Head-to-head for couples
Cancun or Orlando for couples?
Couples score Cancun 8.8 out of 10 across the year against 5.6 for Orlando, mainly on all-inclusive and beaches.
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, beaches, nightlife. Orlando for easy and safe.
Cancun, Mexico
8.8/10
28C to 33C all year, sea 26C to 29C
Orlando, United States
5.6/10
Theme parks and family logistics.
Rated for couples
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 24C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 70mm |
| Sea temperature | 26C, swimmable | No beach |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | None |
| 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 | Unbeatable theme parks, No passport for Americans |
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 Orlando genuinely wins
- Unbeatable theme parks
- No passport for Americans
- Huge hotel supply
Pick Orlando if you want a city break rather than a beach holiday, and swimming is not part of the plan.
What catches people out
- No beach
- Park tickets are brutal on the budget
- Queues and heat
- Daily afternoon storms in summer
The Cancun edge
A Cancun week with flights, food and drink included often costs less than four days of park tickets.
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.