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

Should you visit Mandeville or San Diego?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or San Diego? 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego

For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego is $202. 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 San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    San Diego $115
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or San Diego? 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 San Diego


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: San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $31
    San Diego $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego

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

  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in San Diego HTL-APT(SAN): $47
  • Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Downtown to San Diego Airport (SAN): $68
  • Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Downtown: $68
  • Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $240
  • Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $120
  • Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • San Diego Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Diego: $70
  • San Diego Airport - Private Round Trip Transfer: $70
  • San Diego Airport (SAN): Private Transfer to San Diego: $188
  • San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego 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
    San Diego $45

Typical Food Prices in San Diego

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

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

  • Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
  • Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $81
  • San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
  • Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
  • Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
  • San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
  • San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
  • Guided Secret Food Tour: $102
  • Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
  • San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
  • Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.31
    San Diego $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

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

  • Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $24
  • "Drink, Ride, Sing, & Dance!" Bar Tour (4 bars included): $33
  • 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
  • 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
  • 1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego: $35
  • 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
  • 1Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
  • 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
  • A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
  • All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
  • Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Balboa Park Puzzling Adventure: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    San Diego $21

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
  • History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
  • Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
  • Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $119
  • Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $131
  • Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
  • Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
  • Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
  • Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
  • California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
  • Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215


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


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and San Diego, 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 San Diego?

San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mandeville is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mandeville usually receives more rain than San Diego. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    San Diego 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as San Diego. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the autumn, Mandeville is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 San Diego. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    San Diego 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego 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 San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Mandeville is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than San Diego. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    San Diego 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Mandeville is much warmer than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the spring, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    San Diego 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for San Diego and Mandeville

Mandeville San Diego
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (46 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 59°F (15°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 59°F (15°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 71°F (22°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 57°F (14°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)