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 Tulum if…
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you love the setting: mayan ruins on a cliff above the Caribbean, jungle cenotes and beach clubs
Side by side
| Cabo | Tulum | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | November to May | November to April |
| Getting there | Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. | Tulum airport (TQO) is 30 minutes away. Cancún (CUN) is about 1h45 by car. |
| 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 | 4 |
| Seasonal activities | 1 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 2 | 5 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. |
| Tipping | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. | Dinner from about 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 Tulum
- Tulum ruins guided tour at opening time. Beat the heat and crowds at the clifftop Mayan city, then swim at the beach below.
- Cenote hopping: Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote. Swim and snorkel in crystal-clear underground pools. Gear included.
- Cobá ruins by bike with a cenote swim. Cycle jungle paths between pyramids, then cool off in a cenote.
- Sian Ka'an biosphere boat and lazy river float. Mangroves, dolphins and a float through an ancient Mayan canal.
Questions couples ask
Is Cabo or Tulum better for a destination wedding?
Choose Cabo if you want guests to manage without renting a car. Choose Tulum if guests are staying longer and want day trips.
When is the best time for a wedding in Cabo and Tulum?
Cabo: November to May. Tulum: November to April.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Cabo or Tulum?
Cabo: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Tulum: Tulum airport (TQO) is 30 minutes away. Cancún (CUN) is about 1h45 by car.
Made your choice?
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