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

Should you visit Mandeville or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Sur? 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 Big Sur?

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.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Big Sur, we can see that Mandeville is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Mandeville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mandeville than you might in Big Sur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Mandeville or Big Sur?

Big Sur 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 Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mandeville is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Big Sur. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur 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, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Mandeville is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mandeville or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur 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, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Mandeville is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than Big Sur. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Mandeville