A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand Cayman vs. San Pedro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand Cayman or San Pedro?

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 Pedro. 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 Pedro?

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 Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro or Grand Cayman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or San Pedro? 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.

Hotels in Grand Cayman


Hotels in San Pedro


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    San Pedro $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 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
  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
  • George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 day
    Grand Cayman $39
    San Pedro $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    San Pedro $33

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 San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • The best of San Pedro Town walking tour: $202
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • 5-Hour Guided Jetboat Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize.: $200
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye: $250
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye: $250
  • Double Activity Limo Tour: Xunantunich Ruins & Cave Tubing Adventure: $220
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    San Pedro $16
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 San Pedro, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and San Pedro 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 San Pedro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro 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 San Pedro.

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 Pedro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or San Pedro?

Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and San Pedro, 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 Pedro?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Pedro in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as San Pedro. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in July than San Pedro. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as San Pedro. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Pedro in the Autumn?

Both San Pedro and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Pedro. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Pedro in the Winter?

Both San Pedro and Grand Cayman during the winter 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 Pedro year-round.

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than San Pedro. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Pedro in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and San Pedro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than San Pedro. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as San Pedro. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Pedro and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman San Pedro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)