Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mandeville or Cozumel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel?
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.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
-
Mandeville Prices
Jamaica PricesCozumel Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $95Cozumel $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $122. 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 Cozumel in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $37Cozumel $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $74Cozumel $126
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Cozumel
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Cozumel? 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $30Cozumel $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 dayMandeville $41Cozumel $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandeville $8.01Cozumel $40
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 10 Experiences Tour : $200
- 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $78
- 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán : $72
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $55
- ATV Adventour: Jade Cave Cenote, Transportation & Tequila: $87
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern Double: $113
- ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
- ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
- ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $64
- ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
- Adventure Tour Village ATVs Beach with Snorkeling and Villa Maya: $100
- Adventure in Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Cozumel: $90
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.27Cozumel $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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 Cozumel 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Cozumel?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Cozumel, 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.