunset Cruise with Food and Wine – Sail along the stunning coastline of Cabo San Lucas on a luxury catamaran and soak up unforgettable sunset views. As you cruise, dine on delicious appetizers including cheese platters and seasonal fruit accompanied by premium wines.
• Sunset Party Cruise with Open Bar – Sail along the stunning Cabo San Lucas coastline and admire epic sea views as the sunset transforms the sky. Listen to upbeat music from the onboard DJ, benefit from an open bar, and make unforgettable memories with your friends on this fun party cruise.

A free Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo’s famous art neighborhood is a lovely way to spend an evening culturally. Cabo is also a golfers’ paradise on land. If you’re looking for some adrenaline-pumping fishing, Cabo offers famed marlin sportfishing. 

Cancun

Shopaholics will enjoy using their credit cards at the La Isla and Luxury Avenue retail complexes in Cancun. At the same time, the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) is a must-see for snorkelers and scuba divers. Five hundred life-size underwater sculptures of VW Beetles and other works of art are also on display. 

Ziplining and sunset cruises round out the non-beach activities available in Cancun. Finally, Cancun shines in attractions such as the world-famous historical ruins. 

You can have a wonderful interaction with monuments like Chichen Itza (the former capital city of the Mayan civilization and now a “Wonder of the World”) and other ruins like Tulum, which are not too far away.

What to Eat: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

Cabo San Lucas has a plethora of tourist eateries. You can also visit adjacent towns to sample authentic Mexican cuisine if you have a car. San José del Cabo is an ideal location for sampling local cuisine. Flora’s Field Kitchen and Los Tamarindos are two adjacent urban farms where you may connect with nature.

Listed below are the most popular Los Cabos dishes:

• Smoked marlin
• Mexican chocolate clam 
• Pitahaya
• Tacos with shrimp and fish

Hacienda Vacation Club’s Pitahayas Restaurant, Cabo Surf Hotel’s Seven Seas Seafood Grille, and Sunset Mona Lisa are consistently listed as one of the world’s most popular romantic restaurants for proposals and wedding ceremonies.

Cancun

As for Cancun, most restaurants in the area open for lunch at about 2:00 p.m. and will be open until midnight. Those who choose to venture out will find a variety of cuisines in and around the Hotel Zone, but there are only a few coastal restaurants; instead, those who prefer views can dine at the riverfront restaurants facing Nichupte Lagoon’s stunning sunsets. 

There are a variety of Mexican restaurants and fresh seafood and international cuisine kinds in downtown Cancun (a short cab ride away).

Nightlife: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo Nightlife

Those seeking a break from the busy cities should visit San Jose del Cabo, which has the look and feel of a genuine Mexican town, complete with cobblestone streets and stunning colonial buildings in the main square. 

Cozy wineries, rooftop bars, and Spanish guitarists performing are tucked away on little alleyways. El Farallón at The Resort at Pedregal, a champagne lounge perched on a cliff, is another lovely setting.

Cancun Nightlife

Most people associate Cancun with yard beers, foam parties, and wet shirt contests, which is understandable given the city’s long history as a spring break destination. If you don’t like crowds of partygoers, this is a spot to avoid between March and April. 

After April, the partying slows down, but Cancun will always be synonymous with nightlife, and the hot locations draw steady audiences all year, ranging in age from 18 to the mid-50s and up.

Nightclubs frequently sell open-bar bracelets, which allow customers to enter the club for one payment and drink all night, with bottle service available for an additional cost. Bar hopping tours, which take travelers to multiple nightclubs in one night, are also available.

Safety: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

As for the state of Baja California Sur, the US State Department advises you to “exercise heightened vigilance due to criminality” (which includes Los Cabos and day trip sites in the Baja Peninsula). Make sure to stick to the tourist places till the wee hours of the morning.

Typically, we are more concerned with road accidents. The Corridor between Cabo and San Jose del Cabo is safe to drive at night, but you should avoid the roadways elsewhere in Baja because of the cow threat. 

Cancun

The United States State Department’s Mexico State Advisory carries the same caution for Quintana Roo (which encompasses Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya) for Cabo and Baja, namely, be more cautious due to criminal activity.

Weather: Cabo vs. Cancun

Cabo

Cabo has desert-like weather for most of the year. The weather is sunny and dry from December to May, with hardly any rain. Evenings are cold, and temperatures dip at night, especially during December and February. If you plan on dining outside in the evenings, bring sweatpants and jackets if it gets cold.

In the winter, the mornings are crisp and chilly until about 9:00 a.m., which is great for early jogging. If you’re visiting Cabo in the winter, don’t expect scorching temperatures. It’s ideal for golfing, hiking, and just lounging around in the heat. When it’s sunset, it is noticeably colder than Cancun during the winter.

Cancun

Cancun has a tropical feel to it that Cabo does not. Consider the weather in the Caribbean is hotter than Cabo during cold weather. The evenings are warmer and calmer. In the evening, you don’t need to wear additional clothing.

The greatest time to visit Cancun is between December and April. And since Cancun is more tropical than Cabo, you should expect more rain and grey sky. But the weather in Cancun during the winter season is typically fairly pleasant.

Conclusion

Overall, Cancun and Cabo are two of Mexico’s most attractive destinations. They are both great cities to visit for a vacation, yet they are extremely different. We’re hoping that this Cabo vs. Cancun comparison can help you decide which Mexican holiday destination you should take. Don’t forget to use this article as a guide before booking a flight. Good luck! 

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