Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Grand Cayman or Quepos?
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 Quepos. 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 Quepos?
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.
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $117. 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 Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Quepos $77
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Quepos? 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 Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Quepos $9.56
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 or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- 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
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos 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
-
Food Meals for one dayGrand Cayman $39Quepos $30
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$15
-
Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Quepos $17
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 Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
- 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Birdwatching Tour: $130
- Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116
- Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio: $60
- Chocolate and Coffee Tour Manuel Antonio: $62
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Quepos $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
-
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 Quepos, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Quepos is in Central 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 Quepos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quepos 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 Quepos.
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 Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Quepos?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Quepos, 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 Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Quepos in the Summer?
Both Quepos and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Quepos. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Quepos in the Autumn?
Both Quepos and Grand Cayman during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
Quepos 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 October as Quepos. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Quepos in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Quepos. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Grand Cayman is generally cooler than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Quepos in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Quepos. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Grand Cayman is cooler than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.