Choose Cabo if…
- you want guests to manage without renting a car
- 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 Maui if…
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you love the setting: volcano sunrises, the Road to Hana, snorkeling with turtles and whales in winter
Side by side
| Cabo | Maui | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | November to May | April to May, September to November |
| Getting there | Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. | Kahului airport (OGG) is 30 minutes from Wailea and about 1 hour from Kapalua. |
| Car needed? | Not usually | Mostly yes |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 11 of 12 | 11 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 5 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 5 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 1 | 1 |
| Budget eats on our list | 2 | 5 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. | US dollar (USD). |
| Tipping | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. | Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. | Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead. |
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 Maui
- Road to Hana guided tour. Waterfalls, black sand beaches and rainforest along the famous coastal road.
- Haleakalā sunrise tour. Watch the sun rise above the clouds from the 10,000-foot summit.
- Molokini crater snorkel trip. Snorkel in the clear water of a sunken volcanic crater, plus Turtle Town.
- Whale watching cruise. Humpback whales fill Maui's waters every winter.
Questions couples ask
Is Cabo or Maui better for a destination wedding?
Choose Cabo if you want guests to manage without renting a car. Choose Maui if guests are staying longer and want day trips.
When is the best time for a wedding in Cabo and Maui?
Cabo: November to May. Maui: April to May, September to November.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Cabo or Maui?
Cabo: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Maui: Kahului airport (OGG) is 30 minutes from Wailea and about 1 hour from Kapalua.
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