Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or San Juan?
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 San Juan. 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 San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31San Juan $14
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 San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $270
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $270
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $39San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41San Juan $49
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National Forest and Luquillo Beach Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13San Juan $12
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 San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and San Juan, we can see that Grand Cayman 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
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 San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than San Juan. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as San Juan. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than San Juan. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan 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. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.