Which place is cheaper, Chapel Hill or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill?
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Chapel Hill $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Chapel Hill is $164. 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 Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Chapel Hill $95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Chapel Hill $190
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill? 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.
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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Chapel Hill $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill?
Prices for flights to both Chapel Hill and Grand Cayman 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
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Food Meals for one dayGrand Cayman $39Chapel Hill $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Chapel Hill $17
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
- Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
- Stingraycity Adventure: $69
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
- Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
- Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill
Here are a few actual costs in Chapel Hill for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
- Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $20
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour: $16
- Chapel Hill, NC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
- Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
- Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Burgers, Brews, and History too: $107
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Chapel Hill $40
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chapel Hill:
- Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Chapel Hill much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chapel Hill 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 Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman than you might in Chapel Hill.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is Chapel Hill Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill, 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 Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill in the Summer?
Both Chapel Hill and Grand Cayman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Chapel Hill. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Chapel Hill. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Chapel Hill. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Chapel Hill. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Chapel Hill. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Chapel Hill in the Spring?
Both Chapel Hill and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Chapel Hill | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.