Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Pamplona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
Puerto del Carmen
Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.
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Pamplona Prices
Spain PricesPuerto del Carmen Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamplona €161Puerto del Carmen €210
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €161, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €210. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamplona €67Puerto del Carmen €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamplona €134Puerto del Carmen €196
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pamplona Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamplona €24Puerto del Carmen €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $281
- Private Transfer from Logroño city to Pamplona: $281
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Pamplona change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPamplona €72Puerto del Carmen €89
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pamplona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pamplona.
- Pamplona Food Tour : Route of Pintxos Virales through the Old Town: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamplona €34Puerto del Carmen €17
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Baztan Valley and Zugarramurdi Caves tour: $97
- Cobblestones Tour Immersive Medieval Tour English: $30
- Cobblestones Tour Immersive Walking Tour in English: $30
- Essential The Ultimate Walking Tour: $96
- Hemingway's Pamplona Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- La Rioja wines and Laguardia tour from Logroño: $104
- La Rioja wines and Laguardia tour from Pamplona: $110
- MEDIEVAL Immersive Knight-Led Walking Experience: $35
- Pamplona - Private Historic Walking Tour: $473
- Pamplona Cathedral Guided Tour History Curiosities and Art: $10
- Pamplona Highlights Walking Tour with Coffee and Churros Break: $45
- Pamplona Mysteries and Legends Tour: $44
Tours and Activities in Puerto del Carmen
For Puerto del Carmen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners: $137
- Lanzarote: First Dive Experience at Punta Tiñosa by Boat: $182
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamplona €31Puerto del Carmen €60
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $255
- Wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from La Rioja: $290
- Rioja wine tour: two wineries from La Rioja or Pamplona: $309
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Puerto del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Pamplona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pamplona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pamplona 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 Puerto del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto del Carmen than you might in Pamplona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamplona Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.