Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Grand Cayman, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Grand Cayman?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesGrand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Grand Cayman $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $242. 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 Kingston and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Grand Cayman $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Grand Cayman $298
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Grand Cayman? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Grand Cayman $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Port to Kingston Airport (KIN): $254
- Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $190
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Arrivals or Departures Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Kingston : $134
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to West Bay Accommodations (GCM - Grand Cayman): $80
- Airport Transfers to East End Accommodations - Round Trip: $209
- Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to George Town - Round-Trip Transfer: $292
- Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town-Arrival Private Transfer: $145
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Kingston 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 dayKingston $45Grand Cayman $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Kingston: $282
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour : $130
- Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $190
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $976
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Admission & Kingston Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $258
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
- Skip the Line: Pedro St. James Castle Guided Tour Ticket: $25
- FUN family tour StingrayCity Sandbar,Coral Garden Starfish Beach : $55
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $59
- Oculus Glass Bottom Boat Tour : $60
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $65
- Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $75
- Starfish Point, Stingray City & Coral Garden (3-STOP Adventure): $75
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $79
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Grand Cayman $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
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$4.96
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 Kingston and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Grand Cayman?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Grand Cayman, 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 Kingston or Grand Cayman?
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 Kingston or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Grand Cayman. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Kingston is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
Both Grand Cayman and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Grand Cayman. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Grand Cayman. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Kingston
| Kingston | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.