Which place is cheaper, Marathon or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Grand Cayman and Marathon. 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.
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.
You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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 Marathon is $158. 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 Marathon in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Marathon? 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.
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Marathon 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.
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Marathon, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Marathon 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 Marathon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marathon 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 Marathon.
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 Marathon Expensive?.
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Marathon, 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.
Marathon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Marathon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Marathon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Marathon 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 Marathon. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Marathon. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Marathon because of the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Marathon. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Marathon fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
It's quite rainy in Marathon. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Marathon. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Marathon 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 cuisine are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.
Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Marathon in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Marathon fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Marathon. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Marathon 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. Also, many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Marathon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Marathon averages at about 77°F (25°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Marathon. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Grand Cayman | Marathon | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |