Which place is cheaper, Isla de Ometepe or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe?
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 Isla de Ometepe. 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 Isla de Ometepe?
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.
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Isla de Ometepe $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Isla de Ometepe is $34. 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 Isla de Ometepe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Isla de Ometepe $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Isla de Ometepe $26
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Isla de Ometepe
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe? 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 $31Isla de Ometepe $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $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: $106
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe?
Prices for flights to both Isla de Ometepe 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 $39Isla de Ometepe $13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Isla de Ometepe $13
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 Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Isla de Ometepe $8.85
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 Isla de Ometepe, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Isla de Ometepe is in Central 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe?
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 Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?
Both Isla de Ometepe 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. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?
Both Isla de Ometepe 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Isla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Isla de Ometepe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Isla de Ometepe. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is cooler than Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Isla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Isla de Ometepe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.