Which place is cheaper, Panama 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 Panama 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 Panama 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 Panama 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.
Panama City
As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Panama City $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $224. 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 Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Panama City $128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Panama City $256
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Panama 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 Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Panama City $48
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama 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 $39Panama City $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Panama City $19
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 Panama City
Here are a few actual costs in Panama City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour with Capt. Zach's Adventures: $73
- 2 Hour Dolphin and Sightseeing Tour in Panama City Beach, Fl: $72
- 2 Hour Private Dolphin and Sightseeing Tour in Shell Island: $65
- 3 Hour Cruise, Snorkel, Swim/float Sandbar - tandem tiki option: $80
- 90 min Cruise at Lower Grand Lagoon : $54
- Beach Sunset and Lagoon Skyline Tour: $70
- Beginner Scuba Diving Tour PCB Free Videos: $129
- Beginner Scuba Diving Tour with Videos-PCB: $129
- Catamaran Snorkel and Dolphin Watch Tour in Panama City Beach: $60
- Cypress Springs Eco Adventure: $110
- Discover Snorkeling Tour in Panama City: $65
- Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on The Footloose Catamaran from Panama City Beach: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Panama City $56
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 comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Panama City is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Panama 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 Panama City?
Panama 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 Panama City in the Summer?
Both Panama City 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, most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Panama City. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Panama City fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
Panama City 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Panama City. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Panama City 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Panama City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Panama City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Panama City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Panama City fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Panama City. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Panama City 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Panama City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Panama City. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Panama City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Panama City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Panama City. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Panama City 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Panama City in the Spring?
Both Panama City 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, many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Panama City. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Panama City fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Panama City. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Panama City 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Panama City and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Panama City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.3 inches (184 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.5 inches (192 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 inches (104 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.