Cancún or Cabo: Which Mexico Destination Is Better for You? (2024)

Cancún and Los Cabos are two of the most sought-after beach destinations in Mexico. Los Cabos sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortés, and has a drier climate than tropical Cancún, set on the Caribbean coast. Picking one to visit largely boils down to your personal preference: Do you like the idea of desert surroundings (Los Cabos) or tropics (Cancún)?

Both are very accessible from the U.S., have a wide range of hotel and resort styles, offer plenty of activities, and feature some of the best restaurants in the country. Each destination is unique, so we broke them down by several categories — beaches, activities, food, nightlife, and more — to help you discover which is a better fit for your next Mexican retreat.

How to Travel to Cancún and Los Cabos

Travelers from the U.S. East Coast and Midwest would have a shorter flight to Cancún, while those from the western U.S. would have a shorter flight to Los Cabos. That's the easiest way to look at it, though not without exceptions. Cancún and Los Cabos' International airports are two of the most connected in Mexico, no matter where you're coming from.

You can fly directly to Cancún from more than 40 airports in the U.S., with the majority being on the East Coast. New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago are just some cities that offer direct flights. Los Cabos receives direct flights from more than 20 U.S. cities, with some of the most frequent coming from cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Dallas.

Beaches in Cancún and Los Cabos

Many of the best beaches in Mexico are in these two destinations. Cancún has soft white sand that extends into the gently lapping, crystalline sea. The Cancún Hotel Zone alone is a 14-mile sugary stretch, which does not even account for the city's smaller beach destinations. The beaches in this part of Mexico have warm water for a longer portion of the year and are generally the most welcoming for swimmers of all levels.

The best beaches in Cancún are likely found right in front of your resort, especially if you're staying in the Hotel Zone. Another Cancún beach area to consider is Costa Mujeres, a 30- to 45-minute drive north from the airport. The resorts on this beach are much quieter than in the Hotel Zone.

Los Cabos beaches are more golden in hue and backed by the cobalt-colored Pacific. If beach time is important to you, note that many of the options in Los Cabos are not suitable for swimming because of strong currents. While some beaches are protected by sheltered bays, Los Cabos has many exposed stretches of coastline that make swimming in the ocean unsafe. This is why the infinity pool game in Los Cabos is so strong — you can still have that unparalleled ocean view and vibe, but from the security of a pool.

If you want a swimmable beach in Los Cabos, consider Playa el Médano, Playa del Amor, Playa Palmilla, or Playa Chileno. Of course, if you're exploring the eastern coast of the Baja Peninsula, which faces the calmer Sea of Cortés, you'll find many more options for beach swimming.

Activities in Cancún and Los Cabos

You can expect an array of things to do in Cancún and Los Cabos, including spa treatments, golfing, water sports, and thrilling excursions. The differences are subtle but could make or break a vacation, depending on your interests.

Cancún is very much a tropical destination, surrounded by thick jungle that spills out to the Caribbean Sea. But it's also one of the most built-up places in Mexico — one that was created specifically for tourism. As a result, you'll find a juxtaposition of ancient and cosmopolitan. The Hotel Zone is replete with high-end shopping malls filled with recognizable designer labels, whereas the thick jungle reveals the secrets of the Yucatán's ancient past — Mayan ruins. From Chichén Itzá to Tulum to Cobá, it's possible to travel back in time to see how the peninsula's Indigenous people lived.

The city is also close to some of Mexico's best cenotes, the underground rivers and caves that played a crucial role in Mayan mythology and religion. Today, they are mysterious, otherworldly places to dive or swim, either on your own or via a tour. Cancún's location on the Yucatán Peninsula opens it up to water sports and island hopping — Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Isla Contoy are right off the coast. ATV tours, zip lining, and dirt biking are popular things to do in the jungle.

Los Cabos' landscape is very different, which changes the range of activities. It has the benefit of being at the southernmost base of the Sierra de la Laguna range, where the mountains meet the desert. Nearby is Cabo Pulmo National Park on the Sea of Cortés, which offers ATV trails, horseback riding, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Hosting one of the biggest marlin fishing tournaments in the world, Los Cabos is a major deep-sea fishing destination. Whale watching is also a huge draw, as blue whales migrate to the Sea of Cortés every winter to give birth. Many of the boat cruises and adventure tours launch from Cabo San Lucas, which has one of the largest, most exclusive marinas in Mexico. On the streets of San José del Cabo, you'll enjoy a thriving arts scene, with an entire district that hosts weekly walks and gallery events. And, of course, you'll find a slew of surf beaches up and down the Baja Peninsula.

Both Cancún and Los Cabos are within driving distance of many small towns in Mexico worthy of day trips or quick overnights. Near Cancún, explore the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Morelos or the haute, bohemian design of Tulum. Escape even farther south to Bacalar to visit one of the largest freshwater lakes in Mexico. While in Los Cabos, travel up the Pacific coast to the eclectic and mystical Todos Santos, or venture farther north to La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur.

Food in Cancún and Los Cabos

Regional specialties make Mexican dining a constant adventure. Seafood is important on the coast, with shellfish, marlin, tuna, and octopus taking center stage. And, of course, you'll find tasty tacos everywhere you go.

Cancún cuisine focuses on traditional Mayan ingredients and recipes, like slow-roasted pork, or fish steamed in banana leaves. In Los Cabos, you'll find special seafood dishes like smoked marlin, Mexican chocolate clam, and comida de pobres, a fish soup made with beans and rice.

Dining experiences can also differ. While both destinations are resort-centric, Los Cabos offers many more opportunities to venture off resort property to a fine-dining restaurant. Cabo San Lucas has some of the most dramatic oceanfront dining options, like Sunset Monalisa, which serves a decadent five-course tasting menu. There's also El Farallon at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, a cliffside restaurant that serves seafood alongside some of France's finest Champagnes.

San José del Cabo is one of the best places in Mexico for farm-to-table experiences. Just outside the city are three beautifully designed restaurants that source their ingredients on-site: Acre, Flora Farms, and Tamarindos.

Nightlife in Cancún and Los Cabos

When you picture nightlife in Cancún or Los Cabos, visions of Señor Frog's and cheap tequila may swirl through your head. You wouldn't be wrong — both have raucous reputations thanks to spring breakers, but those preconceived notions don't define the destinations.

Cancún tends to be more party-heavy year-round, with bass-thumping beach clubs and discos like Coco Bongo. Cabo San Lucas sports a similar energy, particularly in the spring, but San José del Cabo is heralded more for its smaller bars, cafes, and restaurants that feature toned-down live music.

Is Cancún or Los Cabos More Affordable?

Generally, Cancún is known to be a more affordable option because it has a larger variety of accommodations. You're more likely to find a good deal, especially if you stay in the downtown area instead of the pricier Hotel Zone. Los Cabos is full of more luxurious, all-inclusive resorts that carry higher price tags.

Safety in Cancún and Los Cabos

The U.S. State Department urges Americans to exercise increased caution while traveling to both Quintana Roo, the state where Cancún is located, and Baja California Sur, where Los Cabos is. That said, by and large, travel is safe in both places. Travelers who abide by local laws and don't go searching for trouble are likely to have a positive vacation experience, as is true with most destinations around the world.

Hotels in Cancún and Los Cabos

Cancún specializes in all-inclusive resorts at practically every price point. Many are outfitted with bars and restaurants and offer lots of entertainment options; some properties have prime beachfront real estate on the country's most beautiful swimming beaches. Others are on the smaller, more boutique side, like Nizuc Resort & Spa and Live Aqua, the latter being one of the best all-inclusive, adults-only resorts in Mexico. If you want variety in a single location, Cancún will not disappoint.

Los Cabos has several large all-inclusive resorts as well, though it tends to specialize in luxury offerings — think the One&Only Palmilla and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Smaller, boutique, and design-forward hotels include Acre and El Ganzo.