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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Liberia?

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 Liberia. 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 Liberia?

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.

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Grand Cayman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    Liberia $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Liberia

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Liberia? 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.

Hotels in Grand Cayman


Hotels in Liberia


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 Liberia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Liberia $43

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Transfers from Liberia Airport: $60
  • Transfers Tamarindo Diria or Occidental Tamarindo, Round Trip.: $230
  • Transfer from Playas del Coco to Liberia Airport (LIR): $90
  • Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to El Mangroove Hotel: $85
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
  • Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $94
  • Transfer from Bosque del Mar Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
  • Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
  • Transfer Riu Palace and Guanacaste Round-Trip: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Liberia?

Prices for flights to both Liberia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Grand Cayman $39
    Liberia $21

Typical Food Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Snacks
    $1.97
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.95
  • Lunch
    $11
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $14
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.

  • 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
  • Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
  • Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Liberia $25

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 Liberia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:

  • ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
  • Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
  • Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
  • 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $180
  • 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
  • 2-Hour ATV Tour: $110
  • 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
  • 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
  • 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
  • 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
  • 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
  • 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Liberia $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:


  • 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 Liberia, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Liberia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Liberia 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 Liberia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Liberia 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 Liberia.

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 Liberia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Liberia?

Liberia has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Liberia, 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 Liberia?

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 Liberia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Liberia. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Liberia. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Liberia. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Liberia averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Liberia 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Liberia in the Autumn?

Both Liberia 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 Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Liberia 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Liberia in the Winter?

Both Liberia 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 Liberia year-round.

Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Liberia. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Grand Cayman is cooler than Liberia in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Liberia 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Liberia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Liberia. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Grand Cayman is cooler than Liberia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Liberia averages at about 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Liberia 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Liberia and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Liberia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)