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

Should you visit Mandeville or Kauai?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Kauai? 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 Kauai?

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.

Kauai

Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.

Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.

With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.

You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Kauai or Mandeville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $190. 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 Kauai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    Kauai $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Kauai

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Kauai? 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 Kauai


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: Kauai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $31
    Kauai $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai

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

  • Shared Departure Transfer: Kauai Hotels to Kauai International Airport: $13
  • Private SUV Transfer - Lihue Airport to South Shore Kauai Resorts Koloa Poipu: $179
  • Private SUV Transfer - Kauai Cruise Ship terminal : $199
  • Private Departure Transfer to Kauai Airport (LIH): $80
  • Lihue Airport: Shared Transfer to Lihue: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Kauai?

Prices for flights to both Kauai 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 $24
    Kauai $56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai

For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
  • Ahi Uila Fire Show and Dinner: $110
  • Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
  • Explore Waimea Town on a Walking Food Tour: $129
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $171
  • Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $209
  • Napali Coast Sunset Sail with Dinner: $226
  • Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House Dinner & Show: $226
  • VIP 4-Course Dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
  • Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $242

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.31
    Kauai $17

Tours and Activities in Kauai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.

  • 'IMILOA - Express Na Pali Sunset Tour: $161
  • 'IMILOA - Express Nā Pali Snorkel Tour : $181
  • 'IMILOA - Express Whale Watch Cocktail Tour: $136
  • 1 Tank Discover Scuba at Koloa Landing with No Experience needed: $162
  • 2-Hour Snorkeling Adventure in Kauai: $115
  • 5 Hrs. Kauai Eastside Small Group Tour. Short & sweet: $162
  • 5 Line Zipline Tour: $130
  • 8 Line Zipline Tour: $160
  • Cruise Ship Excursion: Kauai – Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto: $99
  • Cruise Ship Shore Excursion: Kauai Movie Sites Tour: $173
  • Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady: $223
  • Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour on the Lucky Lady: $212

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    Kauai $14


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



When is the best time to visit Mandeville or Kauai?

Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Kauai because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mandeville is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Kauai. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Kauai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Kauai. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

In October, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kauai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun.

Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Kauai. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Kauai in the Winter?

Both Kauai and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mandeville is a little warmer than Kauai in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Kauai. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Kauai 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Kauai in the Spring?

Both Kauai and Mandeville during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Mandeville is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Kauai averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the spring, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than Kauai. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Kauai 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Kauai and Mandeville

Mandeville Kauai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (22°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 73°F (23°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 74°F (24°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 76°F (25°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 78°F (25°C) 0.6 inches (17 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 0.6 inches (16 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 78°F (26°C) 1 inches (26 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 2.5 inches (62 mm)