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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Jacksonville?

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 Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville?

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.

Jacksonville

As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.


Which place is cheaper, Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville is $289. 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 Jacksonville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Jacksonville $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Jacksonville $184
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Jacksonville

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Jacksonville? 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 Jacksonville


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 Jacksonville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Jacksonville $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $103

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville

Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Cruise Port Jacksonville: $108
  • Private Transfer from Carnival Port to Jacksonville Airport (JAX): $108
  • Private Transfer from Carnival Cruise Port to Jacksonville City: $108
  • Private Transfer Jacksonville Airport to Downtown Savannah Hotels: $300
  • Private Transfer Jacksonville Airport to Carnival Cruise Port: $135
  • Private Transfer JAX Airport to Ritz Carlton Amelia Island: $135
  • Miami: One Way To/From Airport Transfer: $78
  • Luxury Car Transfer Jacksonville Airport to Ponte Vedra Resorts: $145
  • Luxury Car Transfer JAX Airport to Margaritaville Beach Hotel: $155
  • Jacksonville to Carnival Cruise Port Jacksonville - Departure Private Transfer: $159
  • Jacksonville Airport Private Lux Car Transfer to Downtown Hotels: $139
  • Jacksonville Airport Limo Transfer to Hammock Beach Golf Resort: $275

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Jacksonville?

Prices for flights to both Jacksonville 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
    Jacksonville $166

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville

For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1 Hour of Chocolate Pizza Making Class in Jacksonville: $20
  • San Marco Food Tour Culinary Journey in Jacksonville: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Jacksonville $20

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69
  • 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
  • 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
  • Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $79
  • Cayman 2 in 1 Combo Tour Stingray City Reef Snorkel Adventure: $77
  • Cayman 3 in 1 Combo Adventure Stingray City Reef Snorkeling: $104
  • Cayman Adventure Stingrays Starfish plus Crystal Caves : $89
  • Cayman Bioluminescent Bay Night Tour: $144
  • Cayman Combo Tour: Starfish Point, Stingray City & Coral Gardens: $119
  • Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman: $143
  • Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
  • CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13

Tours and Activities in Jacksonville

For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 20 Minutes Chocolate & Candy Factory Tour in Jacksonville: $8.00
  • 90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure: $145
  • All-Inclusive Progressive Culinary & History Experience: $125
  • Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek: $36
  • Amelia Island Floating Tiki Boat Cruise with BYOB Option: $75
  • Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $65
  • Architecture and History Tour in San Marco: $96
  • Avondale Brunch Tour (Jacksonville): $135
  • Big Talbot Island Self Guided Tour with Smart Helmets: $115
  • Bike Ride Through Ponte Vedra Beach Private Tour Florida: $27
  • CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach: $145
  • Daytona Beach: 3 Hour Coastal Discovery Boat Cruise: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Jacksonville $20
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 Jacksonville

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:

  • All-Inclusive Sips & Ships: Downtown Pub Crawl: $75
  • Jax Brewery Tour (Drinks Included): $135


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Jacksonville, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville?

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville in the Summer?

Both Jacksonville and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

Both Jacksonville and Grand Cayman during the autumn 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 travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Jacksonville averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Jacksonville. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Jacksonville 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Jacksonville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Jacksonville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Jacksonville 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Jacksonville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Jacksonville. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Jacksonville. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Jacksonville 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Jacksonville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)