Choose Cabo if…
- your guests lean adventure (6 adventure picks versus 4)
- you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night
- you love the setting: desert meets sea at the tip of Baja: El Arco, whale season, farm-to-table dinners and a 30 km resort corridor between two towns
Choose Cartagena if…
- many guests are on a budget: activities here skew cheaper
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you want lots of private group options for friends to book together
Side by side
| Cabo | Cartagena | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | November to May | December to April |
| Getting there | Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. | Rafael Núñez International (CTG) is 15 minutes from the walled city. |
| Car needed? | Not usually | Not usually |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Budget-friendly |
| Group-friendly activities | 11 of 12 | 12 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 5 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 4 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 1 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 2 | 3 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. | Colombian peso (COP). |
| Tipping | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. | A 10% service charge is often suggested on the bill. You can accept or decline it. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. | Dinner usually from 7:30 to 10 pm. |
Top group activities in Cabo
- Glass-bottom boat to El Arco and Lover's Beach. See the famous rock arch and sea lions, with drop-off at Lover's Beach.
- Sunset dinner cruise. Dinner and drinks on the water as the sun sets behind the arch.
- Whale watching tour. Humpback whales breach right off the coast in winter. A highlight of the season.
- Snorkeling at Santa Maria and Chileno Bay. Calm protected bays full of tropical fish. Gear and snacks included.
Top group activities in Cartagena
- Rosario Islands boat trip. White-sand islands, snorkeling and a beach club lunch.
- Walled city history walking tour. Plazas, churches and the story of the old Spanish port.
- Street food tour. Arepas, fried fish, tropical fruits and fresh juices.
- Colombian cooking class. Make ceviche, coconut rice and patacones with a local cook.
Questions couples ask
Is Cabo or Cartagena better for a destination wedding?
Choose Cabo if your guests lean adventure (6 adventure picks versus 4). Choose Cartagena if many guests are on a budget: activities here skew cheaper.
When is the best time for a wedding in Cabo and Cartagena?
Cabo: November to May. Cartagena: December to April.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Cabo or Cartagena?
Cabo: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Cartagena: Rafael Núñez International (CTG) is 15 minutes from the walled city.
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