Cayman Islands travel guide
Cayman Islands Tourism | Cayman Islands Guide
You're Going to Love Cayman Islands
The three Caribbean islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac offer visitors sandy white beaches and azure seas along with the opportunity to go walking in natural woodlands or diving among coral and marine wildlife.
What to do in the Cayman Islands
1. Go Diving
Choose to visit one of the wrecks off the coast of Cayman Islands, such as the Kittiwake off Grand Cayman or the wreck of Captain Keith Tibbetts. Both provide great dive sites teeming with coral and marine life.
2. Relax on the Beach
Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of white sandy beaches with azure seas, provides visitors with a variety of activities, such as snorkeling, relaxing on the coral sand and going stand-up paddle boarding on the calm waters.
3. Discover the Mangroves
Go for a hike on the Mastic Trail, a 2.3 mi pathway that winds through an area of woodland and mangrove swamp, and you can experience some of the island's natural plant life.
4. Visit the National Museum
When you are in George Town, stop in at the National Museum, which will give you an idea of the history of the islands and the way of life through the years. The museum is housed in one of the few 19th-century buildings that has survived through many hurricanes.
5. Take a Trip to Cayman Brac
One of the sister islands to Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac has a range of activities from exploring the caves on the island to diving at Anchor Wall and walking through the woodland of the Parrott Preserve.
When to visit the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands has a warm tropical climate with temperatures of 91°F at the height of summer. December to April is the best time to visit when it is drier and temperatures are cooler, ranging from around 72-80°F.
How to Get to the Cayman Islands
Entry requirements
Travelers from Canada, USA, UK, Australia and European Union will need to have a passport that is valid for the duration of stay and will not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Plane
Owen Roberts Airport receives flights operated by Cayman Airways, the national carrier, as well as regular international flights operated by airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Budget carriers include JetBlue Airways and WestJet.
Boat
While there is no ferry operating on Grand Cayman, it is a popular port of call for cruise line operators, such as Royal Caribbean.
Popular airports in the Cayman Islands
Popular airlines serving the Cayman Islands
Where to stay in the Cayman Islands
There are several beach resorts in the Cayman Islands - both luxury and more mid-range – in addition to slightly smaller boutique resorts. There are not as many guesthouses or independent hotels to choose from. Many visitors stay in self-catering villas and condos and buy groceries at the supermarket.
Where to stay in popular areas of the Cayman Islands
How to Get Around the Cayman Islands
Public Transportation
There is a public bus service that has routes starting in George Town and transports passengers to bars, restaurants and resorts along the Seven Mile Strip from the city. Otherwise, taxis and cars are the main mode of transport in the towns on the island.
Bus
The public bus service on Grand Cayman has routes that all run from the bus depot in George Town. Bus fares range between about 2-3.50 KYD (2.40-4.20 USD) depending on route.
Car
Major car rental companies, such as Budget and Hertz, as well as local companies, have offices in Cayman Islands and this is often the most flexible way to travel around.
Plane
There is an internal flight network that links Grand Cayman with Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, the sister islands. The service is operated by Cayman Airways Express and the journey from Grand Cayman is about 30m.
The Cost of Living in the Cayman Islands
Cost of living is relatively expensive on Cayman Islands as everything must be imported. Credit cards are accepted and ATMs are spread throughout the islands. For grocery shopping, you could pay around 15.40 KYD (18.50 USD) for a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. Eating out may be cheaper than buying groceries and will cost around 15 KYD (18 USD) for a meal per person in a local, inexpensive restaurant. US dollars are widely accepted as a form of currency, although only in note form, and change will be given in the local currency.