A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand Cayman vs. Islamorada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Islamorada?

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 Islamorada. 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 Islamorada?

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.

Islamorada

From its thriving coral reefs to its miraculous botanical gardens, you will find adventure on both land and sea at Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada, or "Village of Islands," is located in Monroe County and holds a population of no more than 6,119. As Islamorada's village is occupied within a cluster of nearby islands, Islamorada is located on Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village is relatively small, expanding to about 7.2 square miles total. Approximately an hour and a half-drive from Miami and a two hour-drive from Key West, Islamorada works swimmingly for those who seek to acquaint themselves with the tropical pleasures of the Keys.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Islamorada, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Islamorada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Islamorada 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 Islamorada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamorada 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 Islamorada.

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 Islamorada Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Islamorada?

Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Islamorada, 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 Islamorada?

Islamorada 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 Islamorada in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Islamorada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, most visitors come to Islamorada for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Islamorada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Islamorada averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Islamorada. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Islamorada in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Islamorada. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Islamorada. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Islamorada. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Islamorada. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Islamorada is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Islamorada in the Winter?

Both Islamorada and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year.

Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Islamorada in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Islamorada fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Islamorada. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Islamorada in the Spring?

Both Islamorada and Grand Cayman during the spring 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 Islamorada for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Islamorada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Islamorada averages at about 77°F (25°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Islamorada. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Islamorada is June to November.

Typical Weather for Islamorada and Grand Cayman