Which place is cheaper, Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
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 Gainesville. 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 Gainesville?
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.
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesGainesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Gainesville $267
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $267. 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 Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Gainesville $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Gainesville $230
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Gainesville? 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 Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Gainesville $39
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 Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville 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 $67Gainesville $121
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Gainesville $43
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 Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Gainesville $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 Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Gainesville?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Gainesville. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).
It's quite rainy in Gainesville. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gainesville. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gainesville in the Autumn?
Both Gainesville 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 autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gainesville in the Winter?
Both Gainesville 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gainesville in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gainesville. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 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.