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

Should you visit Mandeville or San Ignacio?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or San Ignacio? 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 Ignacio?

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 Ignacio

So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.

You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.

This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Ignacio 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 Ignacio is $72. 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 Ignacio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    San Ignacio $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    San Ignacio $38
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and San Ignacio

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or San Ignacio? 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 Ignacio


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 Ignacio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $31
    San Ignacio $3.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:

  • San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
  • From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or San Ignacio?

Prices for flights to both San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.

  • Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.31
    San Ignacio $100

Tours and Activities in San Ignacio

Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $125
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
  • Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
  • Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
  • Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
  • Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
  • Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
  • Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
  • Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
  • Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    San Ignacio $17


When comparing the travel costs between Mandeville and San Ignacio, we can see that Mandeville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and San Ignacio is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Ignacio Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or San Ignacio?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Mandeville or San Ignacio in the Summer?

Both San Ignacio and Mandeville during the summer 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 San Ignacio year-round.

San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the summer, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 226 hours of full sun.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Ignacio in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    San Ignacio 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Ignacio in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and San Ignacio. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mandeville usually receives less rain than San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than San Ignacio during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 26°C (80°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    San Ignacio 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Ignacio in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as San Ignacio. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. Mandeville usually gets less rain in January than San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the winter, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 199 hours of full sun.

In January, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    San Ignacio 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or San Ignacio in the Spring?

Both San Ignacio and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Ignacio. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in San Ignacio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than San Ignacio during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Ignacio in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    San Ignacio 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Ignacio and Mandeville

Mandeville San Ignacio
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)