Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan. 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Mazatlan $21
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: $106
- 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 Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $39Mazatlan $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Mazatlan $9.59
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 Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Mazatlan $18
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 Mazatlan, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
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 Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Mazatlan. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan because of the beaches.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.