Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Grand Cayman?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Grand Cayman €200
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, 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 Riga and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Grand Cayman €139
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Grand Cayman €278
Compare Hotels in Riga and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Grand Cayman €29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $269
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $139
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $132
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $53
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $53
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $490
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 Riga or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Grand Cayman €36
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Grand Cayman €38
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $241
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $65
- Baltic Treasures Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale & Bauska: $153
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $182
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $22
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 dayRiga €20Grand Cayman €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
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 Riga and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga 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 Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Grand Cayman?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Grand Cayman?
Riga 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 Riga or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the summer, Riga is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 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 JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Riga or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Grand Cayman. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Grand Cayman. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Grand Cayman. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Riga or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
Both Grand Cayman and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city 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, Riga is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 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 AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Riga
| Riga | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.