A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. San Antonio for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio?

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 San Antonio 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 scenic, idyllic, and wild city. The famous beauty of Cabo San Lucas is one of the main draws. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a historic, cultural, and colorful city. San Antonio is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See San Antonio travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio 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, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while San Antonio is known for its museums and attractions and music. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Antonio is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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.

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

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio both to be very good 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.

San Antonio has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is a city with good options for live music. However, Cabo San Lucas is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Cabo San Lucas is not a live music destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Cabo San Lucas to choose from. 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.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

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

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

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Cabo San Lucas for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in San Antonio. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cabo San Lucas. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Cabo San Lucas is one of the main draws. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

San Antonio is a beautiful place to visit, too. The RiverWalk feels almost like a European city and its filled with colors and festiveness.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Antonio is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cabo San Lucas is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Cabo San Lucas is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options 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.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio Better for Students?

San Antonio is a city with good options for students. However, Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Cabo San Lucas is not popular with students.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a good destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

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

How long in Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in San Antonio. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Antonio.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the scenic city of Cabo San Lucas. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In San Antonio, you'll find nightlife and live music. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the wild destination of Cabo San Lucas. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

San Antonio is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the scenic city of Cabo San Lucas. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cabo San Lucas. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of San Antonio. 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio, we can see that San Antonio 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 San Antonio Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and San Antonio, 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.