A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cancun vs. Cincinnati for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Cancun or Cincinnati?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Cincinnati can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cancun

Cancun is a party-hard, tropical, and active city. The beauty of Cancun is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Cancun travel costs.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a blue collar, authentic, and hard-working city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Cincinnati travel costs.

Cancun and Cincinnati: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Cancun or Cincinnati?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cancun than Cincinnati. Cancun is bigger than Cincinnati, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cancun is more touristy than Cincinnati and is popular for its water sports, white sand beaches, popularity at spring break, and access to Mayan ruins. Also, Cancun is famous for . Cincinnati is well known for its breweries and down-to-earth personality.



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How is Cancun different from Cincinnati?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cancun or Cincinnati?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Cancun and Cincinnati.

Many visitors head to Cancun specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It's possible to do a day trip to visit the impressive Chichén Itzá, but closer by you'll find El Rey Maya Ruins and El Meco Archaeological Site. You can also visit the Maya Museum in town. For something truly unique, you can take a diving or snorkeling trip to the Cancun Underwater Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cincinnati can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.


Is the Food Better in Cancun or Cincinnati? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cancun
Cincinnati

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Cancun and Cincinnati.

Cancun has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you step away from the tourist scene, you'll find some amazing local restaurants that serve authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine. Favorite dishes in the area include tamales, sopa de lima, and tacos al pastor.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cincinnati area. Mixed in with the standard chain and fast food options, you'll find some local restaurants that serve up the iconic Midwestern favorites. For a taste of the town, try Cincinnati chili, barbecue ribs, and a corned beef Reuben.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Nightlife?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Cancun just to party. It's long been known as a party destination and there are large world famous clubs as well as smaller bars where you can hang out. The party never stops here, so be prepared for all night dancing and drinking, and it will definitely live up to its reputation.

If you're looking for night time activities Cincinnati has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Resorts?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Cincinnati is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Cancun is a great choice. You'll find most of the accommodation options in the Hotel Zone, which runs along Boulevard Kukulkan. The stretch can be divided into three areas, which each have a slightly different personality.

Cincinnati is not a resort destination.


Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Cincinnati is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Cancun a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Beautiful reefs and world class dives make this a popular destination for those who want to explore the undersea world. You'll find plenty of snorkeling and dive excursions in the area with diverse coral and marine life.

Cincinnati is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Beaches?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Cincinnati is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Cancun. There are stunning white sand beaches and turquoise blue water that make this a beautiful beach destination. There are miles of sandy coastline with many of the beaches found in the Hotel Zone.

Cincinnati is not a beach destination.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Hiking?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

Cancun is a good destination for hiking. There are some beautiful walking paths and hiking trails that are within the area.

Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Cancun or Cincinnati?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Cancun and Cincinnati.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cancun. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife, there are shopping malls and markets where you can enjoy some retail therapy.

Many visitors go to Cincinnati to go shopping. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati More Beautiful?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Cincinnati is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Cancun is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. White sand beaches and clear blue waters make this a beautiful vacation destination. Nearby jungle offers adventure, and the undersea world is magical.

Cincinnati is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Families?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cancun is a very family-friendly destination. Although this part of Mexico has long had a reputation for its party scene, the area also attracts many families, who come for the family-friendly resorts, world class snorkeling, and fascinating jungle tours. You can snorkel at the Garrafon Natural Reef Park or have fun on the water slides at Ventura Park. Xel-Ha Park is also worth a visit.

Cincinnati offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.


Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Couples?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

Cancun makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. As a world class honeymoon destination, you'll find stunning white sand beaches, amazing snorkeling and diving, and a huge range of entertainment options. You can enjoy the nightlife scene or check out Cirque du Soleil. Sunset boat cruises and romantic horseback rides all make this an amazing honeymoon destination.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun is well known for backpackers. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cancun is a great city to visit for backpackers. Mixed in between the luxury resorts are a few hostels that cater to the backpacker crowd. There are so many activities in the area, from diving to partying, that appeal to the backpacker crowd, that it won't be long before you find your people.

Cincinnati is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Is Cancun or Cincinnati Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Cancun and Cincinnati.

Cancun has some public transit options. The buses are an efficient way to get around. They stop along Boulevard Kukulcán and throughout the downtown.

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.


Is Cancun or Cincinnati a more walkable city?

Cancun
Cincinnati

Cancun and Cincinnati are great when it comes to walkability.

Cancun is a very walkable city. The Hotel Zone is where most tourists spend their time, and this area is very walkable.

Cincinnati is a very walkable destination. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

For even more information, also check out Is Cancun Worth Visiting? and Is Cincinnati Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cincinnati or Cancun?

How long in Cancun or Cincinnati?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cancun or Cincinnati to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cancun than Cincinnati because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Cancun, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cincinnati.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cancun than Cincinnati 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 Cancun.


  • How many days in Cancun or Cincinnati? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cancun 4-7 
    Cincinnati 1-2

One day in Cancun or Cincinnati?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the adventurous city of Cancun, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cincinnati. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Cancun or Cincinnati?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Cancun, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Cincinnati is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


Five days in Cancun or Cincinnati?

Cancun, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cincinnati. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Cancun or Cincinnati?

Cancun is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the hard-working destination of Cincinnati. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cincinnati or Cancun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cancun Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Cincinnati Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cancun $153
    Cincinnati $223

The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $153, while the average daily cost in Cincinnati is $223. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cancun and Cincinnati in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cancun $89
    Cincinnati $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cancun $178
    Cincinnati $204
Compare Hotels in Cancun and Cincinnati

Looking for a hotel in Cancun or Cincinnati? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cancun


Hotels in Cincinnati


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cancun Hotel Prices and Cincinnati Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cancun $16
    Cincinnati $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:


  • Taxi Around Town
    $1.52
  • Airport Shuttle (for 2)
    $13
  • Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
    $15
  • Local Bus (for 2)
    $1.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun

Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cancun Private Round trip Airport Transfer: $65
  • Airport Transfer Cancun: $60
  • Airport Transfers to Costa Mujeres - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $215
  • Akumal One Way Or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $139
  • Atv Cancun (cenote, Ziplines, Lunch And Transfer Included) : $49
  • Best SpeedBoat and Snorkeling tour with Transfer from Cancun: $25
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) Cancun hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to Akumal - Private Arrival Transfer: $107
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to Akumal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $214
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to Cancun hotel or address - Private Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to El Dorado Maroma - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to Playa del Carmen - Private Round-Trip Transfer: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Cancun or Cincinnati?

Prices for flights to both Cincinnati and Cancun change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cancun $45
    Cincinnati $95
Typical Food Prices in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cancun Pirate Ship Adventure : Dinner & Show at Sea 2 for 1 Deal: $50
  • Pirate Show in Cancun! Dinner & drinks: $62
  • Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
  • Pirate Shop & Dinner at Cancun! Drinks, Adventure and Fun: $65
  • Cancun Walking Food Tour: Local Food, Markets, and Street Art.: $77
  • Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Mexican Cooking Class with fresh Local Market ingredients selection and transpor: $79
  • Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
  • Cancun Private Mural Art and Food Tour: $81
  • Hands-On Cooking Class in Drink & Cook Authentic Dishes: $85
  • Pirate’s Night Out: Dinner and Entertainment in the Caribbean: $89
  • Unforgettable Pirate Dinner Adventure in the Mexican Caribbean: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cancun $32
    Cincinnati $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Seasick Pills
    $0.54
  • Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
    $92

Tours and Activities in Cancun

For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • ATV Tour, Zip Lines, Horseback Riding, Cenote and Tequila Tasting: $10
  • Tour to Kin Ha Cenotes with Craft Jewelry Workshop : $12
  • Tulum Mayan Ruins + Shopping Tour + Tulum Jaguar Park: $13
  • Discover Isla Mujeres tour with snorkel, buffet and open bar : $14
  • Visit to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen + Shopping Tour: $14
  • Speedboat jungle tour and snorkel: $15
  • Chichen Itza full day tour: $16
  • Catamaran Adventure in Cancun: $16
  • Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling, Open Bar and Buffet: $16
  • Tour to Tulum and Cenote for the best price! : $16
  • Full Day Tour to Coba and Tulum Cenote Swim and Lunch: $16
  • Chichen Itza Tour Full day food included: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cancun $12
    Cincinnati $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun

Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Social Pub Crawl in Cancun: $35
  • Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $99


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cancun or Cincinnati?

Cancun has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cancun and Cincinnati, 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.