A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a vibrant, built-up, and well-known city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Acapulco de Juarez. Although Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Acapulco de Juarez has more sights and attractions for tourists. Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Acapulco de Juarez is famous for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. It is also well known for the cliff divers of La Quebrada. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Acapulco de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

While most people don't head to Acapulco de Juarez specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Acapulco de Juarez. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Acapulco de Juarez is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is renowned for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Acapulco de Juarez is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Acapulco de Juarez is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea are excellent choices.

Acapulco de Juarez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Acapulco de Juarez. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is renowned for couples. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Acapulco de Juarez is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Acapulco de Juarez has a few public transit options. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Families should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Acapulco de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place to visit. Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the well-known destination of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Acapulco de Juarez