Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Valdivia?
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 Valdivia. 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 Valdivia?
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.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Valdivia $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Valdivia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Valdivia $8.08
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 Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $39Valdivia $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Valdivia $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 Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Private City Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Valdivia $4.79
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Valdivia, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.
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 Valdivia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Valdivia?
Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?
Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Valdivia averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Valdiviain January. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Valdivia 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Valdivia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Valdivia. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Valdiviain April. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Valdivia. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Valdiviain April. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Valdivia in the Winter?
Both Valdivia 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.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Valdivia in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Valdivia fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Valdiviain July. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Valdivia 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Valdivia in the Spring?
Both Valdivia 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 Valdivia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Valdivia averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.
Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Valdiviain October. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Valdivia and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Valdivia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.