Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Rio de Janeiro?
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 Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesGrand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $115Grand Cayman $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $115, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $242. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $64Grand Cayman $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $128Grand Cayman $298
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.65Grand Cayman $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $54
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio X Buzios : $184
- Transfer service to/from Rio and Angra dos Reis / Conceição de J.: $106
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $150
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $106
- Transfer of 4 Tickets in Rio de Janeiro: $37
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $32
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airports to Hotels and Destinations: $48
- Transfer Rio to Búzios, Arraial Do Cabo, Cabo Frio, Angra dos Reis: $150
- Transfer International Airport GIG or SDU Rio de Janeiro: $58
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $34Grand Cayman $67
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.56
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Corn on the Cob$0.75
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Hamburger$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $75
- Authentic Brazilian BBQ & Wine: A Guided Dinner Experience in Rio: $79
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- LGBTQ+ Cooking Class in Rio: Cook, Toast & Celebrate Together: $95
- Brazilian BBQ Cooking & Drinks Class + Patio Party in Copacabana: $95
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $122
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $126
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Flavors of Cooking Class and Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $21Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $180
- A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $77
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $23
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- One Day Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $165
- Samba Backstage Tour: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Carnival: $159
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $192
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $115
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Rio de Janeiro - Chartered Tour: $300
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $168
- 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $290
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $42
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Grand Cayman $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Rio Pub Crawl: Taste Caipirinhas & Local Bar Snacks: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
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 Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman, 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 Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman?
Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Grand Cayman. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in January than Grand Caymanin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Grand Caymanin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
Both Grand Cayman and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In July, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Grand Caymanin January. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 21°C (70°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Grand Caymanin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Grand Cayman. Most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Grand Caymanin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.