Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia. 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Ushuaia -
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $97
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.48
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.25
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $63
- Transfer from/to the airport: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $39Ushuaia $2.18
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Ushuaia $13
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 Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $156
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Ushuaia -
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 Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Ushuaia, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
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 Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Ushuaia?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain January. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Ushuaia. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaiain April. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ushuaia in the Winter?
Both Ushuaia 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.
Ushuaia can be very cold during winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain July. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia 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)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia 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.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Ushuaiain October. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.