Comparison · Cancún vs Maui · Mexico / United States
Cancún vs Maui
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose Cancún for Caribbean beaches, All-inclusive resorts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna. Cancún is generally less expensive, and the two are about 7,149 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 7,149 km
- Less expensive
- Cancún
- Best time for Cancún
- December–April
- Best time for Maui
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Cancún | Maui | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Mexico | United States |
| Known for | Caribbean beaches, All-inclusive resorts and Isla Mujeres | Haleakalā, Road to Hāna and Whale watching |
| Best time to visit | December–April | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $350–$600 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 28°C (82°F) | January, 27°C (81°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 3 |
| Beaches | Playa Delfines | Kāʻanapali Beach |
| Airports | CUN | OGG, JHM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cancún for…
Caribbean beaches, All-inclusive resorts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. Cancún is two places: the Hotel Zone, a 22-km sandbar shaped like a figure 7 between the turquoise Caribbean and the Nichupté Lagoon, lined with resorts, public beaches and nightclubs; and downtown, a working Mexican city of markets, taquerías and the main…
Choose Maui for…
Haleakalā and Road to Hāna. Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island, formed by two volcanoes joined by a flat central isthmus around Kahului. The dormant summit of Haleakalā rises to about 3,055 metres in the east, while resorts line the sunny west and south coasts at Kāʻanapali…
Top sights compared
| # | Cancún | Maui |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Playa Delfines (El Mirador) | Haleakalā summit sunrise |
| 2 | Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas | Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail |
| 3 | Museo Maya de Cancún and San Miguelito | Road to Hāna |
| 4 | El Rey archaeological site | Pīpīwai Trail and Waimoku Falls |
| 5 | MUSA Underwater Museum of Art | Waiʻānapanapa State Park |
Food compared
| Cancún | Maui |
|---|---|
| Cochinita pibil | Poke |
| Sopa de lima | Plate lunch |
| Poc chuc | Loco moco |
| Panuchos and salbutes | Shave ice |
Which is cheaper?
Cancún is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $350–$600 in Maui (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cancún on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 7,149 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 15 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cancún or Maui cheaper?
Cancún is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $350–$600 (estimates).
+Is Cancún or Maui better for a first trip?
Pick Cancún for Caribbean beaches, All-inclusive resorts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna.
+How far is Cancún from Maui?
About 7,149 km in a straight line.