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

Should you visit Mandeville or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz?

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.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Santa Cruz?

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

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Santa Cruz. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In July, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In April, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Mandeville