Cabo San Lucas VS Cancun: Which Mexico Destination Is Right For You?

One of the questions I get asked most as a luxury travel agent specializing in Mexico vacations is: "Should we go to Cabo or Cancun?" It may seem like a simple question, but since the two destinations are vastly different, picking the wrong location can turn your perfect trip into a total flop. As someone who travels to both areas multiple times a year to stay current for my clients, I have a lot to share on this. Keep reading to see which location you should pick for your next vacation to Mexico.

Cabo San Lucas vs Cancun: Location and Geography

Geographically, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun are on opposite sides of the country. Cabo San Lucas sits at the very southern tip of Baja California, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet. The landscape is honestly like nothing else I've ever seen in Mexico. Desert cliffs dropping right into the ocean and the famous El Arco rock arch jutting straight out of the sea.

Cabo San Lucas Luxury Resort

Cancun, on the other hand, is on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula along the Caribbean coast. Millions of travelers flock here every year chasing the turquoise waters and white sand beaches. But the beaches aren't the only draw to vacationing here. The history alone is worth the trip. Chichen Itza, Tulum ruins and cenotes give visitors a reason to leave the beach and get out and explore.

Riding UTV's in Cancun

The Water: A Major Difference Between Cabo and Cancun

Besides the obvious difference in oceans— Cabo sits on the Pacific while Cancún is on the Caribbean— there are some other major differences worth noting.

The water in Cabo can be rough. The waves are huge, strong and most resorts do not allow swimming off the beaches. However, if swimming in the ocean is on your radar then Medano Beach is a fantastic option for you. Just because most resort areas of Cabo aren't ideal for wading in the waters, Cabo is a great destination for getting on the water. Sunset cruises, seasonal whale watching, boating days to Lover's Beach and the famous arches, and deep sea fishing are some of the most popular water activities to experience in Cabo. And honestly, any one of them could be the highlight of your entire trip.

Boat Day for my Family in Cabo San Lucas

Moving over to the Yucatán Peninsula, the Caribbean Sea in Cancun is calm, clear and made for being in the water. Snorkeling, swimming, or just floating with a drink in hand… it doesn't get better than this. If the beach and ocean are the centerpiece of your trip, Cancun may be the winner for this point. One of my personal favorite properties in the area is Atelier Playa Mujeres. This is a perfect example of how both the beach and the resort experience can be in Cancun.

Beautiful Water in Cancun

Sargassum in Cancun: What You Need to Know

If you've been researching Cancun, you've probably come across the word sargassum. It's seaweed, and depending on the time of year, it can wash up on Caribbean beaches in pretty significant amounts. Some years are worse than others, and certain stretches of beach get hit harder than the rest.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, on a bad sargassum day, it affects the look and smell of the beach. Resorts work hard to clean it up daily, and some are better positioned than others. It's one of the reasons I always make sure my clients are booked at the right property in the right location.

Sargassum in the Cancun Hotel Zone

Cabo doesn't have this problem. Because it sits on the Pacific side, sargassum simply isn't a factor. The water has a completely different look and feel, dark and dramatic rather than that turquoise Caribbean color, but you won't be dealing with seaweed season.

It's not a reason to avoid Cancun. Millions of people go every year and have an amazing time. But it is something worth knowing before you book, which is exactly why having a travel advisor in your corner matters. Secrets Playa Blanca is a resort north of Cancun that typically sees less sargassum than other resorts based on it's location.

Who Should Go To Cabo?

If you want something a little more exclusive, boutique like and dramatic landscape surrounding you, then Cabo San Lucas will not disappoint. If you love to golf, enjoy delicious meals or a sports fisherman, then Cabo wins again. The culinary scene in Cabo has absolutely exploded over the last few years, and I make a point of exploring new restaurants every time I'm there. The golf courses along the Pacific bluff are some of the most jaw-dropping in the world and are kept in pristine conditions year round.

If you're celebrating something big like an anniversary, a milestone birthday, a honeymoon and you want that "wow" factor built right into the landscape, Cabo is the perfect place. One of my favorite vacations was an anniversary trip to Cabo for my husband and I where we stayed at Grand Velas Boutique Resort. This luxury, adults only all-inclusive resort is definitely worth considering for your next vacation.

Me on the beach in Cabo San Lucas

Who Should Go To Cancun?

If you're traveling with kids and want that perfect swimming beach, a huge resort with every activity imaginable, and a water park either at your resort or nearby, then Cancun will is the right choice. Cancun and the Riviera Maya have some of the best family resorts in the world and I've personally walked the properties so I can tell you exactly which ones are worth it. One resort that always gets rave reviews from my clients is Dreams Playa Mujeres.

Water Slides at Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun

If you want to explore beyond the resort and experience the authentic side of Mexico, then look no further than Cancun. The Yucatán Peninsula is rich with history, nature, and culture. Chichen Itza. Tulum. Swimming in a cenote. A day trip to Isla Mujeres. If you're the type who doesn't want to just sit at a pool for seven days (and there's absolutely nothing wrong if you do!), Cancun gives you so many options to get out and explore all within a short drive away. If adventure is your family's thing and you want a resort that includes activities with your stay, then you must consider Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

I travel to both Cabo and Cancún multiple times every year — not just to vacation, but to walk the resorts, meet the teams, eat at the restaurants, and know exactly what I'm sending my clients into. My job isn't just to book a room. It's to make sure every detail of your trip is right for you. If you want more in depth reviews of resorts in both Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, head over to my blog to read about some of my favorite luxury resorts in Mexico.

Beach at Atelier Playa Mujeres

Ready to Plan Your Mexico Vacation?

Please, please, please don't just book the first resort that pops up on Google or grab whatever Expedia is pushing. I've had clients come to me after booking on their own, and too often they've landed in a property that wasn't right for them.

I visit these properties personally. I know which resorts have the best swim-up suites, which ones have beach erosion issues, which ones are incredible for families vs. couples-only, and which ones are genuinely worth the splurge. That knowledge is what you're getting when you work with me and it's exactly why I travel as much as I do.

There's a reason my clients come back to me year after year. It's because they trust that I actually know what I'm talking about.

Ready to Plan Your Mexico Escape?

Whether it's Cabo, Cancun, or somewhere else entirely, let's find the perfect fit for you. I'll handle every detail so all you have to do is show up and enjoy.

About Me

Hi, my name is Megan. I am an award winning luxury travel advisor located in Parker, Colorado. I plan amazing custom vacations all over the globe. I travel often in order to give my clients first hand experience. Thank you for stopping by!