Head-to-head for couples
Cancun or Miami for couples?
Couples score Cancun 8.8 out of 10 across the year against 7.7 for Miami, 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, families. Miami for no passport needed for americans.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
28C to 33C all year, sea 26C to 29C
Miami, United States
7.7/10
Art deco, Latin nightlife and South Beach.
Rated for couples
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 26C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 55mm |
| 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 | Domestic |
| Typical cost | All-inclusive value most of the year | Expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | No passport needed for Americans, Elite nightlife and dining |
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 Miami genuinely wins
- No passport needed for Americans
- Elite nightlife and dining
- Easy logistics
Pick Miami if your budget is open and you specifically want what only it offers: no passport needed for americans.
What catches people out
- Hotel and dining prices are steep
- Water is pleasant, not Caribbean
- Parking and traffic
The Cancun edge
For the price of three Miami nights you get a week in Cancun with better water and included food and drink.
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.