Which place is cheaper, Ocean City or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Ocean City?
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 Ocean City. 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 Ocean City?
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.
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Ocean City $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Ocean City is $160. 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 Ocean City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Ocean City $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Ocean City $166
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Ocean City
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Ocean City? 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 Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Ocean City $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $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: $107
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Ocean City?
Prices for flights to both Ocean City 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 $39Ocean City $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Ocean City $18
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 Ocean City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ocean City are as follows:
- Assateague Island Morning Cruise: $79
- Atlantic Coastline Parasailing Adventure: $132
- Atlantic Ocean Catamaran Cruise with Crew: $125
- Banana Boat Fun Adventure: $33
- Bay Hopping Food Boat Tour with Tastings: $179
- Downtown and Boardwalk Foodie Walking Tour: $110
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Hopping Tour: $50
- High-Speed Sunrise Cruise and Dolphin Watching: $25
- High-Speed Sunset Cruise & Dolphin Watch: $36
- Midtown District Walking Foodie Tour: $110
- Speedboat Coastal Tour with Dolphin Spotting: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Ocean City $14
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 Ocean City, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Ocean City 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 Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.
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 Ocean City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Ocean City?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Ocean City, 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 Ocean City?
Ocean City 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 Ocean City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Ocean City. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Ocean City in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Ocean City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in Ocean City. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Ocean City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ocean City in the Autumn?
Both Ocean City 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. Also, many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocean City averages at about 58°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Ocean City 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ocean City in the Winter?
Both Ocean City 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ocean City can be very cold during winter. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Ocean City 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ocean City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Ocean City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Ocean City in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Ocean City fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Ocean City 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Ocean City and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Ocean City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 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.