Head-to-head for families
Cancun or Aruba in January for families?
Families score Cancun 8.6 out of 10 in January against 8 for Aruba, mainly on nightlife and things to do.
Kids in tow changes the maths: pool time, short transfers, food everyone will eat and day trips that survive a nap schedule.
Quick verdict
Cancun for nightlife, things to do, value for money. Aruba for easy and safe, beaches.
Cancun, Mexico
8.6/10
28C days, 26C sea, 100mm rain
Aruba, Aruba
8/10
30C days, 40mm rain
Rated for families
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| NightlifeBars, clubs and late-night energy | ||
| BeachesSand quality, water clarity and swimming | ||
| Food sceneRange, quality and local character | ||
| FamiliesKid-friendly resorts, pools and day trips | ||
| RomanceCouples, honeymoons and adults-only stays | ||
| Things to doExcursions, culture and day trips | ||
| All-inclusiveChoice and value of all-inclusive resorts | ||
| Value for moneyWhat a typical day actually costs | ||
| Easy and safeComfort for first-time visitors | ||
| Exploring soloHow easy it is to get out on your own | ||
| Flight accessDirect routes and flight time from North America |
Side by side in January
| Factor | Cancun | Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 28C | 30C |
| Rainfall | 100mm | 40mm |
| Sea temperature | 26C, swimmable | Varies by season |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | 5 out of 5 |
| Getting there | under 5 hours from most of North America | 4h from Miami |
| Typical cost | Highest rates of the year, so lock in early. | Expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Almost no rain year round, Outside the hurricane belt |
What is on in Cancun in January
- Three Kings Day on 6 January, with rosca de reyes in every bakery
- The calmest, clearest sea of the year
- Peak whale-free but perfect snorkelling conditions at Puerto Morelos reef
Crowds. Peak season. Book flights and restaurants well ahead.
Prices. Highest rates of the year, so lock in early.
Seaweed. Sargassum seaweed risk is low, so the sand is at its cleanest.
Storms. Outside hurricane season entirely.
Dated plans and community meetups are listed on the Cancun events calendar.
Book Cancun for January
- Check Cancun hotel ratesLive all-inclusive and boutique pricesOpen
- Browse Cancun toursChichen Itza, cenotes, Isla Mujeres and moreOpen
- Get an airport transfer quoteFixed price, 20 minutes to the Hotel ZoneOpen
Prefer a plan first? Build a free day-by-day Cancun itinerary.
Where Aruba genuinely wins
- Almost no rain year round
- Outside the hurricane belt
- Very safe and easy
Pick Aruba if your budget is open and you specifically want what only it offers: almost no rain year round.
What catches people out
- Expensive food and hotels
- Small island, limited variety
- Constant wind
The Cancun edge
Cancun offers far more to do for less money, with the same water and better food.
Cancun is the rare beach destination that also works as a base. The airport is one of the busiest in Latin America, the transfer to your hotel takes twenty minutes, and within two hours you can be swimming in a cenote, climbing a Mayan pyramid, snorkelling the second largest reef on the planet, or eating cochinita pibil in a downtown market for the price of a coffee elsewhere. That combination is why we keep building these comparisons and keep reaching the same conclusion.
Cancun wins for you? Start here.
Cancun or Aruba for your kind of trip
Compare Aruba in other months
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