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

Should you visit Mandeville or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Monica? 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 Monica?

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 Monica

When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.

Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.

So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.

The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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
    Santa Monica Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mandeville $95
    Santa Monica $248

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $37
    Santa Monica $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $74
    Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Santa Monica

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica


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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $30
    Santa Monica $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:

  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Santa Monica?

Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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
    Santa Monica $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.

  • City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
  • Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
  • Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.01
    Santa Monica $38

Tours and Activities in Santa Monica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:

  • 1934 Classic MotorSailer Experience Timeless Elegance and History: $240
  • 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
  • 3 Hour Private Jeep Tour of Santa Monica: $200
  • 4-Hour Los Angeles Tour With Guide And Hotel Pickup: $131
  • City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
  • City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
  • E-Boat Ride in Marina Del Rey Boat Tour Experience: $85
  • Exotic Tijuana Massage Tour in LA: $250
  • Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops: $99
  • Half Day Best of Los Angeles Tour from Santa Monica : $79
  • Hidden Los Angeles Private Photo Tour - Best for social media: $164
  • Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.27
    Santa Monica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica

Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15


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


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

Santa Monica 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 Monica in the Summer?

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

Mandeville is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mandeville is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Santa Monica in the Spring?

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

Mandeville is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Mandeville

Mandeville Santa Monica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 57°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 61°F (16°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 66°F (19°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 67°F (20°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 58°F (14°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)