A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs 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.

Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Hot Springs can be very cold. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) 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 Hot Springs