Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara?
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $81Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Santa Barbara? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31Santa Barbara $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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 $24Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandeville $8.31Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 5 STARS: "Where The Locals Go!" Nature-History Tour: $95
- Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
- City & Sand Electric Bike Tour: $105
- Coastline Kayak Tour near Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide: $122
- Downtown SB Walking Food & Drink Tour: $175
- Electric Bike Adventure in Santa Barbara Wine Country: $83
- Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley: $139
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- Montecito Coastline Electric Bike Guided Tour: $125
- Private Helicopter Tour in Santa Barbara: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Santa Barbara. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the summer, Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).
Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
Both Santa Barbara 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 travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
Both Santa Barbara 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. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Mandeville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Barbara. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
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.