Which place is cheaper, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.
Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.
If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.
If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesCarmel-by-the-Sea Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $0.00. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Carmel-by-the-Sea
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Carmel-by-the-Sea $125
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Prices for flights to both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 $67Carmel-by-the-Sea $264
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Old Monterey Walking Food Tour: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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
- 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
- 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
- Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
- StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69
- Stingrays and Starfish Point Tour: $70
- Small Group 7 Mile Beach Stingray City and Coral Gardens Tour: $70
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $75
Tours and Activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Carmel-by-the-Sea are as follows:
- 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: $15
- 2-Hour Monterey and Pacific Grove GoCar Tour: $169
- 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Monterey: $75
- 4 Hour Whale Watching Tour From Monterey: $85
- Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour: $149
- Carmel Tour in The Heavenly 17 Mile Drive: $30
- Carmel Walk Guided Tour Carmel by the Sea: $40
- Carmel on Foot Audio Tour: Courtyards, Artists & Ocean Views: $9.99
- Carmel-By-The-Sea Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
- Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Wine Tasting Tours in a Vintage VW Bus: $139
- Carmel Valley Village: Wine Tasting Tours in a 1970 VW bus.: $139
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package: $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.
In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Carmel-by-the-Sea | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.