Choose Cabo if…
- 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 Jamaica if…
- your guests lean relaxed (8 relaxed picks versus 5)
- 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 | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Sangster International (MBJ) in Montego Bay is 10 to 30 minutes from most Montego Bay resorts and about 1h30 from Negril. |
| Car needed? | Not usually | Not usually |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 11 of 12 | 12 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 8 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 6 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 1 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 2 | 4 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. | Jamaican dollar (JMD). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. |
| Tipping | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. | Around 10 to 15% if no service charge is on the bill. Some all-inclusive resorts have a no-tipping policy. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. | Dinner usually from 7 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 Jamaica
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios day trip. Climb the famous terraced waterfall hand in hand with a guide, then relax on the beach.
- Martha Brae bamboo rafting. Float down a calm river on a bamboo raft steered by a local raftsman.
- Sunset at Rick's Café with cliff jumping. Watch locals dive from the cliffs in Negril, or jump yourself, as the sun goes down.
- Catamaran snorkel cruise in Montego Bay. Sail to the marine park, snorkel the reef and cruise back with rum punch.
Questions couples ask
Is Cabo or Jamaica better for a destination wedding?
Choose Cabo if you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night. Choose Jamaica if your guests lean relaxed (8 relaxed picks versus 5).
When is the best time for a wedding in Cabo and Jamaica?
Cabo: November to May. Jamaica: December to April.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Cabo or Jamaica?
Cabo: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Jamaica: Sangster International (MBJ) in Montego Bay is 10 to 30 minutes from most Montego Bay resorts and about 1h30 from Negril.
Made your choice?
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