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Here’s the truth: American travelers can’t seem to get enough of Mexico. According to travel statistics, Mexico is not just the leading travel destination for American travelers. It’s the leading travel destination by far. Come to think of it, before the pandemic, 39.3 million Americans found their way to Mexico. Canada, the second-most visited country by Americans, recorded a distant 15 million, according to data from Statista.
Whether it's the food, the sun, or the array of activities on show, Mexico just seems to check all travel boxes. Of course, the country is also cheap—and just a dive away; while Mexicans are some of the friendliest people on earth. For those who are considering vacationing in Mexico, these two travel destinations are consistently ranked among the country’s best: Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. In this article, we reveal what travelers need to know about these smoking-hot favorites.
If You’re Looking For Entertainment, This Is How Cabo And Cancun Compare
This is important because many of us travel to have some uninhibited fun, enjoy some good music, dance the night away, party hard, and generally paint a town red.
If that’s what one is looking for, it might be worth knowing that both Cancun and Cabo have a very vibrant nightlife. But they are of a slightly different kind.
While Cancun has many more bars and nightclubs than its western counterpart, which are also bigger and noisier, in Cabo, the club vibe is more intimate and personal.
And while the nightclubs in Cancun are spread out over an area that stretches over 19 miles in span, the nightclubs in Cabo are closely concentrated. Most of them are in the downtown tourist district, especially the two-block stretch around Plaza Bonita.
Therefore, for those keen on club hopping, Cabo beats Cancun hands-down. In fact, meaningful club-hopping in Cancun may have to involve the use of a taxi or a bus because of the stretched-out nightlife area.
In Cabo, on the other hand, one can easily walk to its several nightclubs. But there’s another fact. While the nightlife in Cabo can get a little subdued, especially during weekdays, Cancun never seems to miss a beat.
Of course, we give the general outlook, and travelers may find some exceptions.
Here’s the take-home: Cancun is the better option for fans of big clubs who want to party hard—regardless of the day of the week.
However, for those who want a more intimate experience, Cabo is the place to be.
Still, both these places are fine entertainment spots with one mutual guarantee: A complete lack of boredom.
Looking For A Fine Beach Destination? Here's Cabo Versus Cancun
When we come to beaches, it looks like a no-contest. Cancun takes the palm. The water on Cancun’s beaches is the turquoise sort, the tint which is the dream of all beachgoers.
Of course, Cabo’s waters may spot a similar shade, even if different in tone, especially because of their cobalt gleam. But the clear difference comes in the beach activities.
While visitors will thoroughly enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, or snorkeling in Cancun, that’s just not the case in Cabo.
Actually, swimming is not permitted on many beaches in Cabo. The region sees strong, dangerous currents that make swimming in some places a dance with death.
And then, the beaches in Cancun are also wider with waters that are calm and tranquil—making Cancun way better than Cabo for snorkeling. Of course, it doesn’t mean beaches in Cabo have no aesthetic value.
Quite the contrary, the beach environment in Cabo is more laid-back and relaxed, perhaps more spectacular—while at the same time less touristy than the ones in Cancun.
Cabo Vs Cancun: Other Things To Consider
For starters, Cancun is larger than Cabo. It looks and feels like a big American city like Miami, and hence, for those who want a charming, small-town vibe, the choice should be obvious.
For the weather (or is it climate?), Cancun sees more rain than Cabo. The rain falls in heavier torrents usually from September to November.
- What Is The Most Humid Month In Cancun? In Cancun, the most humid month is June, with the highest temperatures in the summer from June to August.
Cabo on the other hand is most of the time, drier and hotter. But there’s a saving grace: Cabo is less humid than Cancun. So, while temperatures can get balmy, it’ll be easier to endure.
When it comes to the natural landscape, Cabo has a terrain that’s more hilly and mountainous—at most places dotted with thorny cacti—than Cancun. The truth is Cancun is practically flat.
Lastly, we all know that Mexico is a cheap destination. But as with most statements, there’s some inconvenient nuance.
Here’s the truth: While Mexico as a whole is cheap, that adjective doesn’t quite apply to Cabo San Lucas. Then again, Cancun has many budget-friendly options.
That’s it. Cancun and Cabo are Mexican jewels that should be on the bucket list of every traveler. But, as we’ve seen, they have different appeals.