Head-to-head for couples
Cancun or Hawaii for couples?
Couples score Cancun 8.8 out of 10 across the year against 8.1 for Hawaii, mainly on all-inclusive and value for money.
Two of you, a limited number of dinners, and a strong preference for somewhere that looks as good in the evening as it does at noon.
Quick verdict
Cancun for all-inclusive, value for money, flight access. Hawaii for easy and safe, beaches, romance.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
28C to 33C all year, sea 26C to 29C
Hawaii, United States
8.1/10
Volcanoes, waterfalls, surf and true Pacific beauty.
Rated for couples
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Factor | Cancun | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 27C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 75mm |
| 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 | 6h from Los Angeles |
| Typical cost | All-inclusive value most of the year | Very expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Spectacular landscapes, Great hiking and surf |
Book your Cancun trip
- 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 Hawaii genuinely wins
- Spectacular landscapes
- Great hiking and surf
- No passport for Americans
Pick Hawaii if your budget is open and you specifically want what only it offers: spectacular landscapes.
What catches people out
- Very expensive
- Long flights from the East Coast
- Cooler ocean and strong currents
The Cancun edge
Cancun costs roughly half per day, is four hours closer for most of North America, and the sea sits near 28C.
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.