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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Clearwater?

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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater?

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.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Clearwater 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Clearwater is $343. 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 Clearwater in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Clearwater $141
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Clearwater $282
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Clearwater

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Clearwater? 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.

Hotels in Grand Cayman


Hotels in Clearwater


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 Clearwater Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Clearwater $221

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 Clearwater

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:

  • Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Clearwater?

Prices for flights to both Clearwater 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Grand Cayman $67
    Clearwater $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Clearwater

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Clearwater.

  • Clearwater Beach Fun and Tropical Food Tour: $99
  • Clearwater Beach: Tropical Delights Walking Food Tour: $106
  • Taste of Downtown St Petersburg-A Walking/Food Tour: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Clearwater -

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 Clearwater

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:

  • Clearwater Beach Yoga Experience : $35
  • Safety Harbor Ghost & History Tour by Silent Slayer Ghost Tours: $40
  • !! Flippers Fun Boat !! Dolphin Adventure Clearwater Beach!: $32
  • 1,5h Tiki Tour with Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks, Clearwater Beach: $50
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour around Clearwater Beach: $79
  • 2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida: $35
  • 2 Hour Tarpon Springs Sunset and Night Guided Kayak Tour: $49
  • 2 Hours Kayak Eco Tour in Tarpon Springs: $54
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg: $67
  • 2.5 Hour Kayaking with Manatee and History Tour in Tarpon Springs: $68
  • 2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells: $59
  • 3 hour - Two Island Sandbar Tiki Adventure: $595

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Clearwater -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:


  • 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 Clearwater

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:

  • Saint Petersburg Bar Crawl: $15
  • St Petersburg Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $25
  • The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Clearwater 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 Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Grand Cayman.

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 Clearwater Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Clearwater?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Clearwater, 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 Clearwater?

Clearwater 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 Clearwater in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Clearwater. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.

In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Clearwater. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Clearwater averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Clearwater. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in July than Clearwater. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Clearwater 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Clearwater in the Autumn?

Both Clearwater 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, many travelers come to Clearwater for the shopping scene.

In October, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Clearwater fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Clearwater 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Clearwater in the Winter?

Both Clearwater 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, many visitors come to Clearwater in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Clearwater in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Clearwater fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Clearwater. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Clearwater 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Clearwater in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Clearwater. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Clearwater. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Clearwater averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Clearwater. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Clearwater 71°F (22°C)

Typical Weather for Clearwater and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Clearwater
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)