Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego. 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
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.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242San Diego $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31San Diego $23
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 San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $276
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Sedan Departure Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $104
- Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $125
- San Marcos, CA to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- One Way Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfer: $68
- San Diego Airport: One-Way Transfer to San Diego downtown: $90
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Hot Springs/Ocotillo, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $67San Diego $77
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2-Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $84
- San Diego Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $90
- Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
- Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41San Diego $48
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Gaslamp Quarter to Little Italy Tour: $39
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $28
- Old Town Walking Tour: $129
- The La Jolla Walking Tour: $119
- The Little Italy Walking Tour: $99
- 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
- 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Vanderhall GoCar: $288
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown San Diego and Old Town: $52
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: $90
- 2-Hour San Diego Pier Fishing Experience: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13San Diego $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour: $249
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego: $269
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and San Diego, we can see that Grand Cayman 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 San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than San Diego. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as San Diego. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Grand Cayman is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego 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, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than San Diego. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego 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. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.