Which place is cheaper, Mandeville or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Mandeville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Mandeville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Mandeville?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Mandeville $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Mandeville is $81. 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 Montego Bay and Mandeville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Mandeville $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Mandeville $76
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Mandeville
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Mandeville? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Mandeville $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Southcoast Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Negril: $27
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $20
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel Airport Transfer : $21
- Secrets Wild Ochid/ St. James Private Airport Transfer: $43
- Secrets Resort Airport Transfer: $20
- Secrets & Breathless Hotel Montego Bay - Private Airport Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Mandeville?
Prices for flights to both Mandeville and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $84Mandeville $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Mandeville $8.31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Mandeville $6.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Mandeville, we can see that Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Mandeville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Mandeville?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Mandeville, 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 Montego Bay or Mandeville?
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 Montego Bay or Mandeville in the Summer?
Both Mandeville and Montego Bay during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mandeville receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mandeville receives 257 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Mandeville in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Mandeville fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Mandeville 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mandeville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Mandeville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Mandeville receives 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mandeville during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Mandeville receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Mandeville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mandeville averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Mandeville 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mandeville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Mandeville. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mandeville receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mandeville receives 226 hours of full sun.
In January, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Mandeville. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Mandeville fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Mandeville 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mandeville in the Spring?
Both Mandeville and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Mandeville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mandeville receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Mandeville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mandeville during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Mandeville receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Mandeville in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Mandeville fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Mandeville 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Mandeville and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Mandeville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.