Destination head-to-head
Cancun or Hawaii in March?
It is close in March: Cancun 7.6 out of 10, Hawaii 7.6. The tiebreaker is what you do between beach days, and that is where Cancun runs away with it.
Quick verdict
Cancun for all-inclusive, value for money, flight access. Hawaii for easy and safe, beaches, romance.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
30C days, 26C sea, 45mm rain
Hawaii, United States
7.6/10
27C days, 60mm rain
Rated side by side
Out of five on each criterion.
| 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 in March
| Factor | Cancun | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 30C | 27C |
| Rainfall | 45mm | 60mm |
| 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 | Highest rates of the year, so lock in early. | Very expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Spectacular landscapes, Great hiking and surf |
What is on in Cancun in March
- Spring equinox at Chichen Itza, when the serpent shadow descends the pyramid on 20 to 21 March
- Spring break energy along the Hotel Zone
- Almost no rain and glass-flat mornings
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 March
- 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.