A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boca Raton vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a luxurious, posh, and outdoorsy coastal city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boca Raton. Although Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Boca Raton has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boca Raton is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Boca Raton and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Boca Raton is famous for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. It is also well known for Red Reef Park.

How is Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Boca Raton is a well-known place 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 a good number of museums and monuments packed into Boca Raton. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.

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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea both to be very good destinations.

Boca Raton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

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

Boca Raton offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Boca Raton is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Boca Raton, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.

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

Is Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Boca Raton is a coastal city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Boca Raton. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.

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

Is Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.

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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Boca Raton is a coastal city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Boca Raton. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Boca Raton. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Boca Raton 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.

Boca Raton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.

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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea both very good destinations for a couple.

Boca Raton is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.

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

Boca Raton is a coastal city 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.

Boca Raton has a few public transit options. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.

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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.

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

Boca Raton is somewhat walkable. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.

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

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

How long in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boca Raton than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton.

One day in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Boca Raton, 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy coastal city of Boca Raton, 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.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the posh destination of Boca Raton, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this coastal 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Boca Raton 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 coastal 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Boca Raton has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boca Raton during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Boca Raton for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Boca Raton is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Boca Raton because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the autumn, Boca Raton is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boca Raton in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Boca Raton 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. June to November in Boca Raton is the hurricane season.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Boca Raton is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 65°F (19°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Boca Raton usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Boca Raton is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Boca Raton 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. The hurricane season in Boca Raton is June to November.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boca Raton