A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandeville vs. Big Pine Key for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandeville or Big Pine Key?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Pine Key? 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 Big Pine Key?

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.

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Big Pine Key, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Big Pine Key?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Big Pine Key, 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 Big Pine Key?

Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key in the Summer?

Both Big Pine Key and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Pine Key in the Autumn?

Both Big Pine Key and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Pine Key averages at about 80°F (27°C).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 258 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Pine Key in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Big Pine Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round.

In January, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Pine Key in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Big Pine Key. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the spring, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 326 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than Big Pine Key. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Pine Key and Mandeville