13 Clever Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman For The First Time!
Headed to Grand Cayman? We asked our friend Hege from The World by Hege to share things to know before you go to Grand Cayman to avoid rookie mistakes.
Grand Cayman is the largest of three paradisiacal palm-strewn islands that make up the Caymans Islands, tucked right in the middle of the Caribbean Sea between Cuba, Jamaica, and Mexico.
The capital George Town is on Grand Cayman, the largest by population in the western Caribbean Sea.
Apart from being an infinite tropical beach heaven, there are lots of things to do, and a handful of smart things to know before you go to Grand Cayman for the first time!
The other two smaller islands that composite the Caymans, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, both are short flights away if you want to do some Caribbean island hopping!
Grand Caymans’ stunning natural beauty with its pristine white sand beaches, lush green vegetation, and crystal-clear waters make it a tropical paradise for anyone looking to relax and enjoy the sun and surf.
What could you possibly need to prepare?
Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
13 Clever Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
Before visiting Grand Cayman, there are some island-specific things you probably want to know before you get there, such as the Cayman Islands have the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, are one of the safest island nations, and don’t just attract holidaymakers.
People from over 130 countries now reside in the Cayman Islands, which is also a major world center for businesses and wealthy people.
What that means for you as a traveler, is that the cost of living in the Caymans is a bit higher than many other Caribbean islands, so do your research when planning your Grand Cayman budget.
Here are 13 other things to know before you go to Grand Cayman I want to share with you after my own recent visit!
1. The best place to stay is in the western part of the island.
You probably will be the happiest traveler staying in the western part of Grand Cayman Island. This area is home to the stunning Seven Mile Beach, a popular hangout for both tourists and locals.
This amazing beach runs along the whole western coast of the island and is one of the best places for an array of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and boat trips.
Plus, this area has plenty of hotels and resorts to basque in for a few days if you want a more luxurious experience.
The western part of Grand Cayman is also where you find Camana Bay, with a vibrant shopping area and a variety of restaurants for a relaxed lunch or a gourmet dinner.
2. Sundays are still for resting on Grand Cayman so shops are closed.
Grocery stores and shops in Grand Cayman are closed on Sundays. They take the sabbath seriously here. Only hotels, restaurants, and some gas stations stay open.
Make sure to stock up on groceries or whatever you need beforehand to get through your Sunday!
Also, no live music or dancing is permitted on Sundays, so it’s best to plan your Grand Cayman party days around Sunday.
3. There is no large pier for cruise ships to dock on Grand Cayman outside George Town.
Unlike on many other Caribbean islands, there is no large cruise ship terminal for docking on Grand Cayman.
If you are on a cruise stopping at Grand Cayman, make sure you plan for any activities onshore in accordance with transport to and from your ship!
Also, double-check that you are on the last boat out before the captain hoists his anchor to move on!
4. Expectations to visit Grand Cayman on a budget.
If you’re looking to explore Grand Cayman on a budget, you need to know things tend to be on the pricier side. For hotels and accommodation, you are looking at at least $200 a night, down to $150 on Airbnb or VRBO.
My three best tips to stretch your travel budget in Grand Cayman are 1. use public transport (cheap), 2. eat at local restaurants (you easily find great ones along West Bay Road), and 3. share accommodations in twin beds or family rooms if you have several travelers.
5. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is the dry season.
The best time to visit Grand Cayman is typically in the winter months as the weather is generally sunny and dry. Although temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year you might need a light jacket at night around New Year, as evenings can get chilly!
Summer is sizzling hot, but if you can deal with a bit of wet-season afternoon showers, the spring and autumn temperatures are lovely! And although hurricanes are rare on Grand Cayman, you might try to avoid the hurricane season which runs from June through November.
From a price point of view, the best time to visit Grand Cayman is between March and June when the hotel rates drop!
Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
6. They drive on the left in Grand Cayman.
If you are planning on renting a car, be aware that you need to drive on the left side of the road in Grand Cayman. As the Cayman Islands are a British overseas colony, a part of the British West Indies, they drive on the left-hand side of the road just like they do in the U.K.
It is not too difficult, and if you feel like a confident driver you will not have any problems adjusting to the light Grand Cayman traffic. It is nice to know, as you don’t want to find out the hard way!
🚗 When booking your Grand Cayman car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals on the Grand Cayman Islands!
7. Grand Cayman is a seafood mecca
Basking in seafood is a must-do in Grand Cayman, and there are plenty of amazing places to go and delicious dishes to try such as tuna steak, conch salad, or jerk chicken!
Camana Bay at night is a great spot for dinner with its variety of restaurants and bars. Best dining tips; try the tuna steak at Agua in Camana Bay. Combined with the amazing sunset views, it is unbeatable!
8. Mudslide Cocktail is a Cayman invention.
According to Carol Boulton, the food and beverage manager for Rum Point Club, the Mudslide was created in the 1970s at the club’s Wreck Bar.
The drink was accidentally invented because a guest asked for a White Russian made with vodka, Kahlua, and cream, and the bartender didn’t have fresh cream on hand. Instead, they used Bailey’s Irish Cream as a substitute, and voila!
9. Stingray City probably is a lot more fun than you think!
As a seasoned scuba diver, I have passed a stingray or two in the wild a few times, and it is always an amazing sight.
But actually standing in the shallow waters out on the Stingray City sandbank surrounded by them was a totally different experience!
This tour is a lot more rewarding than you might think, and carefully interacting with the stingrays flocking to the sandbank when the boats are there, is quite a unique experience. I absolutely recommend it, quite simply!
10. Public transport is quite easy on Grand Cayman.
The bus on Grand Cayman is actually small minibusses that run up and down the coast, and you can just hail them anywhere as there are no dedicated stops.
The fare is just $2.50 to ride the bus to popular spots, like Rum Point, Cayman Turtle Centre, and Hell.
The buses are clearly marked bus (to distinguish them from taxis), and you just need to flag one down and it’ll stop and take you on board!
11. Book your tours when the cruise passengers have left.
It is smart to book your tours when the cruise passengers are called back to the mothership (unless you are one of the cruise passengers of course).
When the large groups from the cruisers have gone back to their sun deck, the amazing sights in Grand Cayman are almost deserted, and up for grabs for curious travelers!
12. Taxis in Grand Cayman are convenient but expensive.
Taxis are the easiest way to get around Grand Cayman (there is no Uber), but it’s important to be aware that taxi rates can be quite expensive.
If you are traveling on a budget, consider renting a car for parts of your holiday, or get to know the public transport system and use that for what it is worth!
13. Two currencies are used interchangeably in Grand Cayman.
The official currency on the Caymans is the Cayman Island dollar (CI$), but you can use US dollars interchangeably. The CI$ is fixed to the US dollar at $1.25 US Dollars to $1.00 Cayman Islands Dollar, so if you pay with the local currency the US price will come out a bit higher.
While credit cards are accepted at many locations around the island, it’s also smart to bring some cash around for the local spots that do not.
Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
FAQs: Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
Do you need a passport to visit Grand Cayman?
Yes, adults and children will need a passport to enter Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is an independent colony and is a self-governing British Overseas Territory.
Is Grand Cayman safe?
Grand Cayman is one of the safest islands in the region, with very low crime rates.
What is the daily cost of Grand Cayman?
You should plan to spend around $260 per day on your vacation in the Cayman Islands, which is a statistical average.
Accommodation will be $200-250 (1-2 people), and you may influence the daily cost of meals, transport, and activities with your other holiday choices.
What language do they speak in Grand Cayman?
The official language is English. However, you may notice some Spanish and Creole spoken by the locals as it was a port in the trade between the old and new world centuries ago!
Do I need health travel insurance?
The requirement for medical travel insurance for the Cayman Islands ended in August 2022, but you are still recommended to have coverage for emergency medical issues during travel.
Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
Final Thoughts: Things To Know Before You Go To Grand Cayman
Hopefully, you now have some super handy information about traveling to Grand Cayman you did not know a few minutes ago.
So from here, go ahead, happy planning! Make the most out of your Grand Cayman holiday – I am sure it will be awesome!
Check out these packing essentials to make the most of your Grand Cayman trip!
To hear more from Hege, check out her interview below!
About the Author: Hege Jacobsen is a former military officer who is now the founder of The World By Hege, a niche travel blog about Cuba & Caribbean travel. In addition to traveling, Hege loves scuba diving, dancing, and amazing food & wine on her journeys!
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My Favorite Travel Tips + Resources
Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! For more information, check out my travel resources page.
- Booking flights: I use Google Flights to check all routes and find the best flights. Then I compare Skyscanner (for the lowest prices) before I book.
- Accommodations: I love budget-friendly rentals or booking at a hotel where I can earn points.
- For hotels, I go through Booking.com or book directly with Marriott (for points + rewards).
- When I travel internationally, I’ll book through Hostelworld for very budget-friendly stays.
- For vacation rentals, use Vrbo or Marriott Homes & Villas.
- Expedia also has some great bundles for hotels, flights, and car rentals altogether.
- Transportation: Transportation covers car rentals, trains, and buses. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Car Rentals: I love renting cars through Discover Cars. They have been consistent and provide the best customer service.
- Trains in Asia: Trip.com has the best options!
- Trains in Europe: Trainline or Omio.
- Visa Application: For a hassle-free process, apply for your visa from iVisa.
- Travel Credit Card: I book all my travel (flights, hotels, car rentals) through Chase Sapphire.
- Vaccines and Medications: Check the CDC website for updates on necessary vaccines to enter a country, including updates on Covid-19 and recommended places to visit. I recommend getting all the vaccines you need before you go!
- Tours + Experiences: I absolutely love my tours! Everything from eerie walking ghost tours to food tours, I’ll usually book something every trip either through Viator or GetYourGuide.
- Entertainment: Looking for entertainment like sporting events, theater shows, or concerts? Book with Ticket Squeeze!
- Tech: Keep your internet browsing safe, secure, and fast with ExpressVPN
- Language Learning: The best place to learn a new language is through Babbel as you travel to countries you don’t know the language.
- What to Pack: I almost always travel by backpack. For products I like, check out my packing guide page for all the things I take with me on different trips.
