A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. Other popular activities here include museums, beaches, and hiking.

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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Jekyll Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Jekyll Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its resorts and hiking. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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 Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a moderate island for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

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

Is Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Both Jekyll Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea are considered to be great beach destinations.

The beaches at Jekyll Island attract visitors from all over. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

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 Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Jekyll Island is a popular spot for hiking. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

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 Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options 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.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Jekyll Island 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums around the destination of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums around the relaxing island of Jekyll Island, 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. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded destination of Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Jekyll Island is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This island 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The summer months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

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

Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Jekyll Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Jekyll Island is generally around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 53°F (12°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Jekyll Island is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Jekyll Island