Image courtesy of One&Only Palmilla
Mexico is always a good idea. In high school, I spent summers there and my love for the country has only grown. Two of my favorite beach destinations are the Cancún/Riviera Maya and Los Cabos areas. Even better, both are easy to get to. Most airlines offer multiple non-stops from the US's larger airports. Whether you have a week or just a weekend, both areas have plenty to offer: gorgeous beaches, beautiful weather, adventure, incredible food and a nice mix of accommodations.
Cancún vs. Cabo: an overview
When people talk about Cancún, they most likely mean Riviera Maya, which is where you’ll find the best hotels in the area. For me, a perfect trip to Riviera Maya includes plenty of beach time. The water is a perfect turquoise and the sand is soft. It's great for swimming and snorkeling. As much as I love to relax at the beach or pool, I also love to explore the area.
I first visited Puerto Morelos, a town in Riviera Maya, 12 years ago when it was a very sleepy seaside village. Since then, it's grown a bit, but it's still a charming spot where you can shop at the markets selling local goods and have some super fresh ceviche and margaritas with a gorgeous view of the turquoise waters. When I'm feeling adventurous, I love taking a cenote tour to learn about the incredible natural sinkholes (and even dive in if you're brave). When I want to add some culture to my itinerary, I stop by the ruins to learn about the area's Mayan history.
If I'm in Cabo, I love the always-charming San José del Cabo. The town square is picturesque and feels authentic, plus there are beautiful art galleries, cute shops and incredible restaurants and bars. Every trip to Cabo should include a visit to Flora Farms, a 25-acre organic farm with an amazing restaurant, shops, cooking classes and more. If it's whale season (December to April), I'm definitely getting on a boat. There are a lot of options, but my favorite is a half-day boat tour where you can see the breathtaking rock formations, catch some whales and sip cocktails.
What to expect in Cancún
Cancún is known for its beautiful beaches, busy hotel zone and bustling nightlife. It offers a mix of modern luxury and traditional Mexican culture, with easy access to shopping, entertainment and adventure. It's also a great base for other areas like the beautiful coastline and charming cities in the Riviera Maya. And contrary to popular belief, Cancún is a great destination for families.
Just south of Cancún, the Riviera Maya stretches along the Caribbean coast, offering a more laid-back and picturesque atmosphere. This region is home to some of Mexico’s most stunning beaches, where you can relax on soft, powdery sand and swim in the calm, warm waters of the Caribbean. Puerto Morelos is a charming fishing village with great restaurants, cute markets, cold cervezas with a view and a laid-back vibe. Playa del Carmen is a nearby vibrant and cosmopolitan beach town. The town's main street is 5th Avenue, a buzzing pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants, cafés, markets and bars, creating a lively yet relaxed vibe.
What to expect in Cabo
The Los Cabos region offers different areas with unique charm and experiences. Cabo San Lucas is a vibrant area known for its energetic atmosphere. There's a bustling marina, great restaurants and upbeat nightlife. San José del Cabo offers a more relaxed, quaint and artsy vibe. This charming colonial town is known for its cobblestone streets, historic architecture and quaint town square. The town is known for its "Art Walk" every Thursday evening, where galleries open their doors for a festive cultural experience.
Todos Santos is a small, picturesque town nearby that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and bohemian charm. It’s known for its historic architecture, thriving art scene and laid-back atmosphere. The town is surrounded by dramatic landscapes, from sandy beaches to rugged hills, and is a haven for artists, surfers and nature lovers.
Cancún vs. Cabo: climate, landscape and beaches
Image courtesy of One&Only Palmilla
Cancún and the Riviera Maya, located along the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, are renowned for their white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters and lush jungle. The climate reflects the tropical setting, with warm temps and high humidity. The beaches here are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving, with some of the clearest waters in Mexico.
Located at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, Cabo is where the desert meets the sea. The area is known for its dramatic landscape of rugged cliffs, golden sandy beaches and the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. The iconic landmark, El Arco, is a natural rock formation at the tip of the peninsula, where the ocean waves crash against the towering rocks, creating a breathtaking scene. The desert climate brings hot, dry weather year round and more moderate temperatures. (It can be cool in the morning, depending on when you go.) Cabo has gorgeous beaches with soft sand, clear cobalt water and stunning rock formations. While totally beautiful, there aren't many swimmable beaches in the area because of strong currents.
What to do in Cancún and Cabo
Cancún’s home, the Yucatán Peninsula, is rich with Mayan culture, and it's a great spot to visit ancient Mayan ruins. The area also has tons of natural beauty, and is home to some of Mexico's best cenotes, underground rivers and caves that you can dive into and explore. The surrounding jungle offers plenty of adventurous activities, like ATV rides and zip lining. The area is also great for snorkeling, scuba diving or taking a boat or catamaran adventure to nearby islands like Isla Mujeres. There are also beautiful golf courses with incredible views.
Cabo’s home, the Baja Peninsula, offers a wide range of activities for all travelers. If you visit between December and April, check out a whale-watching tour. The area also offers other great water activities like deep-sea fishing and surfing. You can also take a boat tour to catch the beautiful rock formations, like El Arco. For land lovers, Cabo offers world-class golf courses, ATV tours and horseback riding.
What to eat in Cancún and Cabo
Regional specialties of the Yucatán Peninsula have a lot of Mayan and Caribbean influence and include ingredients like achiote, citrus, habaneros and smoke. Make sure to try cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish that’s marinated in citrus and spices, often cooked in a banana leaf, and traditionally served with pickled onions and tortillas. You’ll see similar flavors in ceviches and grilled seafood dishes in the area.
The Baja Peninsula is known for fresh seafood from the Pacific. Baja-style seafood tacos — fresh seafood lightly battered and fried, then topped with cabbage and a delicious sauce — are a must when visiting the region. Because deep-sea fishing is a popular activity in the area, marlin is a popular fresh fish. Smoked marlin tostadas are also popular in the area. The marlin is smoked and shredded, then topped with salsa and fresh pico de gallo or cabbage.
Where to stay in Cancún and Cabo
Below are a few of my favorite properties in both Cabo and Cancún.
The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya
The St. Regis Kanai is a spectacular new property in the Kanai area, about 40 minutes from the Cancún airport (it's also one of the best beachfront resorts in Cancún). The circular design of the hotel's buildings was inspired by the Mayan culture and the constellation Pleiades, and it’s built over beautiful, lush mangroves. The rooms are light and airy but feel very luxe, with beautiful accents carved out of walnut wood, inspired by Mayan design. All rooms have stunning views and offer spacious outdoor areas to soak them up.
The pools are immaculate and the beach club is a vibe (all beach chairs have foot baths next to them so you don’t get your towel sandy — genius). The restaurants are outstanding (shout out to the spicy cucumber marg) and the service is incredible. Don’t miss the Champagne ritual every night at 6:30 pm, a St. Regis tradition where a Champagne bottle is sabered and everyone gets to enjoy a glass. The hotel is great for anyone: solo travelers, honeymooners, girls' groups and families (there’s a free kids' club!).
Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include $100 resort credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
One&Only Palmilla
The One & Only Palmilla is the grand dame of luxury hotels in Cabo, located about 20 minutes from the airport. The hacienda-style architecture makes you feel you’re in an Architectural Digest spread; it has a charm that is impossible to replicate. The rooms match the authentic style of the hotel and feel both timeless and stylish. The pools are gorgeous and the property sits on one of the only swimmable beaches in the area.
There are multiple restaurants, all delicious, and I highly recommend the coconut marg. The small touches also make this property stand out, like the chilled scented mist available in the cabanas, the afternoon snacks delivered by your butler and the bottle of tequila waiting in your room when you arrive. The property is perfect for every traveler, and if you bring your family, the kids' club is free!
Fora Reserve perks include $150 resort credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Chablé Maroma
Chablé Maroma feels like a hidden gem, which can be hard to find in Riviera Maya. It’s about 40 minutes from the airport, but when you arrive, you feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle. The open-air lobby is gorgeous and uses all local materials in the chicest way. The rooms feel secluded and tucked into the jungle. They all feature private pools, outdoor living areas and outdoor showers. An appreciated special touch is the complimentary minibar, which is stocked daily with a couple beers and some non-alcoholic beverages, perfect to enjoy in your private plunge pool.
The pool here is very Instagram-worthy, with a trendy patterned tile that photographs very well. The beach is expansive, with soft sand and calming turquoise water. The on-property restaurants are excellent, and the hotel boasts an award-winning wine cellar. The serene spa includes an herb garden and all guests can enjoy the hydrotherapy pools. The hotel blends wellness, sustainability, luxury and service seamlessly. It’s great for a yoga retreat, honeymoon or girls' weekend.
Fora Reserve perks include $100 resort credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Mar del Cabo Hotel by Velas Resorts
Image courtesy of Mar del Cabo Hotel
Mar del Cabo Hotel blends comfortable amenities with the natural charm of the Baja Peninsula. Located about 30 minutes from the Cabo airport, the Mediterranean-style hotel is light and airy and lined with bright flowers. The spacious rooms are apartment-style, equipped with kitchenettes and a separate living and dining area. The food at the restaurants is fresh and the service is warm and friendly. The beach setup is lovely, although the water is not swimmable.
The hotel is on the smaller side, so it feels like more of a retreat than some of the megaresorts in the area. The hotel is about 20 minutes from San José del Cabo, which makes it an excellent base to explore the town. It's 16+, and with the large suites, it’s great for a group trip, those looking for a little more space and travelers who aren’t as concerned with amenities (there’s no spa, but you can go to one of the hotel’s sister properties on either side if you want a treatment).
