A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandeville vs. Bar Harbor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor? 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: Mandeville or Bar Harbor?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Bar Harbor 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor than you might in Mandeville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Bar Harbor?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Bar Harbor, 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 Mandeville or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Bar Harbor. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Bar Harbor. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Mandeville is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In the winter, Mandeville is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Mandeville