Which place is cheaper, Saint Augustine or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine?
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 Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine?
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.
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Saint Augustine $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $159. 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 Saint Augustine in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Saint Augustine $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Saint Augustine
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine? 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 Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Saint Augustine $39
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 Saint Augustine?
Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine 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 $39Saint Augustine $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Saint Augustine $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 Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arcimoto Electric Vehicle Adventure Rental in St. Augustine: $96
- 1-Hour Your Studiyo Admission Ticket: $34
- : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $20
- Adventure Boat Tours - Ghost Boat - Boo Cruise: $40
- Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $38
- Adventure Meets History Tour in St Augustine: $89
- Afterlife Tours- Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
- Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Bay to City Nights of Lights Tour by Boat and Cart: $150
- Best of St. Augustine with Scenic Cruise: $193
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Saint Augustine $25
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $24
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour: $39
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Saint Augustine, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.
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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?
Both Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).
Saint Augustine 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 more rain in July than Saint Augustine. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Saint Augustine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Saint Augustine. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Saint Augustine. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Augustine in the Spring?
Both Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Saint Augustine | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.