Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The largest, Grand Cayman, has a cosmopolitan vibe, gourmet restaurants, world-class diving and the famous Seven Mile Beach. Cayman Brac is a paradise for nature lovers, where they can dive in impressive sites and delight while strolling along the rocky cliff. The smallest island, Little Cayman, is home to just 150 inhabitants. Visitors enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and dive activity, especially at Bloody Bay Wall, considered one of the best diving walls in the world.

Some 2.5 million tourists visit the Cayman Islands each year. Most of them are cruise-ship passengers, who spend a few hours shopping, sunbathing or swimming with stingrays before pulling out of port. Others hunker down near Seven Mile Beach, enjoying their all-inclusive resort on one of the Caribbean's most beautiful stretches of sand. And a lucky few venture further.

Culture & History

In the heart of the Caribbean, not far from Jamaica and Cuba, lies an archipelago as accustomed to wealth as to exceptions. Its islands do not live off tourism, its level of development is above the regional average and its cuisine is not satisfied with rice and bananas. When it comes to breaking out of the norm, especially scal, the Cayman Islands have the best fame.

The culture of the Cayman Islands is mostly influenced by British and American culture. On the smaller islands such as Brac and Little Caymán some elements of Indian culture are preserved. The official language is English. It is celebrated by them ¨the day of the pirates¨. A very significant day for the inhabitants of these islands is ¨the Queen's Birthday Day¨, celebrated with a large parade every June. Indian traditions become notable in their dances such as soca, calypso, and reggae.

Thanks to an overly permissive fiscal policy, the archipelago's large island boasts first-rate infrastructure, cultural diversity, and outstanding security ratings. In sum, the factors that make Grand Cayman a truly rich island. And nobody is talking about bank accounts, but about seas draped with stripes, organic feasts that cross borders and skies that do not settle for five stars.

Flavors

One of the typical formats of the Cayman Islands, where local cuisine is fused with different ingredients, is the famous “from the garden to the table”. This unique movement brings the freshest produce and highest-quality ingredients directly from the production site to diners. These establishments are fed by local producers, with their fertile fields and farms, offering a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and meats, which are thus supplied to gourmet restaurants in the Caymans.

Everything that can be made with conch, coconut, banana, cassava, rice and peas, tuna, snapper, mango, and mahi-mahi, has been made in the Cayman Islands. Food in the Cayman Islands includes traditional Caribbean food. Jamaican cuisine has also found its way onto many of the island's menus, and jerk seasoning has become popular in various meat dishes. Curries are also used frequently throughout Cayman.

Traditional Cayman Islands food includes, among others, delicious dishes made with meat prepared in the Caymanian style. Of all the local desserts, the heavy cake, an exquisite local cake, is one of the must-sees when visiting the destination.

Urban Experience

Grand Cayman, the island where the capital Georgetown is located, is the perfect example of a Caribbean cruise port, white sand beaches, a plethora of duty-free shops selling jewelery and spirits, and water activities like snorkeling and diving. Popular spots for cruise passengers like the spectacular Seven Mile Beach, George Town's shopping center

The Cayman Islands are famous for their duty-free shops (they claim to be 30% cheaper), so one of the favorite activities for travelers to George Town is shopping. There are shops of all kinds (exclusive boutiques, jewelers, perfumeries, liquor stores, works of art ...), but despite being duty free, many of them are luxury items and big brands (Versace, Tiffany, Gucci), so that tend to escape common budgets.

You can visit mansions and buildings, which are the oldest of the three islands, reflecting the architecture and lifestyle of the first years of the colonization period. An old mansion from the 18th century that has been carefully restored and converted into a museum.

Outdoors & Adventure

You can go diving or snorkeling while exploring the shipwrecks near Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. You can dive in to see them up close no matter your level of experience. Explore the North Side and the Sister Islands to discover lush forests, diverse birdlife, mysterious caves, and pristine beaches.

Surrounded by reefs, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean. Divers comment on the various coral formations, caverns, grottoes, tunnels, wrecks, steep walls, and excellent visibility. All three islands are full of these sites.

One of the nation's top attractions is Stingray City, a shallow sandbar where visitors can interact with a multitude of graceful stingrays. The island offers many other attractions, visitors can stroll through the botanical gardens, hike along nature trails, commune with the critters at the turtle farm, and escape to the quiet island of the East End.



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