Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Grand Cayman?
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 Malaga and Grand Cayman. 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: Malaga or Grand Cayman?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Grand Cayman €200
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is €200. 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 Malaga and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Grand Cayman €139
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Grand Cayman €278
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Grand Cayman €29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Nerja: $131
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $55
- Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $164
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
- Private transfer from Malaga airport to hotels on the Costa del Sol: $109
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from/to Motril to/from Malaga with private driver: $159
- Private Transfer from airport to Malaga : $69
- Private Transfer from Torrequebrada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torrenueva (Mijas) to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $54
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $54
- 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: $108
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Grand Cayman €36
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Grand Cayman €38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $153
- Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $240
- Ronda group walking Tour: $27
- Sealife Benalmadena Entrance Ticket: $21
- Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
- 1 Hour Malaga Panoramic Segway Tour : $38
- 1 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $98
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
- 2 Hour Buggy Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $142
- 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $164
- 2 Hours Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $126
- 2-Hour French Guided Walking Tour in Malaga: $20
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
- Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
- Stingraycity Adventure: $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
- 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Grand Cayman €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
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€4.63
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 Malaga and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Malaga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Malaga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malaga 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 Malaga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Grand Cayman?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Grand Cayman?
Malaga 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 Malaga or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the summer, Malaga is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Grand Cayman. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Malaga is generally cooler than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Malaga is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Grand Cayman. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
Both Grand Cayman and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Malaga is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Malaga
| Malaga | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.