A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a charming, colorful, and cultural town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

San Cristobal de Las Casas and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Cristobal de Las Casas is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. San Cristobal de Las Casas is well known for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is famous for the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Cristobal de Las Casas. The town is filled with historical churches such as the main Cathedral of San Cristobal. While this is the most notable church, there are also smaller churches worth visiting like the Templo Santo Domingo, Iglesia de Guadalupe, and Iglesia de San Cristobal. For museums, make sure you check out the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, Na Bolom, and Museo de Ambar.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Carmel-by-the-Sea offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in San Cristobal de Las Casas. The cuisine is a mix of Spanish-influenced cured meats such as ham and sausage, as well as indigenous flavors like tamales and burritos. There's also a lot of great pizza around town as well as several Asian restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty to do in the evening. There's an active nightlife scene that includes everything from late night clubs to salsa lessons. Most tourists who want to party head to the pedestrian streets around the plaza. There are countless bars where you'll likely find a crowd late into the night. Some clubs have a cover charge on weekends but, in general, drinks are cheap and getting around is easy.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its beaches. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not a beach destination.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

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

Is the Shopping Better in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a world class destination for shoppers. The nearby villages are famous for their weaving, leather, pottery, and embroidery, so many visitors pick up souvenirs at the colorful markets around town. This is one of the best towns in Mexico to purchase local items, and you should definitely set aside time to explore and shop.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a town with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a family-friendly place to visit. While kids may not appreciate the town's beauty and culture, they will have fun exploring the night market or taking a chocolate-making class. There are pedestrian streets where everyone can explore without fear of traffic and pizza restaurants that appeal to the kids as well.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Carmel-by-the-Sea make for a excellent place to visit.

San Cristobal de Las Casas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, markets, traditional cuisines, and new experiences will love their time here. It's a fun place to simply wander. You can explore the markets and then eat at a local restaurant before making your way back to your boutique hotel.

Couples visit Carmel-by-the-Sea frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in town as well as budget-friendly hotels. Backpackers love the laid back nature of this town as well as the many markets and nature-oriented activities.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a town 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a few public transit options. Urbano buses are minibuses that connect the town to the outlying residential areas. There are also colectivos that travel to nearby villages.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around San Cristobal de Las Casas on foot. Walking is the best way to experience the town. Most of the sights can be reached on foot and there are pedestrian-only streets that let you avoid the traffic.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

How long in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Cristobal de Las Casas and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Carmel-by-the-Sea. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Cristobal de Las Casas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas.

One day in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Even though San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this quaint small town offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people come for the beaches. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful small town offers. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This town offers something for everyone.

A week in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. This town 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.