A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Vancouver for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a friendly, outdoorsy, and scenic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Vancouver travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Vancouver than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Vancouver is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Vancouver is well known for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. Also, Vancouver is famous for Stanley Park.

How is Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Vancouver on the map. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Vancouver offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its beaches. However, Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful 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.

Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

Vancouver is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Around Vancouver visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Vancouver is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver.

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

Vancouver is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Families?

Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Couples?

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

Vancouver is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Vancouver is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is a well-known place for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Vancouver. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

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

Vancouver is renowned for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Vancouver has a great public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Vancouver on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

How long in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

In either Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Carmel-by-the-Sea, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Vancouver.

One day in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

When visiting Vancouver, people usually allow for lots of time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

A weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

When visiting Vancouver, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

When visiting Vancouver, people usually allow for lots of time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Vancouver is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 450 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Vancouver. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vancouver for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Carmel-by-the-Sea is around the same temperature as Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 62°F (17°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Vancouver can be very cold during winter. Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Vancouver. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Carmel-by-the-Sea