Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Alicante?
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 Alicante or Puerto del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Puerto del Carmen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alicante or Puerto del Carmen?
Alicante
Alicante is a gorgeous coastal city in the Costa Blanca region, on the east coast of Spain. The region is famous for its white sandy beaches, the party-haven of Benidorm and the stunning palm tree-lined boulevard in the city of Alicante. I have been visiting Alicante for close to 20 years, so, it has become almost a second home to me. Here are my top tips to have the best vacation in Alicante.
Puerto del Carmen
Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.
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Alicante Prices
Spain PricesPuerto del Carmen Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlicante €179Puerto del Carmen €210
The average daily cost (per person) in Alicante is €179, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €210. 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 Alicante and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlicante €42Puerto del Carmen €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlicante €84Puerto del Carmen €196
Compare Hotels in Alicante and Puerto del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Alicante or Puerto del Carmen? 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: Alicante Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alicante -Puerto del Carmen €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alicante
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alicante:
- Transfer from Benidorm to Alicante airport in private Sedan car max. 3 passengers: $100
- Santa Barbara Castle and Show Flamenco with transfers Alicante: $89
- Private VIP Transfer Alicante-Valencia OR Valencia-Alicante: $218
- Private Transfer from Orihuela Costa to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $159
- Private Transfer from Jumilla to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $229
- Private Transfer from Dehesa de Campoamor to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $159
- Private Transfer from Campello to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $91
- Private Transfer from Alicante/Alicante Airport to Torrevieja area: $233
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Villajoyosa: $118
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Torrevieja: $124
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Torrellano: $76
- Private Transfer from Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport to Torre de la Horadada: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Alicante or Puerto del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Alicante 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 dayAlicante €124Puerto del Carmen €89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alicante
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alicante.
- Evening Spanish Tapas Cooking Class with Drinks in Alicante: $43
- Alicante Paella Cooking Class, Tapas, Drinks and Marketplace: $58
- Paella & Sangria Cooking Class in Alicante with Market Visit: $58
- Fuse Spanish With Italian For Dinner In Mutxamel: $98
- Make and enjoy a real Neapolitan pizza in Spain: $104
- Alicante PRIVATE Food Tour With Locals: 10 Food & Drink Tastings Included: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alicante €53Puerto del Carmen €17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Alicante
Here are a few typical costs in Alicante for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Food and Tapas Tour (for 2)€54
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Catamaran Cruise (for 2)€67
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€120
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Walking Tour (for 2)€60
Tours and Activities in Alicante
Here are a few actual costs in Alicante for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour : $36
- Alicante E-Bike Coast Tour with Román Fishpond and Snorkeling: $42
- Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide : $35
- Alicante Highlights Private Tour with Castle : $89
- Alicante Highlights Tour for Cruise Passengers with Port Pickup: $116
- Alicante Historic Small Group Tour with Tapas Tasting: $35
- Alicante Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $57
- Alicante Olive Oil Tour: $101
- Alicante Secret Society Exploration Game and Tour: $5.95
- Alicante Tour: Full City, Castle, Market & Tapas Experience: $106
- Alicante food and wine experience with sommelier: $155
- Guided Winery Tour with 4 Tastings in the Countryside: $81
Tours and Activities in Puerto del Carmen
For Puerto del Carmen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Las Palmas: Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners: $141
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlicante -Puerto del Carmen €60
Sample the Local Flavors in Alicante
Also in Alicante, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas Club: $42
- Guided tour of Vinalopó Castles and Wine Tasting: $89
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas for Foodies: $161
- Wine tasting and tapas premium in Alicante : $179
- Total Alicante walking tour, tapas and wine tasting: $292
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Puerto del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Alicante much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alicante would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alicante 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 Puerto del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto del Carmen than you might in Alicante.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alicante or Puerto del Carmen?
Alicante has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Puerto del Carmen, 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.
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.