Head-to-head for families
Cancun or Mallorca for families?
Families score Cancun 8.8 out of 10 across the year against 7.7 for Mallorca, mainly on flight access and food scene.
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 flight access, food scene, things to do. Mallorca for easy and safe.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
28C to 33C all year, sea 26C to 29C
Mallorca, Spain
7.7/10
Coves, mountains and Mediterranean summer.
Rated for families
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Mallorca |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mallorca |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 16C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 40mm |
| Sea temperature | 26C, swimmable | Varies by season |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | 4 out of 5 |
| Getting there | under 5 hours from most of North America | 2h 30m from London |
| Typical cost | All-inclusive value most of the year | Mid range |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Beautiful coves, Great cycling and hiking |
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 Mallorca genuinely wins
- Beautiful coves
- Great cycling and hiking
- Superb food
Pick Mallorca if beautiful coves is the single thing you care most about on this trip.
What catches people out
- Only really works May to September
- Very crowded in August
- Cool sea outside summer
The Cancun edge
Cancun works all twelve months, and the Caribbean stays swimmable when the Med is 16C.
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.