Which place is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge?
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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge?
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.
Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Columbia River Gorge $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $179. 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 Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Columbia River Gorge $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Columbia River Gorge $178
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Columbia River Gorge $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge 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 $39Columbia River Gorge $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Columbia River Gorge $20
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Columbia River Gorge $12
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.
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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?
Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Columbia River Gorge. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Columbia River Gorge 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Columbia River Gorge 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Grand Cayman during the winter 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.
It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
Columbia River Gorge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Columbia River Gorge 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Columbia River Gorge 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Columbia River Gorge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.