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

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

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 Beaufort 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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a character-filled, southern, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Beaufort is a gorgeous place to visit. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food. See Beaufort travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort are both popular with visitors, Cabo San Lucas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cabo San Lucas is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Beaufort is known for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Beaufort and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. Beaufort is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Beaufort?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cabo San Lucas is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort both to be high quality 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.

Beaufort has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

Cabo San Lucas is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Resorts?

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

Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Beaufort is not a resort destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Beaufort is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Beaufort is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its beaches. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cabo San Lucas. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Beaufort. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

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

Both Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort have high quality historic old towns worth visiting.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Beaufort. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Beaufort is not a hiking destination.

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

Beaufort is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

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

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beaufort 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.

Beaufort is a beautiful place to visit, too. There are many beautiful spots to take in nature or watch the sunset.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for romance. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Cabo San Lucas has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Beaufort makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

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

Cabo San Lucas is notable for backpackers. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town 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.

Beaufort is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't any real places for backpackers to stay in the area.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Cabo San Lucas has a few public transit options. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Public transit is quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Beaufort is a very walkable city. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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

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

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Beaufort. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Beaufort.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Beaufort. 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 Beaufort. 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 Beaufort 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 Beaufort?

The beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Beaufort might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Beaufort is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Beaufort?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaufort. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cabo San Lucas has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Beaufort is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Beaufort Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Beaufort?

Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Beaufort. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and Beaufort, 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.