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

Should you visit Havana or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Havana and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

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 Havana and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana 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 Havana Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Havana or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Havana is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Havana is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Havana usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 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 Havana