Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas. 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $39Punta Arenas $21
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- Cayman Crystal Caves & Pedro St James Castle Tour in Grand Cayman: $179
- Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman Island: $126
- Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
- East End Activities and Tour in Grand Cayman: $158
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $275
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $262
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Grand Cayman Reef & Stingray City Snorkeling Adventure: $159
- West Island Guided Tour with Entry Tickets: $120
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Punta Arenas $4.86
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Punta Arenas, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.
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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in January.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin January. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Punta Arenas. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenasin April. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
Both Punta Arenas and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Punta Arenas can be very cold during winter. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin July. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin July. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Grand Cayman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in October.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenasin October. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.