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.