Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas. 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 Puerto Varas?
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.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas? 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 Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Puerto Varas $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 Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 $39Puerto Varas $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Puerto Varas $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
- 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 Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- Classic Chiloe Tour: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Frutillar Bike Tour from Puerto Varas: $79
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $185
- Premium Full day Tour to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue in Puerto Varas: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Puerto Varas $6.51
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 Puerto Varas, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Varas is in South 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas.
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 Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Puerto Varas, 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 Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas 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.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin April. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Puerto Varas. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas 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.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin October. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.