A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Banff for Nightlife, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cabo San Lucas and Banff can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a wild, adventurous, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty in Cabo San Lucas as well. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a sporty, adventurous, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food. See Banff travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Banff are popular destinations, Cabo San Lucas has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cabo San Lucas is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Banff attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Banff and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for Land's End. Banff is famous for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Banff and Cabo San Lucas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is a world-class destination for winter skiing. However, Cabo San Lucas is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Banff. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Cabo San Lucas is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cabo San Lucas or Banff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Banff both to be excellent destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cabo San Lucas makes for a great culinary experience. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Banff has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Cabo San Lucas is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

Banff has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its resorts. However, Banff is not a resort destination.

Cabo San Lucas is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Banff is not a resort destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Banff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Cabo San Lucas. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Banff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for the beach. However, Banff is not a beach destination.

Cabo San Lucas is considered a top beach destination. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Banff is not a beach destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its old town. However, Banff does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Cabo San Lucas. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Banff does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Banff visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas for the hiking trails. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Banff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Cabo San Lucas as well. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Banff are excellent to visit with kids.

Cabo San Lucas is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Banff is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Couples?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Banff are terrific destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Banff is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas and Banff are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Many backpackers visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cabo San Lucas and Banff.

You'll find some public transit in Cabo San Lucas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

While Banff offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Banff a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Banff both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

Banff is a very walkable city. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting? and Is Banff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Banff or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

In either Cabo San Lucas or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Banff because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Banff. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cabo San Lucas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Banff. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Banff if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this wild destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cabo San Lucas. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Banff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Cabo San Lucas is a fun place to experience. In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this scenic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Banff is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabo San Lucas and Banff, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Banff.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Banff?

Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and Banff, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.