Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca. 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Cuenca $11
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: $106
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $39Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Cuenca $16
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
- 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
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- West Island Guided Tour with Entry Tickets: $120
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Cuenca $14
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 Cuenca, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Cuenca is in South 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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 Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Cuenca. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca 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. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.