A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Beaches, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See West Palm Beach travel costs.

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.

West Palm Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea than West Palm Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Carmel-by-the-Sea is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while West Palm Beach is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for Pebble Beach Golf Course.

How is West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

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

West Palm Beach offers plenty to do in the evening. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is renowned for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

West Palm Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

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

Is West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

West Palm Beach is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

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

Is West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is renowned for the beach. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

West Palm Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, West Palm Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

West Palm Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both West Palm Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea make for a excellent place to visit.

West Palm Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach is a beach area 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.

West Palm Beach has a few public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

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.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in West Palm Beach than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of West Palm Beach, 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 is a small town with plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the fun-filled beach area of West Palm Beach, 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant destination of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this beach area 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

West Palm Beach is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 West Palm Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and West Palm Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach 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.

In July, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

West Palm Beach is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 78°F (25°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The winter months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of 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 the winter, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in West Palm Beach in January average around 65°F (19°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and West Palm Beach