Which place is cheaper, Destin 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 Destin?
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 Destin. 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 Destin?
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.
Destin
An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesDestin Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Destin $229
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Destin is $229. 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 Destin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Destin $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Destin $222
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Destin
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Destin? 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 Destin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Destin $50
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 Destin?
Prices for flights to both Destin 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 $67Destin $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Destin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Destin.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise with Sunset Views: $125
- 3 Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $128
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Destin $17
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Destin
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Destin are as follows:
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1 Day Rental Umbrella and Chairs$40
Tours and Activities in Destin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Destin are as follows:
- Dolphin Cruise in Destin FL : $37
- 10-Hour Deep Sea Fishing Adventure: $224
- 2-Stop Snorkeling and Dolphin Cruise from Destin: $50
- 3 Hour Crab Island Sandbar Cruise : $89
- 3 Hour Crab Island and Harbor Tour from Destin Non-Private: $70
- 3 hour Crab Island Adventure with Cruise Destin Bay: $75
- 5-Hour Deep Sea Family Fishing Adventure: $112
- Buccaneer Pirate Cruise in Destin: $55
- Clear Kayak Glow Tour Destin Ft. Walton Beach: $80
- Crab Island Boat Tour – Half Day in Destin: $69
- Crab Island Dolphin & Sunset Cruise – 3-Hour Tour: $65
- Crab Island Dolphin Jet Ski Adventure : $227
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Destin $49
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
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Destin, 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 Destin 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 Destin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Destin?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Destin, 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 Destin?
Destin 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 Destin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Destin. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Destin in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Destin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Destin averages at about 82°F (28°C).
It's quite rainy in Destin. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Destin. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Destin receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Destin 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Destin in the Autumn?
Both Destin 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, most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Destin. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Destin fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Destin. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Destin receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Destin 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Destin in the Winter?
Both Destin 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 winter months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Destin in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Destin fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Destin. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Destin receives 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Destin 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Destin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Destin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Destin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Destin averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Destin. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Destin receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Destin 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Destin and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Destin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (189 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (188 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 inches (109 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.