Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Grand Cayman can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Grand Cayman?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Grand Cayman $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Grand Cayman $150
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Grand Cayman $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $181
- Tulum to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $121
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $113
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- 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: $106
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Grand Cayman $39
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $90
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class and Cenote: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Full Day Tour from Tulum to Rio Lagartos: $179
- Luxury Tour to Chichen Itza and 2 Cenotes Only From Tulum: $128
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- Sian Ka'an Boat Tour: Full Day Experience: $179
- 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 4x1 Mayan Experience! Tulum Ruins, Coba, Cenote + Transportation from Tulum City: $78
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $105
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 dayTulum $25Grand Cayman $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
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 Tulum and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Grand Cayman?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Grand Cayman?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 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 JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Grand Cayman. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the winter, Tulum is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Grand Cayman. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
Both Grand Cayman and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Tulum
| Tulum | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.