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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Palm Springs?

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 Palm Springs. 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 Palm Springs?

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.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.

It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.

Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Palm Springs $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs


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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Palm Springs $52

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

  • Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA : $173
  • Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $214
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $201
  • Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $201

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Palm Springs?

Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs $92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.

  • Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Stephen: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Palm Springs $29

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

Tours and Activities in Palm Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:

  • Palm Springs Windmill Guided Tour by Golf Cart: $55
  • 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $45
  • 100+ Self-Guided Audio Tours: Driving & Walking Bundle: $100
  • All-In-One California Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle Tour: $50
  • Bombay Beach Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain Guided Art Tour: $225
  • Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
  • Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Drag Queen Hosted Mobile Theater Palm Springs Sightseeing Tours: $125
  • Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $149
  • Food Adventure Game: $99
  • French Bicycle Tour of Palm Springs: $152
  • Golf Cart Tour in a 6 Passenger Cart in Palm Springs California: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Palm Springs $13
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


When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?

Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Palm Springs. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

Both Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Palm Springs in the Winter?

Both Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Palm Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Palm Springs. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Palm Springs in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Palm Springs
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 58°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 59°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 69°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 74°F (24°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 73°F (23°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 69°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 57°F (14°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)