Destination head-to-head
Cancun or Cartagena in February?
Cartagena edges it on paper in February at 8.3 out of 10 against Cancun's 7.6, but the gap closes fast once you price the flights, the food and the day trips.
Quick verdict
Cancun for all-inclusive, families, beaches. Cartagena for value for money.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
29C days, 26C sea, 60mm rain
Cartagena, Colombia
7.7/10
31C days, 2mm rain
Rated side by side
Out of five on each criterion.
| What matters | Cancun | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| 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 February
| Factor | Cancun | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 31C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 2mm |
| Sea temperature | 26C, swimmable | Varies by season |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | 2 out of 5 |
| Getting there | under 5 hours from most of North America | 3h from Miami |
| Typical cost | Highest rates of the year, so lock in early. | Cheap |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Gorgeous old town, Excellent value |
What is on in Cancun in February
- Carnaval de Cancun street parades and floats
- Dry, breezy days in the mid 20s to high 20s
- Cheapest month to dive the cenotes before spring crowds
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 February
- 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 Cartagena genuinely wins
- Gorgeous old town
- Excellent value
- Great nightlife
Pick Cartagena if gorgeous old town is the single thing you care most about on this trip.
What catches people out
- City beaches are poor
- Very humid
- Best beaches need a boat
The Cancun edge
Cancun keeps the Latin energy and value but the beach is right there, no boat required.
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.
Compare Cartagena in other months
Other places people compare with Cancun in February
- Cancun or Punta Cana in February
- Cancun or Dubai in February
- Cancun or Mexico City in February
- Cancun or Jamaica in February
- Cancun or Nassau and the Bahamas in February
- Cancun or Aruba in February
- Cancun or Barbados in February
- Cancun or Costa Rica in February
- Cancun or Tulum in February
- Cancun or Playa del Carmen in February