Head-to-head on a budget
Cancun or Phuket on a budget?
Budget travellers score Cancun 8.7 out of 10 across the year against 7.8 for Phuket, mainly on flight access and all-inclusive.
The number that matters is the all-in cost: flights, room, food, drinks and the two or three things you actually want to do.
Quick verdict
Cancun for flight access, all-inclusive, families. Phuket for value for money.
Cancun, Mexico
8.7/10
28C to 33C all year, sea 26C to 29C
Phuket, Thailand
7.8/10
Limestone islands, night markets and cheap luxury.
Rated on a budget
Out of five on each criterion. Highlighted rows are the ones that matter most to you.
| What matters | Cancun | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29C | 33C |
| Rainfall | 60mm | 30mm |
| 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 | 22h from New York |
| Typical cost | All-inclusive value most of the year | Cheap |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Outstanding value, Island-hopping day trips |
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 Phuket genuinely wins
- Outstanding value
- Island-hopping day trips
- Incredible street food
Pick Phuket if outstanding value is the single thing you care most about on this trip.
What catches people out
- Extremely long haul from the Americas
- Monsoon May to October
- Party strips can be rough
The Cancun edge
Cancun offers the same turquoise water and island day trips without two days lost to flying.
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.