Cayman Islands Vacation Guide

Introduction

The Cayman Islands are situated in the Caribbean, 290km (180 miles) northwest of Jamaica, and comprise Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Cayman’s beaches are renowned to be among the best in the world, in particular Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The abundance of fish, marine life and spectacular coral reefs, which can be found in the surrounding waters, makes the Cayman Islands an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts. Grand Cayman is the main tourist destination and its capital, George Town, is today one of the leading commercial centres in the Caribbean region. The gingerbread-style buildings lining George Town’s harbour front are prime examples of traditional Caymanian architecture. Cayman Brac, northeast of Grand Cayman, is a much smaller island, about 19km (12 miles) long and about 1.6km (1 mile) wide. The area is riddled with caves and dozens of wrecks for divers to explore. It provided the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel "Treasure Island". 11km (7 miles) southeast of Cayman Brac, the tiny island of Little Cayman is best known as a sanctuary for wild birds and iguanas. It is also known as the world’s best location for bonefishing. The food and restaurants in the Cayman Islands are excellent, in particular the variety of local fish specialities. The Cayman Turtle Farm, one of Grand Cayman’s tourist attractions, undertakes strict conservation measures. The Cayman Islands have a fairly limited number of nightclubs, which sometimes feature international acts.

Full country name: Cayman Islands
Area: 100 sq km
Population: 39,335
Capital City: George Town
People: Mixed African and European descent
Language: English
Religion: United Church, Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic
Government: dependent territory of the United Kingdom
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -5 (Eastern Standard Time)
Dialling Code: 345
Electricity: 120V ,60Hz
Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$)

We constantly update vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for Cayman Islands and the Caribbean. You can also check out some of the best hotels and resorts in Cayman Islands with exciting attractions like golf, casino, scuba diving and other water sports. Popular hotels & resorts in Cayman Islands are Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort and The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa.

US and Canadian citizens don't need visas or passports, only proof of citizenship. Citizens of the EU, the UK or the Commonwealth, Israel and Japan need passports but not visas. Travellers from elsewhere may need visas as well as passports.
More Information About Visa Requirements

The best access to the islands is from the US, and numerous carriers fly between Grand Cayman and Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Houston, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and other US cities. Cayman Airways has a few flights between US cities and Cayman Brac. There are also flights between George Town and Jamaica on Air Jamaica. Travellers from Europe have to connect in the US. Cruise ships regularly dock at George Town on Grand Cayman and at Creek on Cayman Brac.

Grand Cayman has a public minibus service, but it's elusive; renting a car is the best way to explore the island - on the sister islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, it's virtually the only form of transport. Driving is on the left.

You can take a taxi anywhere on Grand Cayman, though availability drops off the farther you get from George Town. Taxis are not available on Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. You can take a ferry between North Sound and Rum Point on Grand Cayman, which takes about 40 minutes each way. Short of chartering a private boat, the only way to get from Grand Cayman to the sister islands is by air.

Given that mid-December to mid-April (winter) is the peak tourist season, when rates are substantially higher and beaches and lodgings more crowded, it's best to go in the summer. There is more rain in summer, but it tends to come in downpours that clear as quickly as they arrive. Nervous Nellies will tell you that this is hurricane season, but the chances that you'll get swept up in the big one are slim. Even so, it's best to keep an eye on the weather reports in the days before your arrival.

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman Island truly is one of the most beautiful beaches. Swimming pool-like water reflects a light turqoise tint and meets the pure fine white sand. It is this beach that draw all back to Grand Cayman Island.

The National Trust has produced self-guided walking tour booklets for George Town and Central West Bay, easing your passage to the past with explanation and anecdote. Most of the islands' hiking trails are flat, but you could try speed-walking the 140ft (45m) bluff at the eastern end of Cayman Brac if you're desperate for a workout. The Botanic Gardens on Grand Cayman have a carefully laid-out educational trail through acres of orchids and flowering fruit trees. Cayman Brac also has great caving, especially in the recesses of the bluff, where (as local legend has it) you might find pirate treasure - or a rusty bottle cap or two.

Many private operators will happily take you fishing. Though no license is required for deep-sea fishing, regulations require the angler to keep only that which can be consumed (some restaurants will cook your catch for you). Tarpon and bonefish are for sport only - all must be released.

The province is famous for its surreal and beautiful limestone pincushion hills. The area is riddled with caves carved by underground rivers, some of which make for great diving. If you'd rather scuba through saltwater, María la Gorda boasts some of the finest underwater scenery in the Caribbean.

More attractions in the Caribbean