Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas? 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $81Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Saint Thomas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $28
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one dayMandeville $24Saint Thomas $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandeville $8.31Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour : $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Saint Thomas?
Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Saint Thomas. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the spring, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.