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

Should you visit Mandeville or Kailua-Kona?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona?

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.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Kailua-Kona?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?

Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

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

In July, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona 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 around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mandeville or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

Both Kailua-Kona 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.

In the winter, Mandeville is a little warmer than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.

Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mandeville usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

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

In April, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Mandeville