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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Big Pine Key?

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 Big Pine Key. 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 Big Pine Key?

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.

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Big Pine Key, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Big Pine Key is in North America, 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 Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.

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 Big Pine Key Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Big Pine Key?

Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Big Pine Key, 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 Big Pine Key?

Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key in the Summer?

Both Big Pine Key and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Big Pine Key in the Autumn?

Both Big Pine Key and Grand Cayman during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Big Pine Key. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Big Pine Key in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Big Pine Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

In the winter, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Big Pine Key. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Big Pine Key averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Big Pine Key in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Big Pine Key. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Big Pine Key. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Pine Key and Grand Cayman