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

Should you visit Mandeville or Ketchikan?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Ketchikan? 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 Ketchikan?

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.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Ketchikan?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Ketchikan. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

Both Ketchikan 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, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Mandeville is much warmer than Ketchikan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mandeville or Ketchikan in the Winter?

Both Ketchikan 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, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Mandeville is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Ketchikan averages at about 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mandeville usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Ketchikan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Ketchikan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Mandeville