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

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Hilo?

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 Hilo 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 idyllic, wild, and adventurous city. Many visitors also come to Cabo San Lucas because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Hilo

Hilo is a mellow, friendly, and authentic town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, museums, and food. See Hilo travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and Hilo: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Hilo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Hilo is more popular for its hiking. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Hilo and is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo 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 Hilo?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Hilo have notable 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.

Hilo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

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

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Hilo 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.

Hilo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

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.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hilo is not known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

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.

Snorkeling is an option in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

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.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Hilo 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.

Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Hiking?

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

Around Hilo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

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 Hilo?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cabo San Lucas. 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.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is very popular for its scenery and beauty. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Cabo San Lucas because of it's amazing beauty. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Hilo 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, Hilo is very family-friendly. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is very popular for couples. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Cabo San Lucas makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

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

Cabo San Lucas and Hilo 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 Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo is not known for its public transit.

While Cabo San Lucas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Hilo a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

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

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

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Hilo?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Cabo San Lucas has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Hilo. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cabo San Lucas. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. 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 Hilo?

Cabo San Lucas is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hilo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the wild destination of Cabo San Lucas. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the idyllic city of Cabo San Lucas. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabo San Lucas and Hilo, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Cabo San Lucas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cabo San Lucas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cabo San Lucas 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Cabo San Lucas.

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 Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and Hilo, 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.