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

Should you visit Mandeville or Whistler?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Whistler? 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 Whistler?

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.

Whistler

Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.

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


Which place is cheaper, Whistler 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 Whistler is $125. 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 Whistler in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    Whistler $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Whistler

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Whistler? 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 Whistler


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: Whistler Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $31
    Whistler $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:

  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
  • Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
  • Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Whistler?

Prices for flights to both Whistler 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
    Whistler $30

Typical Food Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:


  • Coffee at Starbucks
    $12
  • Tim Hortons Breakfast
    $12
  • Coffee at Timmy's
    $3.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whistler

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

  • Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner Tour in Whistler: $131
  • Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.31
    Whistler $78

Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:


  • Driving Range
    $15

Tours and Activities in Whistler

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $111
  • Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $16
  • Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $155
  • Callaghan Cruiser Snowmobile Tour : $218
  • Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $140
  • Full Day Fly Fishing Tour: $249
  • Full Day Spin Fishing Tour: $249
  • Glacier Sightseeing Experience by Seaplane from Whistler: $183
  • Guided Lunch Tour in Whistler: $88
  • Half Day Fly Fishing Tour: $196
  • Half Day Spin Fishing Tour: $194
  • Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    Whistler $8.72

Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:

  • Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66


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


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Whistler?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

Whistler 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 Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Whistler. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Whistler 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year.

Mandeville is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whistler. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Whistler 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler 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.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. In the winter, Mandeville is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mandeville usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Whistler 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Whistler. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round.

In April, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Whistler. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Whistler 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Whistler and Mandeville

Mandeville Whistler
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)