Which place is cheaper, Maui or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Maui?
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 Maui. 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 Maui?
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.
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Maui $275
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Maui is $275. 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 Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Maui $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Maui
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Maui? 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 Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Maui $62
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: $107
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $13
- Private transfer: Kahului to Kahului Airport (OGG): $99
- Private transfer: Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kahului: $99
- Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
- Private Customizable Road to Hana Tour with Transfer: $500
- Private Customizable Island Tour with Transfer: $500
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui 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 $39Maui $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience - Ma'alaea: $170
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui: $187
- Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $210
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner: $219
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Maui $38
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
- Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
- 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
- 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Upcountry Farm Tour on Maui : $300
- Sunset Tour to Haleakalā National Park from Paia : $189
- 1pm Haleakala Guided Downhill Tour: $149
- 2 hour Maalaea Luxury Powerboat Sunset Cruise Exclusive 6 Guests: $283
- 2hr Koa Kai Sunset Whale Watch Adventure: $149
- 3 Hours Guided Koa Kai Snorkel Adventure & Sunset Combo: $83
- 4 Dual-Zipline Mountain Adventure ~ Maui: $200
- 4-HR Molokini Crater + Turtle Town Snorkeling Experience: $180
- 4-Hour Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Tour from Lahaina: $205
- 7-Line Maui Zipline Tour on the North Shore: $149
- Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali: $169
- All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Maui $41
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Goat Farm, Distillery, & Glass-Blowing Tour w/ Tasting: $224
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Maui 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 Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Grand Cayman.
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 Maui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman or Maui?
Maui 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 Maui in the Summer?
Both Maui 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. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Maui 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Maui in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Maui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Maui. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Maui 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Maui in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Maui. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Maui. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Maui 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Maui in the Spring?
Both Maui 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as Maui. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Maui 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Maui and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Maui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
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.