Vacations

Cayman Islands Vacations and Travel Guide

A small, beautiful, and very active British Crown Colony in the Western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are famed for white sand beaches, fabulous scuba diving in crystal clear waters, and a a friendly and welcoming environment. The islands host millions of visitors each year who revel in our picture postcard beauty. Read on for all the information you need to plan the tropical island vacation of your dreams.

A large percentage of our visitors are repeats, drawn back by fond memories of the great vacation they had, and to see their newfound, or old, Caymanian friends. Should you choose to visit the Cayman Islands, you will no doubt make many friends whom you will look forward to seeing again, year after year.

Book your hotel, flights & island activities here. Get travel advice, and find helpful information on planning your Cayman Islands vacation or business trip. We hope that you'll have a great time in the Cayman Islands.

Airlines and Flights

Air travel service to the Cayman Islands is available from several countries, with flights from Canada, US, UK, Honduras, Cuba and Jamaica. Cities served by regularly scheduled flights or seasonal charters include Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Houston, Miami, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Tampa, London (England), Kingston & Montego Bay (Jamaica), Havana (Cuba), La Ceiba (Honduras), and Toronto (Canada). There are over 100 commercial flights into the Cayman Islands each week and the most popular gateway is Miami International Airport with approximately 50 flights per week.

Resorts and Hotels

Many of the hotels and resorts on Cayman’s three islands cater to dive enthusiasts, offering special packages that include daily two-tank boat dives and shore diving, dive shops and everything you need to enjoy your sport. Non-divers need not fret, though, as they will have just as much to enjoy since many of the hotel properties offer shopping, dining, non-scuba water sports activities and tour options.

Vacation Rentals & Condos

The Cayman Islands offer the vacation seeker many choices of accommodations with beachfront condos, hotels, resorts, villas, cottages and home-stays available for rent throughout the islands. Whether you prefer the quiet seclusion offered by Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, or the busier Seven Mile Beach area of Grand Cayman, you'll find something to suit your needs.

Grand Cayman Restaurants

There are over 250 restaurants in the Cayman Islands including fast-food outlets and small native style diners. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of mid-range and elegant dining options as well as low cost food options. Traditional Caymanian cuisine will feature many items unfamiliar to you in addition to well-known favourites such as conch, lobster and shrimp. Don't be afraid to sample local dishes such as stewed turtle, oxtail, salt beef & beans and ackee & codfish. Other staples include plantain, breadfruit, cassava and rice & beans. Local dessert items include rum cake and cassava cake.

Cayman Shopping

Shopping in the Cayman Islands could be considered a tourist attraction all on its own. Duty free prices, a range of goods catering to a range of budgets, and stores and malls scattered across the island make shopping for a souvenir or special gift an easy and enjoyable experience.

Grand Cayman Car Rentals

Many of the well known rental car agencies are represented here along with several local operations. You will find a wide variety of rental cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles, vans and minibuses, as well as scooters. In order to rent a car you will need to present a valid driver’s license from your country and purchase a Visitors Driving Permit. Grand Cayman's car rental agencies offer daily car rental rates ranging from US$26 for compact cars in the summer season (mid-April to mid-December) to higher prices for jeeps, vans and premium cars. Most offer special weekly rates as well.

Scuba Diving in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac & Little Cayman

Many books, picture guides and magazine articles have been published on the subject of diving in the Cayman Islands, and, quite simply, these islands have the best scuba diving that you'll ever find. The sheer number and diversity of the dive sites is truly amazing. You can choose from wall dives, cave dives, coral garden dives, reef dives, wreck dives, Stingray City dives. And then do them all over again at night!

Snorkeling & Water Sports Activities

Grand Cayman offers many in-water activities and plenty of local water sports operators to help you enjoy them. The undersea world of our beautiful islands may be equaled but certainly not surpassed, and snorkeling is a good alternative to scuba if for some reason you are not able to dive. There are literally hundreds of sites where the water is shallow enough to snorkel and where you can experience the amazing diversity of our marine environment. Most Cayman water sports operators offer snorkeling trips and will take you where the fish are plentiful. Snorkeling can also be done directly from the beach at many locations around the islands.

Tips, Myths and More

Are you read to start planning your visit to the Cayman Islands? Use the information here to plan a tropical getaway that's worth bragging about. If you want to arrive fully prepared, you’ll find this information useful and interesting. If we've forgotten anything, just check with your host or concierge who can advise you on anything you need to know about vacationing in the Cayman Islands.

Cayman Islands Sport Fishing

The Cayman Islands are regarded by fishermen the world over as a destination for all types of sport fishing. From deep sea trolling for Blue Marlin to casting for Bonefish in the knee-deep waters of a lagoon, you'll find the action you're looking for. The best fishing is usually in the months of May, June, and July, with Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphin, and Bonefish being most plentiful then. Wahoo are most plentiful in the months of December to March.

Getting Married in the Cayman Islands

For couples looking to plan an exotic Caribbean island wedding, the Cayman Islands offers something few destinations can match. The result is a sort of “barefoot elegance” that promises to make your big day truly remarkable. Whether you’re planning a grand, sophisticated church wedding for 200 or an intimate beachfront ceremony for two, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac afford the locales, activities and attractions to make your experience larger than life.