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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Durham?

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 Durham. 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 Durham?

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.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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 Durham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Durham, 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 Durham?

Durham 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 Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Durham. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Durham. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Durham. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham 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 Durham for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Durham. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham 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, the winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Durham. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Durham. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Grand Cayman