Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Berkeley?
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 Grand Cayman and Berkeley. 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: Grand Cayman or Berkeley?
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.
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesBerkeley Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Berkeley $217
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $217. 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 Grand Cayman and Berkeley in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Berkeley $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Berkeley $262
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Berkeley
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Berkeley? 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Berkeley $30
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: $103
- Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:
- Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Berkeley?
Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Grand Cayman 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 dayGrand Cayman $67Berkeley $63
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
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Chocolates at Sweet Dreams$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
- Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $137
- Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Berkeley $30
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
- 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
- Grand Cayman Hop On Hop Off Island Adventure: $40
- Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour Starfish Point Adventure: $53
- Stingray City, Snorkeling, & StarFish Adventure: $55
- Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $55
- Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $65
- 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
- Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
- StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69
Tours and Activities in Berkeley
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
- Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $100
- Experience Create your own jewelry workshop for beginners: $95
- Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
- Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $126
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Berkeley $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$4.95
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
- Cayman Art and Wine Tour: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:
- Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
- Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Berkeley, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Berkeley is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is Berkeley Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Berkeley?
Berkeley has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Berkeley, 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 Grand Cayman or Berkeley?
Berkeley 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 Grand Cayman or Berkeley in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Berkeley. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Berkeley 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Berkeley in the Autumn?
Both Berkeley and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Berkeley 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Berkeley in the Winter?
Both Berkeley and Grand Cayman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.
In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Berkeley 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Berkeley in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Berkeley. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the natural beauty.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Berkeley 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Berkeley and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Berkeley | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
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.