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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach?

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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $148. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Virginia Beach $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Virginia Beach

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach


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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Virginia Beach $39

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach?

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
    Virginia Beach $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Virginia Beach $21

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 Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $32
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $24
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $63
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour: This is a Workout!: $90
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $64

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Virginia Beach $11
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Virginia Beach, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Virginia Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Virginia Beach. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach 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, the cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach 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, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Virginia Beach. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Virginia Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)