Comparison · Cabo San Lucas vs Mexico City · Mexico
Cabo San Lucas vs Mexico City
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Microstar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Cabo San Lucas for El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing and beaches; choose Mexico City for Tacos al pastor, National Museum of Anthropology and lower day-to-day costs. Mexico City is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,182 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,182 km
- Less expensive
- Mexico City
- Best time for Cabo San Lucas
- November–April
- Best time for Mexico City
- March–April and October–November
Side by side
| Cabo San Lucas | Mexico City | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Mexico | Mexico |
| Known for | El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing and Whale watching | Tacos al pastor, National Museum of Anthropology and Frida Kahlo |
| Best time to visit | November–April | March–April and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$350 | $120–$220 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | April, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | December, 21°C (70°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | Médano Beach | — |
| Airports | SJD | MEX, NLU, TLC |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cabo San Lucas for…
El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing and beaches. Cabo San Lucas sits at the very tip of the Baja California peninsula, where granite headlands end at El Arco and the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The town wraps around a marina packed with sportfishing boats, with Médano Beach as its main swimming strand…
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Choose Mexico City for…
Tacos al pastor, National Museum of Anthropology and lower day-to-day costs. Mexico City sits at about 2,240 metres in a high valley ringed by volcanoes, built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Its historic centre around the Zócalo holds the Templo Mayor ruins, the cathedral and Diego Rivera's murals, while Chapultepec…
Top sights compared
| # | Cabo San Lucas | Mexico City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Arco at Land's End | Zócalo |
| 2 | Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) | Metropolitan Cathedral |
| 3 | Glass-bottom boat to Land's End | Templo Mayor |
| 4 | Médano Beach | National Palace murals |
| 5 | Marina boardwalk | Palacio de Bellas Artes |
Food compared
| Cabo San Lucas | Mexico City |
|---|---|
| Baja-style fish tacos | Tacos al pastor |
| Smoked marlin tacos | Chilaquiles |
| Chocolate clams | Tamales and atole |
| Ceviche and seafood tostadas | Tlacoyos |
Which is cheaper?
Mexico City is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $120–$220 per person there, against $200–$350 in Cabo San Lucas (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Mexico City on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,182 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cabo San Lucas or Mexico City cheaper?
Mexico City is usually less expensive: about $120–$220 a day mid-range against $200–$350 (estimates).
+Is Cabo San Lucas or Mexico City better for a first trip?
Pick Cabo San Lucas for El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing and beaches, or Mexico City for Tacos al pastor, National Museum of Anthropology and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Cabo San Lucas from Mexico City?
About 1,182 km in a straight line.