Los Cabos is cooler and drier, similar to the beautiful weather in Southern California. Cancun is humid and in the Gulf of Mexico, which creates a greater chance of hurricanes and heavy storms. Cabo only has on average 10 rain days per year. For those looking to travel on a budget, Cancun is the way to go.
Despite the fact that the beach is beautiful in both places, some people prefer the beach in Cancun because it’s wider and more vibrant in color than in than the beach in the Riviera Maya. Many honeymooners choose the Riviera Maya because the region tends to be more romantic.
We’d have to say Puerto Vallarta has better beaches if you want to swim in the ocean. Many of the beaches in Cabo are unsafe for swimming because of strong currents and rip tides. But both have numerous beautiful beaches to walk along or to spend a lazy chillax day, feeling blessed you’re on holiday in Mexico.
Total rainfall is given in days, inches and millimetres. Among Mexico’s major beach destinations, the hottest during the day on average are Zihuatanejo and Huatulco, while the warmest nights happen at Acapulco. The lowest daytime temperatures normally occur in Mazatlán, while the coolest nights are at Cabo San Lucas.
We’ve found that Cancun has better beaches than Puerto Vallarta, as it has many white sand beaches with soft, ‘powdery’ sand. However, because Cancun is such a famous destination, the gorgeous stretches of sand here tend to be highly developed and very busy.
Puerto Vallarta
One of the top resort cities in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is also the among the top gay friendly cities in Mexico. On our most recent Mexico trip, we stayed in a Puerto Vallarta all inclusive resort — considered one of the safest resort towns in Mexico.
From a price standpoint, Los Cabos is a bit more expensive than most other Mexican resort areas, but still quite reasonably by international standards. With its large share of 5-star tourists, there are also many very expensive restaurants and shops, but still plenty of places suited to smaller budgets as well.
Cabo vs Cancun – The Cost
Both places have similar prices when it comes to accommodation and food. However, they can vary depending on the time of the year, peak season, and so on.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall.
Playa del Carmen, the north beach in Tulum, and Akumal all have lifeguards for the beaches but they are limited. Swim close to shore and it you are not a big swimmer, wear a life vest. Waves will not get to big, this is a not a surfers paradise so swimming can be done every day!
Playa del Carmen is known for white sand beaches, beautiful clear turquoise waters, but in 2015 it is also becoming known for record-breaking amounts of seaweed.
No where is perfectly safe but the Mayan Riviera is one of the safest areas of Mexico. Traffic is getting worse (and thus more accidents) and both Cancun and Playa del Carmen have recently had some incidents of gang/cartel violence. However, we go every year without any major concerns. 4.
At the end of the day, the choice boils down to what you really want to get out of your Mexican experience. For those looking for more of a tranquil and relaxing getaway, Tulum is lovely. While larger travel groups, families and those itching to let loose would probably find Cancun to be more to their liking.
With both of these places being major tourist destinations for people all over the world, you may expect one place to be more expensive than the other. But the matter of fact is that Cancun can be cheaper than Riviera Maya for some things and Riviera Maya can be cheaper than Cancun for others.
Vallarta is less expensive than Cancun. I compare prices there often and it is much more expensive over-all unless you go A/I and then never leave the hotel to eat or go out.
The city is bigger than Cabo, and the lush jungle and mountains surrounding it are spectacular and great for exploring. … Puerto Vallarta is a safe destination for tourists too – as is Cabo – but as always you must be vigilant in regards to petty crime in both destinations, and be careful of leaving drinks unattended.
Pacific: The Pacific Coast beaches are a little more rugged with darker sand but unarguably breathtaking. … The Verdict: The picturesque Caribbean beaches feel more exotic, but Pacific beaches have more personality.
Is Puerto Vallarta or Cancun Safer? Both Puerto Vallarta and Cancun are tourist destinations and are relatively safe. That said, Puerto Vallarta has less crime than Cancun.
Puerto Vallarta is a stunning resort town located on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state. Known for its spectacular beaches, marine life, water sports, and local resorts, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.
Puerto Vallarta is located on beautiful Banderas Bay where the waters are calmer than the Pacific Ocean. The bay and beaches are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Punta Mita is known as a celebrity hotspot, perhaps a surprising accolade when you consider it doesn’t have the international reputation of Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya, or even nearby Puerto Vallarta.
Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
There are so many beautiful beaches lining Mexico’s shores, but Playa Norte is among the best, thanks to its soft white sand and sparkling waters. Plus, it’s just a short ferry ride away from Cancun.
Tulum is an absolute gem; a bohemian beach town full of ancient ruins, sea turtles you can snorkel with, and giant underwater caves you can swim in, and one of the top beaches in Mexico calls Tulum home.
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