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

Should you visit Mandeville or Lancaster?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Lancaster? 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 Lancaster?

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.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Mandeville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Mandeville Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Lancaster Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mandeville $95
    Lancaster $221

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $221. 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 Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $37
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $74
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Lancaster? 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 Lancaster


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: Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $30
    Lancaster $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster 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 $41
    Lancaster $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • International Food Tour Lancaster, PA: $62
  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $69
  • 3 Hour Retro Music Variety Show Dinner Theater: $75
  • Outdoor Cooking Class Activity with Customizable Recipes: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.01
    Lancaster $19

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.

  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $35
  • Amish Experience Visit-In-Person Tour: $56
  • Amish Farm and House Day Tour from Washington D.C.: $169
  • Amish Farmlands Tour: $27
  • Authentic Tour & Meal with the Amish!: $89
  • Ghost Tour of Lancaster: $25
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • Guided Tour of the Lititz 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $10
  • Historic Lancaster Photo Shoot Tour: $100
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $60
  • Lancaster Puzzling Adventure: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.27
    Lancaster $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Lancaster

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lancaster:

  • Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Lancaster City: $79


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


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Lancaster?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

Lancaster 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 Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Lancaster. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mandeville is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Lancaster. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Lancaster for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Lancaster. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster 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, the winter months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lancaster can be very cold. Mandeville is much warmer than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster 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. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

In the spring, Mandeville is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the spring, Mandeville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Lancaster. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Mandeville

Mandeville Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)