Which place is cheaper, Monterey or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Monterey? 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 Monterey?
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.
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
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.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesMonterey Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Monterey $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Monterey is $211. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hot Springs and Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Monterey? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Monterey $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey and Hot Springs change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Monterey $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Monterey $27
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo: $23
- Mist, Mayhem & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $24
- Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour: $62
- Cannery Row Kayak Tour: $65
- Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $65
- Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide: $70
- Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide: $75
- 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
- Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $75
- "Family Friendly" Scenic E-Bike Tour along 17 Mile Dr: $79
- 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Monterey $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $206
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Monterey, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Monterey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Monterey?
Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Monterey, 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 Monterey?
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 Hot Springs or Monterey in the Summer?
Both Monterey and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Monterey in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Monterey. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Monterey in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Monterey. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Monterey in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Monterey. Additionally, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Monterey. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Monterey averages at about 51°F (11°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Monterey in the Spring?
Both Monterey and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Monterey. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.