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

Should you visit Piriapolis or Grand Cayman?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or Grand Cayman?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $214. 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 Piriapolis and Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    Grand Cayman $150
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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.

Hotels in Piriapolis


Hotels in Grand Cayman


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    Grand Cayman $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

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

  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
  • Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
  • George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $23
    Grand Cayman $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    Grand Cayman $41

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    Grand Cayman $13

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 Piriapolis and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Piriapolis is in South America 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 Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Grand Cayman?

Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Grand Cayman?

Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Grand Cayman. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

Piriapolis is cooler than Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in January than Grand Caymanin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Piriapolis is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Piriapolis in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. In April, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Grand Caymanin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Piriapolis 17°C (63°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

Both Grand Cayman and Piriapolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

In July, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Grand Caymanin January. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 10°C (50°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in July than Grand Caymanin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Piriapolis is much colder than Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

In October, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Grand Caymanin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)