Overview of Grand Cayman

The Cayman Islands consist of 3 islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Together they total only 100 square miles. A British territory, the islands are an international banking center, the fifth largest in the world. As such, the people of the Cayman Islands enjoy the highest standard of living of any Caribbean country. On the flip side, the Cayman Islands are among the hardest hit during hurricanes due to their low-lying proximity to sea level.

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What language is spoken in Grand Cayman? Do they speak English?

The official language of the Cayman Islands is English, mixed with a British accent and sometimes a Jamaican influence.

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What is the national currency in the Cayman Islands?

The Cayman Dollar is the official currency. One US Dollar is roughly equivalent to 81 cents in Cayman currency (currency calculator.)

Do they accept US Dollars around the cruise port?

Yes, US Dollars. Traveler's checks, and major credit cards are widely accepted on Grand Cayman. If you are given a price, be sure to note which currency is being quoted, as it might be either Cayman dollars or US dollars and it can become confusing. Also note that if you use US Dollars to pay you will generally be given Cayman dollars when you get change.

Where can I get or exchange money?

While it is not necessary to exchange money, you'll save money if you go to the bank and exchange U.S. dollars (USD) for Cayman Dollars (KYD).

• Banks closest to Cruise Port: 

  There is no cruise ship dock on Grand Cayman, so you will arrive by tender and be taken right to the center of George Town where all the shopping is located. There is no shortage of banks on Grand Cayman - 40 of the 50 largest banks in the world have branches in the Cayman Islands.

• ATMs closest to Port: 

  The Cayman National Bank has ATMs throughout Georgetown. Money can be taken in either US or Cayman dollars.

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How do I get around from the cruise port?

Walking

Georgetown is an easy walk from where the tenders put ashore. Be cautious when crossing the street, and remember that cars will be coming from the opposite direction than you expect.

Buses

Grand Cayman has an excellent and inexpensive bus system. They run on a simple color-coded route (yellow and lime green buses go to Seven Mile Beach, for instance) and can be flagged down at the side of the road.

Taxis

Taxis are always lined up and waiting when a cruise ship is in town, right on Harbour Drive. They are not metered, so you need to agree on a fare before getting into the cab.

Water Taxi

Water taxis are available near the where the tenders come ashore in Georgetown, and will take you to various spots on the island. A popular destination is the Kaibo Beach Bar & Grill for a Caribbean BBQ or, if you are lucky enough to be visiting during the full moon on a Friday, their Luna del Mar dinner served on the beach.

Rental Car

All of the major car rental companies have offices on Grand Cayman. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road and there are some age restrictions - some companies limit drivers under 21, others under 25. Budget Rent a Car takes this one step further, and doesn't allow drivers over 75 to rent a car . . . All drivers are required by law to purchase a driver's permit (around $7-8 USD.)

Scooter Rental

Scooter rentals are available from several companies on the island - note that it is mandatory to wear helmets at all times and need to be extremely careful of pedestrians and tourists driving on the "wrong" side of the road.

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How can I stay in touch with home? (Ex. Email, phone, etc.)

Next to the northern cruise terminal in Georgetown is a telecommunication center with internet access and pay phones. The Georgetown Post Office is also located in this area. Cafe del Sol is in the Marquee Center on 7 Mile Beach; there are several Cable & Wireless Communication Stations, one in Anderson Square in Georgetown and another in the Galleria Shopping Mall on 7 Mile Beach.

What are the cell phone rates?

Verizon is $1.99/minute and AT&T is between $1.69 and $1.99/minute. Contact your cell phone provider for international roaming rates.

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What are the top attractions and must-sees in Grand Cayman? How long will it take me to get there and to explore?

Attractions

• Stingray City is an absolute must when visiting Grand Cayman. Tours to this fascinating site leave from Georgetown Center - the cost of round-trip transportation is included in your price. There is a reef at Stingray City, and the water is just 3 feet deep. The Stingrays are tame, friendly, and not at all dangerous and if you like, the tour operators will give you handfuls of squid and show you how to hand-feed the rays. The guides will also show you how to hold the rays, which make for great photo opportunities!
• The 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is about 30-40 minutes from the center of Georgetown (see map.) Cab fare to the park will be approximately $50 USD one way. There is a walking trail through extensive gardens, a restored Caymanian farmhouse to explore, and iguanas, birds, and other wildlife to be enjoyed. There is a small gift shop as well as a reception area with exhibits.
• Pampered Ponies offers several different types of rides - early morning, sunset, and full moon rides are especially fun. Your ride on the beach will be capped with a bareback swim with the horse! The guides will arrange to pick you up at the cruise ship docks and return you when your ride is over.

• On Grand Cayman you can also "go to Hell" - Hell, Grand Cayman that is. At the northwest tip of 7 mile beach, Hell is a tiny village with a post office where you can actually send your postcards home from Hell. It's much nicer there than the other Hell you may of heard of. To get there, buses 1 & 2 take you to hell and back... (OK, I'll stop now.)

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Beaches

• TheSeven Mile Beach (which is actually only 5.5 miles long due to continued hurricane erosion) is by far the biggest and most popular beach on Grand Cayman Island is the Seven Mile Beach (which, interestingly, is only 5.5 miles long due to continued hurricane erosion). Most of the high-end resorts are along Seven Mile Beach, with numerous bars and restaurants to choose from. The beach is usually very busy with lots going on - open grilling is allowed as are pets. They do, however, prohibit loud music and nudity.
• Smith Barcadere Beach is the closest beach to the cruise ship dock. Everything you need for a terrific day on the sand is available here - picnic areas, showers, restrooms, and snorkeling.
• Rum Point is an extremely popular beach, with its shallow water, hammocks, beach bar, showers, shady trees, and volleyball. Located on the North side of the island, it is a 40-minute ferry ride from the Hyatt Regency Canal area.

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Shopping

You will disembark from the tenders right in the middle of the Georgetown shopping district and there is a variety of shopping to choose from. Don't buy at the first store that you encounter - the pricing quite often gets lower the further you get from the cruise ship dock. And don't be afraid to walk away to see if the price will go even lower.

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Golf

• North Sound Club (formerly The Links at Safehaven), located 4 miles northwest of the cruise terminal (see map), is a 6,605 yards, 18 hole, par 71 championship golf course. It has a USGA Course Rating of 75.1. Contact the Club at (345) 947-GOLF (4653) or E-mail for tee time reservations.
• Britannia Golf Club, located two and a half miles north of the cruise terminal (see map) is a 9-hole golf course at the Hyatt Regency designed by Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus designed a ball specifically for this course called the Cayman Ball. The Cayman Ball goes half the distance of normal golf balls to give you the feel of a longer course on the Britannia Course. Contact the Club for tee time reservations at (345) 949-8020.
• The Blue Tip Golf Course, located 3 miles north of the cruise terminal (see map), is a 9-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. Known as the "Caribbean Monster", Blue Tip features five long par 4 holes which will challenge any golfer. Contact Blue Tip for tee time reservations at (345) 815-6500.

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Scuba

Grand Cayman is known all over the world as a diver's paradise - you can experience everything from coral reefs to a shipwrecked barge to deep wall dives. Divers Down has a shop on North Church Street right in the center of Georgetown and offers everything from introductory dives to PADI certification as well as equipment rental. Since there is a turtle farm on the island, a sea turtle is a common sight.

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Tours

Apart from the tours offered by the cruise line, which can be crowded, expensive and sell out quickly, there is a wide variety of tours that you can book on your own. You can visit Stingray City on a Waverunner, or spend the day deep-sea fishing or relaxing at Rum Point. There are guided tours on horseback, by helicopter, by bus, by mountain bike, or by taxi.

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What are the must-eats? Where are the best places to get them?

Conch dishes in every variety are available on the island, from fritters to ceviche to chowder. The Cracked Conch in the West Bay area is an excellent spot to grab lunch and try out this local favorite.

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What are the must-drinks? Where is the best place to get them?

The Mudslide is said to have been invented on Grand Cayman in the 1950's at the Wreck Bar & Grille at Rum Point. Reportedly best enjoyed swinging in a hammock.

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Which are the best souvenirs to buy in Grand Cayman? Where can I get them?

Under $25:

Cay-puzzles are a unique gift for both children and adults. Made from photographs taken in the Cayman Islands, these can be found at many shops on the island, including at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Seven Mile Beach. A 4"x 6" postcard size puzzle (24 pc) sells for about $8 USD; a 10" x 16" puzzle (252 pc) sells for about $20 USD.

$25-$75

A gift from Blackbeard's Trading Company is a practical (and delicious) reminder of your visit. You can find their products at these duty free locations:

• Dick's Liquors in the Island Plaza Shopping Village in downtown Georgetown
• Dick's Liquors at Pirate's Grotto in the Landmark Building
• Dick's Liquors on the 2nd floor of The Flagship Building
• Papillion Duty-Free in the Owen Roberts Airport

Choose from Blackbeard's Rum and/or Rum Cakes or their line of Big Black Dick Rum (hey, I didn't name it, that is what it is called) for a uniquely Cayman spirit.

Over $75

Blown glass items such as bowls, vases and plates make excellent souvenirs. At the Island Glassblowing Studio, located on North Church St. in downtown Georgetown, you can watch the artisans make a variety of glass-blown items, all with an island theme.

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What is the weather like in Grand Cayman?

Current Temperature

Average Monthly Temperatures and Rainfall in Grand Cayman

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