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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Nags Head?

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 Nags Head. 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 Nags Head?

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.

Nags Head

Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Nags Head 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 Nags Head is $179. 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 Nags Head in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Nags Head $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Nags Head

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Nags Head? 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 Nags Head


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 Nags Head Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Nags Head $40

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Nags Head?

Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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
    Nags Head $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Nags Head $14

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 Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
  • OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
  • Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Nags Head $12
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 Nags Head

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:

  • Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109


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

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 Nags Head Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Nags Head?

Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?

Nags Head 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 Nags Head in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Nags Head. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Nags Head. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Nags Head averages at about 78°F (26°C).

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Nags Head. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Nags Head in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Nags Head. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Nags Head in the Winter?

Both Nags Head and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.

Nags Head can be very cold during winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Nags Head in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Nags Head fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Nags Head in the Spring?

Both Nags Head and Grand Cayman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Nags Head averages at about 59°F (15°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Nags Head. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Nags Head and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Nags Head
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)