Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Grand Cayman $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, 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 Playa del Carmen and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Grand Cayman $150
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Grand Cayman $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Transfers in Lincoln StretchLimo from Puerto Aventuras-Cun Airport.: $194
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $173
- Private Transfer: Akumal to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $109
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
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 Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Grand Cayman $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $114
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $139
- ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour from Playa del Carmen: $80
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $133
- ATV Shared, Cavern & Ziplines -Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $158
- ATV Xtreme & Snorkel Experience: $138
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Grand Cayman $13
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 Playa del Carmen and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Grand Cayman. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 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 JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
Both Grand Cayman and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In January, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Grand Cayman. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.