The Cayman Islands are a real tropical paradise. The white sand beaches and the shade of the palm trees make the island a relaxing paradise. Grand Cayman is located south of Cuba, west of Jamaica and north of Panama. The island was first spotted by Christopher Columbus and used to be a British Overseas Territory. In many ways, its azure bays and white sand beaches served as an inspiration for many pirate novels and films.
There are three islands in this small group. First, Grand Cayman and two sister islands to the north-east. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are smaller and less touristy. Even though the smaller islands are known for their hidden beauties, Grand Cayman is the actual star of the show. If you decide to have an adventure in the Caribbean, here’s all you need to know about Grand Cayman.
Background Story About Grand Cayman
The biggest of three islands is home to George Town, the capital of the entire group. The city is located in the southwestern corner of Grand Cayman. With the population of circa 28,000 natives, it is the quintessential hub of tourism and commerce in the area.
If you are among the lucky ones who are planning to visit Grand Cayman, you are likely to arrive in George Town either via a plane or a ship. The port is a very popular stop for cruise ships. Cruise ships tend to sail into the harbor Tuesday through Friday.
Don’t let the relatively modest size of the capital fool you. George Town has countless exciting activities to offer.
Great Food Makes the Best Grand Cayman Vacation
Restaurants offer delicious food with one warning – eating out can be expensive! Even the fast food is expensive here. Rackam’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar is among the most favorite restaurants for locals and tourists alike. Located only 5 minutes away from the George Town ferry terminal, it also boasts one of the best sunset spots in the bay. This restaurant has the perfect location.
Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar has spectacular seafood and other peculiar dishes. If you are up for a culinary adventure try Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar. If you don’t want to experiment much, there is Casanova’s By the Sea, an awesome Italian food restaurant.
Alcohol
Alcohol is very expensive on the islands. Even the liquor store is expensive, and the prices can surprise you. As a visitor, you can bring 12 packs of beer or 4 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits to the island. But, be warned, you must be at least 18 years old. You might want to buy some at the duty-free shop to save some money on your Grand Cayman vacation.
It’s a Tropical World
Things to Do on your Grand Cayman Vacation
Other activities are you should take advantage of in this tropical location, focus on water. They include snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing and rum distilleries. If you ever decide to go scuba diving on Grand Cayman, you’ll be spoiled. There are lots of choices. There are over 200 dive sites through the crystal clear water.
On the other hand, there are art galleries and historical museums to visit. If you are up for some relaxing sightseeing, try the museums. Soaking up local culture and maritime history is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the Cayman Islands. Mandatory stops for all first-time visitors are Cayman Islands National Museum and Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum.
Grand Cayman Vacation Secrets
You can also explore Grand Cayman and uncover some of its fascinating secrets. One of the best is getting close to the unique sea-faring fauna. Boatswain’s Beach is the world’s only commercial Green Sea Turtle farm. The farm proudly boasts of the whopping number 16,000 turtles on the farm. Engaging with the turtles and swimming along with them is a favorite activity for the entire family. People also eat green sea turtle, so this is a working farm for the local restaurants.
Stingray City
There is also the Stingray City, only 10 minutes of walking distance away from Green Sea Turtle Farm. Stingrays usually get a bad rep due to some well-publicized unfortunate encounters. But with certified guides by your side, it’s safe to pet them. Even though stingrays are wild animals, they have become accustomed to people here.
Safety
Grand Cayman is a very safe and colorful place to visit. The local policemen are reliable and friendly. You can dial 911 in case of an emergency. Generally speaking, the locals are very welcoming to every newcomer. You’ll quickly befriend anyone along the way. The islands friendly nature and hospitality are what creates an overall relaxed atmosphere on the island. This small tropical paradise that can offer something for everyone, sole travelers, family travelers, romantic travel and people at all stages of life.
Want to read more about Roxana’s adventures? Try this recent post:
This post was last modified on December 18, 2017 7:08 am