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

Should you visit Mandeville or Cabarete?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Cabarete? 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 Cabarete?

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.

Cabarete

Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Cabarete or Mandeville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Cabarete is $178. 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 Mandeville and Cabarete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $37
    Cabarete $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $74
    Cabarete $146
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Cabarete

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Cabarete? 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.

Hotels in Mandeville


Hotels in Cabarete


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: Cabarete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $30
    Cabarete $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete

Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
  • Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
  • Puerto Plata: Private Airport Transfer to/from Cabarete: $40
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Cabarete?

Prices for flights to both Cabarete and Mandeville 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mandeville $41
    Cabarete $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.04
    Cabarete $52

Tours and Activities in Cabarete

For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
  • 4 Wheel Adventure: $126
  • 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
  • From Puerto Plata: Cayo Arena Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling: $227
  • Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
  • Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
  • Private tour: Dudu cenotes + Playa Grande Beach + much more: $220
  • Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
  • Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Shore: $189
  • Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $80
  • Super Buggy Tour in Puerto Plata Shore/hotel + Lunch: $169
  • Two-hour adventure on a TUBING along the Yasica River.: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.30
    Cabarete $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Cabarete, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Cabarete?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Cabarete, 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.