We were recently asked by one of our IG followers whether it was better to visit Cancun or Los Cabos. If you haven’t visited either place or if you have only been to one place, then you might also be asking the same question. For nearly 30 years, Cancun was our go-to place, especially in the winter months. Living in Oklahoma, we could leave at 7 am and be on the beach with a margarita in hand by 1 pm. For long weekends we always opted for flying to Cancun as opposed to an island in the Caribbean, which requires a full day of flying to get there. We also had it in our minds that flying to Los Cabos was much longer than Cancun, but we learned that it was only a 15-minute difference in flight times. Now that we have visited both places, we want to share a few thoughts on getting there and getting around, and what we consider to be two major differences between Cancun and Los Cabos — the beaches and activities.
Getting There and Around
Cancun
When you arrive at Cancun International Airport (CUN) you are south of the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera. This 14-mile section of Cancun is where most tourists spend their time. From the airport, it takes 30 minutes to arrive at your hotel.
The question of whether you need to rent a car depends on how much of the Yucatan Peninsula you want to explore on your own; otherwise, you can generally get by using local transportation (taxis or rideshare) or if you have arranged for an organized tour, the company will collect you at your hotel. If you want to leave the Zona Hotelera and drive south along the coast toward Playa del Carmen and Tulum, you will need a rental car to give you the most flexibility. Our suggestion is to rent a car from the hotel for the day you want to go exploring. This way you don’t pay for a car you won’t use much. If you decide to rent a car at CUN, you will find it easy and convenient. All major car rental companies have offices there.
Los Cabos
Whether you are staying in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose Del Cabo you arrive at the same airport, Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). The airport is 20 minutes from San Jose and 40 minutes to Cabo San Lucas. These two areas have different vibes so research both areas in advance and know where you want to spend most of your time.
If you plan to stay at your hotel and enjoy the amenities, you probably don’t need a rental car. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful to get you where you need to go. If you are staying in Cabo San Lucas and want to visit San Jose Del Cabo (or visa versa), we suggest taking a rideshare out and back. It’s a 30-minute drive and the cost is much less than renting a car. However, if you decide to rent a car at the airport, it is easy and convenient like in Cancun.
Please note that most U.S. auto insurance companies will not cover you while driving in Mexico. Personal liability insurance or third-party insurance is mandatory, but you may want to consider additional insurance as well. U.S. driver’s licenses are sufficient for renting a car in Mexico.
Getting to Cancun and Los Cabos is relatively easy if you live in the United States. The amount of time it takes to fly depends on whether you live on the east or west coast. For those living in the middle of the country, there is no significant difference in flying times. All major airlines offer a number of flights daily into both locations.
Beaches
Cancun
The beaches! Isn’t this why we travel to the ocean in the first place? Cancun beaches, especially those along the Hotel Zone, offer visitors plenty of opportunities to play in the turquoise waters. The waves are manageable for most people, but certainly pay attention to the beach warning flags! Our experience is that the beaches south of Cancun, all the way to Tulum, also provide very swimmable waters. In some areas the turquoise water is calm enough to endlessly float and soak up rays.
Los Cabos
If you want to swim in the ocean consider going to Medano Beach, Lover’s Beach, Palmilla Beach, or Chileno Beach.
Activities
Cancun
What is it you like to do when you go to the ocean? Cancun and Los Cabos offer similar activities like fishing charters, boat excursions, golf, and water sports. Many of the hotels in both locations have luxury spas where you can soak away your cares. But, there are also activities that set the two places apart.
Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula provide visitors with a tropical experience, like those typically found in the warmer, Caribbean waters and islands. If snorkeling is your thing, Cancun provides some of the best opportunities in the world, many times from the shore of your hotel. Or opt for a snorkeling excursion with a local tour operator. You may also want to check out Xcaret, an eco-archeological park, south of Cancun. It is not inexpensive, but there are a host of activities that will keep people of all ages happy for hours.
If you love history and culture, arrange to spend a day exploring the Mayan ruins of Chichen-Itza, three hours south of Cancun. Chichen-Itza became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 and was more recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Or if that seems a bit too much, consider exploring the Tulum Ruins, a two-hour drive from Cancun. It is the only Mayan ruin built on a bluff facing the sun as it rises over the ocean.
Los Cabos
In contrast to the tropical environs of Cancun, Los Cabos offers visitors a mountain range and desert landscape against the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. If you visit between mid-December and April, a whale-watching tour is a must. Each year whales migrate from the Artic to the much warmer waters off the Baja Peninsula to mate and give birth. Look closely and you can probably see them from the shore! Be sure to book your hotel early if you plan to visit during this time.
If you want to snorkel, head to Santa Maria and Chileno Bay. Plenty of tour operators are available for private and group catamaran charters. Other suggestions include jet skiing and parasailing from one of the swimmable beaches listed above. For something completely different, experience an off-road ATV or 4WD tour in the desert. You are sure to have a lot of fun and maybe enjoy a little tequila tasting along the way!
Other Information
Beyond the beaches and the available activities, you will find the nightlife, food choices, and hotels are not too dissimilar between Cancun and Los Cabos.
Want to party the night away? You will be glad to know you can find Senor Frogs on both coasts! Cancun is probably better known for its high-energy parties. Unless it’s spring break. Then you will find Los Cabos is just as rowdy. If low-key is more your style, choose San Jose del Cabo over Los Cabos for its smaller, more intimate restaurants and clubs.
When we think of hotels and resorts in Cancun, all-inclusive comes to mind first. We have stayed at several of these resorts over the years and all have been good. At some point though we gave up paying for an all-inclusive experience because it did not fit our lifestyle anymore. New luxury and boutique hotels seemingly pop up overnight so you are sure to find a hotel that fits your needs.
Los Cabos has several all-inclusive resorts, but there aren’t as many as in Cancun. There are a number of moderately priced hotels available in addition to high-end luxury properties. Remember, Los Cabos is frequented by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, and Justin Beiber!
Conclusions
So Cancun or Los Cabos? The decision really comes down to the kind of experience you are looking to create. There were times when we went to Mexico to party the night away. Now we look to stay in places that give off a chilled, relaxed vibe. We suggest you give Cancun and Los Cabos a try and see which is best for you.
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