A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a wild, adventurous, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its small town charm. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cabo San Lucas is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea both to be great destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cabo San Lucas makes for a great culinary experience. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Cabo San Lucas is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Cabo San Lucas, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

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

Is Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

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

Is Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea are considered to be great beach destinations.

The beaches at Cabo San Lucas attract visitors from all over. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular spot for hiking. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well-known for its shopping. 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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas 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.

Cabo San Lucas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is renowned for couples. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Cabo San Lucas is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

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

Cabo San Lucas is a 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.

Cabo San Lucas has a few public transit options. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

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 Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Carmel-by-the-Sea both are great when exploring on foot.

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Cabo San Lucas, 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. Most people come for the beaches. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the idyllic city of Cabo San Lucas, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Cabo San Lucas, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. This city 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas 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.