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

Should you visit Mandeville or Gainesville?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Gainesville? 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 Gainesville?

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.

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?

Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Gainesville. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Gainesville. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Gainesville. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Gainesville in the Autumn?

Both Gainesville 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, most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months.

Mandeville is a little warmer than Gainesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Mandeville or Gainesville in the Winter?

Both Gainesville 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Mandeville is much warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Gainesville averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Gainesville. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Gainesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round.

In April, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In April, Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gainesville. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Mandeville