Both destinations feature scads of luxury resorts that pamper you and delicious restaurants serving up local delicacies. If you’re looking for a place that’s away from it all, try the barefoot luxury Sanara Tulum for a jungle setting and rooms with concrete floors and outdoor bathrooms.
Cancun’s humid, tropical climate makes it a little hotter and muggier than Cabo. But it’s still a safe travel destination. Just follow basic safety protocols and you won’t have a problem.
Safety
As long as you follow a few effective safety tips, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun are both safe destinations to visit. Petty crime is common in most tourist destinations, but it is usually limited to pickpocketing and cell phone theft (which is also a problem in popular cities like London and Paris). However, both Cabo and Cancun are considered safer than large Mexican cities such as Mexico City, where there is a greater risk of violent crimes against tourists.
The beaches in both places are beautiful, and the water is clear and clean enough to swim in. You can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the peninsula. Both Cancun and Cabo offer a range of day trips, including visits to Mayan ruins and cenotes. Cancun offers a more tropical, humid experience with lots of greenery. Cabo, on the other hand, has a dry desert climate similar to Southern California. Winter in Cabo is pleasantly warm and sunny, while summer has hot, sun-drenched weather.
Both Cancun and Cabo have many high-end resorts and hotels that are designed for the comfort of their guests. Some of these resorts are located in the heart of the city, while others are tucked away on private beaches, providing the ultimate getaway from everyday life. In addition, both destinations have a variety of restaurants and bars. While some of these establishments are very expensive, there are a few cheap options as well.
Cabo has some of the safest beaches in all of Mexico. As a result, millions of visitors travel to this top vacation spot each year without any major issues.
Besides the beaches, other tourist attractions in Cabo include the Los Cabos Archipelago, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is home to rare species of marine plants and animals.
Both Cancun and Cabo have a variety of great restaurants, but there are some that are better than others. Most of the restaurants in the city are rated high by their customers and have good reviews. You can also find a lot of restaurants that serve international cuisines in the city. In addition, most of the restaurants in the city serve bottled water that is tested and sterilized. This ensures the food is healthy and safe to eat.
Getting There
As long as you follow some basic rules and stay away from deserted areas, Cancun is very safe for tourists. The majority of the incidents that take place here are petty thefts, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and make sure your valuables are secure.
As far as the beaches go, both Cancun and Cabo have beautiful white sand coastlines and crystal blue water. However, if you’re looking for a more unique landscape, we recommend going to Cabo. Its distinctive topography features dramatic desert and jungle scenery, as well as incredible rock formations that look like something out of a sci-fi movie.
If you’re interested in hiking, mountain climbing, or scuba diving, Cabo is the place for you. You can also go on a number of exciting day trips from here, including swimming with whale sharks in La Paz (a 2-hour drive from Cabo).
Both Cancun and Los Cabos have tons of high-end luxury hotels and resorts that offer the ultimate Mexico vacation experience. However, when it comes to family-friendly hotels and resorts, Los Cabos has the edge over Cancun.
This is because Los Cabos has more kid-friendly activities and amenities, as well as a wider variety of restaurants that cater to families. Some of the best family-friendly hotels in Los Cabos include the barefoot luxury Sanara Tulum, which offers a yoga studio on its private beach and rooms with concrete floors and outdoor bathrooms. Or, you can try the NIZUC Resort and Spa, which pampers you with a dreamy white sand beach, a top-rated spa, and suites with private pools and outdoor showers.
Both Cancun and Los Cabos offer plenty of shopping options, but Cancun has a slightly bigger selection. So, if you’re a shopping lover and want to get your fill of Mexican goodies, Cancun is the better option for you.
Better for Families
Both Cancun and Cabo have plenty of activities that appeal to families. But the best way to choose between them is by determining what type of vacation you’re looking for. The answer lies in whether you want sandy beaches and a lively nightlife or you prefer a calmer environment with stunning natural beauty.
Cancun sits on the Yucatan peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, while Cabo is at the tip of the Baja peninsula and feels more like an extension of California than a tropical paradise. This difference is reflected in the food, culture, and overall vibe.
If you’re looking for a beach that has a vibrant turquoise color with tamer waves, Cancun is the place to go. However, if you’re looking for a serene experience, Cabo’s rocky beaches are just as beautiful and much quieter.
Cabo also offers a wide variety of water sports and has a few world-class golf courses. But it’s also a great spot for whale watching and has the best snorkeling in the area.
While Cancun has a lot to offer, it can be quite crowded during the peak season from December through April. It’s a good idea to visit the city during other times of the year, especially between May and June when it’s less crowded but still has perfect weather.
The other reason you might want to consider visiting Cancun during the winter is its affordability. It’s usually cheaper to book flights during this time because it’s not a popular travel destination for spring breakers.
Cancun is a good choice for families because it’s got a wide range of restaurants that cater to kids and adults. It also has a few amusement parks that will entertain the whole family. But be sure to keep your kids close at all times and make sure to follow basic safety rules while out on the streets. You should also consider getting travel insurance to protect your family while you’re away from home. This is the easiest way to ensure your peace of mind when you’re traveling abroad with young children.
Cheaper
While Cabo does have some big hotel chains and chain restaurants, it is also home to a fair share of independent establishments. This gives the city a more authentic feel and allows visitors to get away from the tourist crowds that sometimes plague Cancun.
The average price to stay in a luxury all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas costs about $500/night, but this can be significantly cheaper when booking through a service like Next Vacay. Flight prices to Cabo are a bit more expensive than Cancun, with the average round trip costing about $350. However, you can often find cheap flights by keeping an eye on prices and booking your airfare in advance.
Cancun is much more of a party-centric destination than Cabo, with a wide range of clubs and bars to choose from. It’s easy to find accommodation options at almost any price point, with hotels and all-inclusive resorts spread across the 14 miles of beachfront that make up Cancun’s Hotel Zone. There are a few boutique hotels and hostels, but most of the resorts in Cancun are part of larger chains and have the same type of amenities as bigger hotels.
Both Cancun and Cabo are considered safe vacation destinations, though each has its safer and less-safe areas. It is recommended that travelers follow basic safety protocols, especially when exploring outside of the “safer” zones.
When to Visit
The best time of year to visit Cabo is during the winter months of December through March. This is when the weather is pleasantly warm, but not hot and humid, similar to a Southern California beach vacation. Visiting during this time frame is ideal for whale watching, as well. However, the area is busier during this time period due to the big fishing events that take place. It’s also a popular time for people to visit for Spring Break. The shoulder seasons of May, June, and October offer even warmer weather with fewer tourists and better deals on lodging. The only drawback is that it can be a little too warm for some visitors.