So, you’re planning on going on holiday. There are so many things you have to consider before making a choice! If you’ve landed on Hawaii and Cancun and cannot decide, let’s look at which place would make the perfect getaway for you!
Hawaii and Cancun offer beautiful beaches, exciting attractions, and amazing cultural experiences. Since Hawaii is a state and Cancun a city, naturally, Hawaii offers more variety than Cancun. However, Cancun is the best option if you’re on a tight budget.
Let’s take a look at which destination is better. Hawaii or Cancun? We will look at how they compare in terms of location, price, beaches, and attractions!
Which Place Is Best To Visit, Hawaii Or Cancun?
When choosing between Hawaii and Cancun, there are a few things to remember. First, Hawaii is a state, while Cancun is a city. So naturally, Hawaii will have more things to do than Cancun. So, if you don’t mind spending money and looking for a beautiful place that offers a variety of things to do, Hawaii is definitely the winner!
However, both of these destinations offer excellent experiences, depending on your circumstances. So let’s consider some factors that might influence your decision.
Location
Hawaii is a state located in the Pacific Ocean, about 2,000 miles from the continental United States. This state is known for its stunning beaches and tropical climate. The largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, it is home to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii; Pearl Harbor, an important military base; and Waikiki Beach, a popular tourist destination.
Cancun is a city located on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which borders the Caribbean Sea. Cancun is a popular tourist destination, famously known for its beaches, tropical climate, and resort-style hotels. So if you want to feel the familiarity of the U.S., you will definitely enjoy Hawaii more than Cancun. You also don’t need a passport to go to Hawaii if you’re a U.S. citizen, but you will need one to go to Cancun.
Population
1.42 million people are living in Hawai’i. Over 20 percent of them are under 18 years old, while only 19.6 percent are over 64 years old. About 49.7 percent are female. Hawaii is racially diverse, with only 11.1 percent being Hispanic or Latino and 25.3 percent as White alone (not Hispanic).
The largest racial group is Asians (alone), who comprise 36 percent of the population. Only 2.2 percent are black, and 10.5 percent are Natives. Hawaii has two official languages, namely English and Hawaiian.
About 934 000 people live in Cancun, and the official language is Spanish. About 51 percent of the population is male. Cancun is ethnically diverse, of which the majority are classified as Mestizos, which means that they identify as having both indigenous and Spanish cultural traits.
Weather And Climate
Hawaii has a tropical climate with great warm weather year-round. Average temperatures are in 70-high 80s degrees Fahrenheit, with the lowest in the mid-60s and 70s.
Cancun has a semi-tropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is warm year-round, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s during the warmer months and upper 60s to mid-70s during colder months. Both places are warm and sunny year-round.
The best months to visit Hawaii is usually between March and September, when you can enjoy warmer temperatures with little rain. Unlike Hawaii, the best time to visit Cancun is between December and April, when you will have less chance of rain. So. if you can only go a certain month, use these timelines as a guideline.
Landmarks And Attractions
There are many famous landmarks in Hawai’i, such as:
- Diamond Head, an inactive volcano that is now a popular hiking spot
- Hanauma Bay, a popular snorkeling spot
- Waimea Canyon, which features stunning landscapes, colorful rock formations, and waterfalls
- Mauna Kea Volcano, the largest mountain in Hawaii
- The Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, made famous from the Jurassic Park Films
Cancun also boasts with attractive and exciting landmarks such as:
- Cancun Scenic Tower, which offers amazing views of the Caribbean sea and the Riviera Maya coastline
- Cancun Underwater Museum, which has over 473 underwater sculptures
- Archaeological Zone of Kahunlich, where you will find the preserved Temple of the Sun, built around 500 CE
- El Meco Archaeological Site, which contains the tallest temple in this region
- Iglesia de Cristo Rey, the first Catholic Church in the city, was constructed in 1971.
Both Cancun and Hawaii have beautiful views and interesting attractions. In Hawaii, you can visit the volcanoes, take helicopter rides, walk through the Bamboo forest, climb the Stairway to Heaven, enjoy water sports and boat rides, and attend a luau.
In Cancun, you can take a glass-bottom boat ride, dive, snorkel, swim and take day trips to Isla Mujeres. Of course, both also offer educational and cultural experiences. But Cancun is the best choice if it is just about a cultural experience for you!
Beaches
One of the best beaches in Cancun is Playa Delfines, Cancun’s largest and most stunning public beach. It has powdery white sand with electric blue water. There are umbrellas to rent, thatched palapas, and bathrooms. It is also near the Hotel Zone so you can stay over and enjoy the beach which is nearby.
Costa Mujeres is a gated luxurious beach also in Cancun. There are many resorts, restaurants, golf areas, and more. It also has archeological sites such as the Chacmuchuc lagoon.
Another favorite in Cancun is Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres. It has a string of hotels and beach restaurants with soft and sugary soft sand and shallow waters. It is a great beach to hang out with family and friends while enjoying delicious food.
One of Hawaii’s best beaches is Waikiki Beach on Oahu’s calm and golden island. While the beach can sometimes get a bit crowded, it has a fun scene. Here you can mingle with locals and tourists alike, as well as grab a delicious drink at the Royal Hawaiian hotel. Ko Olina Beach, located on the west side of Oahu, is another favorite.
It has clear blue water that is not too deep, so children can splash around. Above the lagoon, you will find Aulani, which is a Disney Resort and Spa. If you’re looking for a surfing beach, Waimea Bay is one of the top picks. From November to February, you can expect giant waves perfect for pro surfers and riders.
This beach also hosts surfing competitions. If you had to choose based on beaches alone, it would be tough! Both offer great beaches. But Hawaii is a whole state, so naturally, there is more variety that suits different preferences.
Prices
If you’re on a budget, Cancun is the better choice. Hawaii is currently one of the most expensive states in the United States, so it is maybe not the best place to go on vacation if you’re on a tight budget. Of course, you have the option of camping to save money, but that is not always the safest option! Cancun, however, offers affordable hotels and food.
While the restaurants and hotels on the beach of the Hotel Zone can be expensive, there are many other options to choose from.
Safety
Hawaii is relatively safe, with a violent crime rate of 2.9 incidents per 1000 people, which is below the U.S. average of 3.7. So, if safety is a factor for you, Hawaii is the best place to visit. However, if you want to go camping, you must take precautions.
Other than the usual precautions one needs to take and theft, Hawaii is one of the safest cities in the U.S. However, you should always keep your valuables safe in your hotel room and keep an eye on your items if you’re on the beach.
Cancun is a relatively safe city, one of the safest in Mexico. It is thus a safe place for you to visit. Most crimes that occur in Cancun result from drug cartels, but that is far from the tourist zones and does not involve tourists. While safe, you will naturally need to take the normal precautions you always would when visiting any new place.
In general, for both destinations, there are additional concerns for women when traveling solo. For example, never accept a drink from a stranger, be mindful about who you spend time with, and don’t walk alone at night. But in general, both destinations are relatively safe.
Conclusion
You simply cannot say that one is better than the other! Hawaii and Cancun offer beautiful beaches, exciting attractions, and cultural experiences. But Cancun is ideal if you’re on a budget, value a cultural experience, and want to spend a huge portion of your vacation on the beach!
If you want more beach variety, the familiarity of the U.S., and enjoy numerous land and water activities, and you can afford it, Hawaii is the best option for you! But, remember, always be safe no matter where you visit, especially if you travel alone.
References
- https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/is-cancun-safe/
- https://www.gohawaii.com/trip-planning/travel-smart/safety-tips
- https://www.planetware.com/mexico/best-beaches-in-cancun-mex-1-55.htm
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Mexico
- https://travel2next.com/landmarks-in-hawaii/
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/HI
- https://datamexico.org/en/profile/geo/cancun
