A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand-Bourg vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg 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.

Where Should I go: Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Grand-Bourg

Marie-Galante is an island of the Guadeloupe archipelago, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Sometimes called the "Big Pancake" for its circular shape and flat terrain, the island is a prime location for sugar fields which provide the ingredients for Marie Galante's famous cane juice rum. The island is also known for its many windmills, beaches, and historic plantations.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 Grand-Bourg and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Grand-Bourg is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand-Bourg is in Caribbean Islands and Carmel-by-the-Sea is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Grand-Bourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Grand-Bourg has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand-Bourg experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand-Bourg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand-Bourg year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the summer, Grand-Bourg is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand-Bourg in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Grand-Bourg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand-Bourg gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand-Bourg as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand-Bourg attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Grand-Bourg is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 27°C (80°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Grand-Bourg receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand-Bourg gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grand-Bourg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand-Bourg throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Grand-Bourg is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand-Bourg averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand-Bourg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grand-Bourg during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand-Bourg because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Grand-Bourg is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand-Bourg in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand-Bourg gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grand-Bourg