Which place is cheaper, Whistler 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 Whistler?
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 Whistler. 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 Whistler?
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.
Whistler
Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesWhistler Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Whistler $146
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $146. 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 Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Whistler? 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 Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Whistler $20
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 Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Vancouver Airport Private Transfer to Whistler: $133
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $560
- Private Transfer from Richmond BC to Whistler: $684
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler 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 $67Whistler $52
Typical Food Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:
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Coffee at Starbucks$12
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Tim Hortons Breakfast$12
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Coffee at Timmy's$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whistler
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Whistler.
- Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner Tour in Whistler: $121
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Whistler $78
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:
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Driving Range$15
Tours and Activities in Whistler
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:
- 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $124
- 2 Hour Wilderness Adventure Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $17
- Bear Safari 4x4 Adventure: $147
- Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $162
- Family Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- From Vancouver: Shannon Falls and Whistler Sightseeing Tour: $179
- Full Day Ice Fishing Tour: $246
- Guided Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Mountain Breeze Tour - Mountain E Bike - Whistler Marmot Activity: $104
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Whistler $8.72
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Whistler, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Whistler 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 Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler 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 Whistler.
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 Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Whistler?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Whistler, 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 Whistler?
Whistler 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 Whistler in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Whistler. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Whistler for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Whistler because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Whistler. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler 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. Furthermore, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.
It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Whistler. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Whistler for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Whistler. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
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.