Where to Stay in the Cayman Islands

Our Favorite Cayman Islands Hotels

Five-Star Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
• Boutique Hotel: Palm Heights
• Riverside Hotel Hotel phone: +1 767 616 2888
• Family Hotel: Kimpton Seafire
• The premier pool facility can be found at the Westin Seven Mile Beach hotel • Highest-rated dive resort: Compass Point Dive Resort
• Near Airport: Grand Cayman Marriott.

The Best Area to Stay in the Cayman Islands

Situated in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica, the Cayman Islands are an incredibly well-liked beach holiday destination, and for sound judgement. The territories are politically stable, safe, English-speaking, well-advanced, and showcase extraordinary beaches, diving, snorkeling and fishing. The islands have been a British province since 1670, though mainly self-governing presently, with one of the highest benchmarks of living in the region. The population is just under 70,000, but with only around half native Caymanian (of blended African and European ancestry) – everyone else has come to the islands to work and take advantage of its booming tourist economy and offshore finance industry.

Grand Cayman is considerably the largest island, and this is where travelers most frequently remain. It`s where the majority of locals live, where the principal airport is situated, as well as the capital, George Town. It`s also home to the Cayman`s biggest attraction, Seven Mile Beach, where most of the hotels are – most visitors end up here. There is not a lot of lodging in George Town itself (it`s very close to Seven Mile Beach), though it retains some colonial history and is the best place to shop on the islands. If you want to get away from the primary tourist zones, there are a few places to stay in historic Bodden Town, on the south side of the island, on the more remote East End, and up at Rum Point (North End). It`s a small island, though – around 22 miles (35km) long – and it`s easy to see everything in a day by vehicle. However, the biggest attractions lie offshore, ranging from coral reefs to wreck dives and Stingray City, a shallow sandbar in the North Sound of Grand Cayman – the site is literally inundated with hundreds of huge stingrays eager to be fed by daily boat-trippers.

Visiting the other two islands merits consideration as well, accessible via short flights from Grand Cayman: Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Both provide excellent diving opportunities, a chance to escape mass tourism, and a more remote atmosphere than the crowded main island.

Cayman Islands Travel Tips

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  • Unless your plans only involve beach time, you’ll need to hire a vehicle for at least a day to fully explore the whole of Grand Cayman – all major rental companies have a presence on the island. If you’re staying on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, while the islands are small it remains useful to have a rental car, as attractions are spread out and you’ll likely be stuck without transportation options. Consider Little Cayman Car Rentals, or on Cayman Brac, CB Rent –A-Car.

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• The annual festivities honoring the pineapple on Eleuthera island – The small town of Gregory Town on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera organizes an event lasting several days in early June to celebrate the pineapple, a symbol of hospitality. The Eleuthera Pineapple Festival attracts over 5,000 attendees each year, providing an opportunity for many to return home for a family reunion weekend.
• Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac do offer a public transportation system using minibuses, but renting a vehicle is far more practical if extensive exploration is planned. Getting between Seven Mile Beach and George Town (where the primary bus station is located) is fairly straightforward (simply hailing the bus), and costs only CI$2 per trip.
• The Cayman Islands dollar (KYD, generally simply represented with a $ symbol or CI$), divided into 100 cents, is the official currency on the islands. As it’s pegged to the US dollar (1 Cayman dollar = US$1.20), US dollars are acknowledged nearly everywhere, so Americans are improbable to need to convert money. Most hotels and restaurants utilize a rate of US$1 to 80 Cayman cents, which isn’t too terrible (officially it’s 83 cents), though you will usually get change in Cayman Island dollars. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, but other international currencies are not.
• A 13% “Tourist Accommodation Tax” is added to all room rates in Cayman Islands. Timeshares are subject to the flat tax of US$10/day.
• The wet season in the Cayman Islands spans from May to October, with the dry season November to April, but this is just a rough guide – it never rains intensely, typically brief afternoon showers in summer. The average temperature is a pleasant 75°F (24°C) in winter and 86°F (30°C) degrees in summer.
• The official tourist site for the Cayman Islands is Cayman Islands tourist website

The Best Places to Stay in The Cayman Islands

• Best Luxury Hotels in The Cayman Islands
  The crater and volcano are what render Santorini so remarkable, and a sensible portion of your solitary visit should be committed to experiencing them in one approach or another. The primary towns of Santorini (from south to north: Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia) are spread along the cliff overlooking the crater. It would be straightforward (and enjoyable) to spend an entire day somewhere along the perimeter of the crater. You might accomplish the complete trek from Fira to Oia. Or do just a section of the trek. If dwelling in Fira, you can walk to Imerovigli, have lunch, and return to Fira for shopping, dinner, and an nighttime of nightlife. If dwelling in Oia, you can walk to Imerovigli for lunch, then bus or taxi back to Oia for dinner and sunset. There are a hundred variations on this and more than sufficient awe-inspiring viewpoints, enchanting little lanes, and spellbinding staircases to easily fill a day)
• Best Boutique Hotels in The Cayman Islands
  The Locale • Palm Heights • Le Soleil d’Or • Little Cayman Beach Resort
• Best B&B in The Cayman Islands
  Shangri-La Inn & Suites

• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in the Cayman Islands
  Hampton Grand Cayman • Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman • Sunshine Suites • Turtle Nest Inn

Best Places in The Cayman Islands for…

• • Best place to stay for beaches: Seven Mile Beach

Though locals will provide information that there are great beaches – with far fewer visitors and development – elsewhere in Grand Cayman and on Little Cayman, research shows that Seven Mile Beach cannot be surpassed. While the beach features hotels and can at times be busy, there`s sound justification for its popularity; miles of beautiful white sand and transparent, warm water. It`s also very long (over 6 miles despite the name), and peaceful areas can always be located somewhere, even on crowded days. If primarily aiming to spend most days on the beach, swimming, tanning, and having a good time in the evening, plan to stay on Seven Mile Beach.

• • Most Romantic Destination: The smaller islands of Little Cayman or Cayman Brac
    Couples will discover much to appreciate on Seven Mile Beach or the less frequented parts of Grand Cayman, but for a truly romantic escape consider the smaller islands of Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Lodging on both primarily includes holiday residences on the shoreline or on peaceful segments of coastline – the islands themselves see a fraction of Grand Cayman’s travelers and the locals are especially friendly. You can still enjoy beaches, diving, snorkeling, caving and hiking in protected forests on these islands, but you’ll usually be alone – think sundown refreshments or picnics on the beach, low key bars and eateries, pristine reefs, and scarce Cayman parrots (on Brac).
  • Top Locations for Nighttime Entertainment: Seven Mile Beach and George Town
    The best nightlife in the Caymans can generally be found on Seven Mile Beach (or in nearby Camana Bay), amidst the hotels and resorts, though George Town also contains some great bars where you are more likely to meet locals. On Seven Mile Beach we like the cocktails at Backroom cigar bar (smoking is allowed here); The Bird at the southern end of the beach (known for its fried chicken sandwiches); Coccoloba Bar, which is right on the sand and serves excellent Mexican food and margaritas; and Craft F&B Co, which serves craft beers, including some IPAs from the US and Canada. For a fancy night out, hit the bars in the Ritz Carlton; the Silver Palm Lounge offers cocktails and live entertainment at the weekends, while Bar Jack on the beach is known for its piña coladas and sunset views. In Camana Bay check out Next Door, which offers cocktails with real herbal ingredients used in traditional Caymanian bush medicine. In George Town there’s Cayman Cabana right on the waterfront, My Bar at Sunset House (just south of downtown), and Sandbar, which specializes in daiquiri cocktails.The legal drinking age in the Cayman Islands is 18. Don’t be tempted to drink and drive – local police often conduct random checks and the penalties are severe.

    – Alcoholic beverages, clubs and eateries quit serving alcohol at midnight on Saturdays and Sundays – there’s no moving or live music on Sundays in the Caymans. Bars otherwise need to close at 1am on other nights. You are now able to purchase alcohol in stores on Sundays between 1pm and 7pm (Mon–Sat it’s 10am–10pm).

€› Item: Best Place for Shopping: George Town
.€� Grand Cayman is often seen as an appealing place for those seeking to browse stores, as tourists will quickly notice when massive cruise ships dock near George Town causing the streets to fill with people exploring. The standard duty-free and luxury goods are available, alongside handmade artworks, playthings, precious stones unique to the islands formed into jewelry, handicrafts woven from plant fibers local to the terrain, sea salt harvested traditionally from the waters surrounding Cayman, and specialty preserves, condiments, and hot sauces made using local ingredients. Overall, George Town provides the finest spots for shopping (despite sighting numerous stores along the Seven Mile Beach strip, mostly selling clothing and beachwear). South Church Street (bordering the oceanfront) hosts Bayshore Mall and Island Plaza, the Cayman Craft Market, and tropical fashions at Blue Iguana Boutique. Other favored stores include Rockys Diamond Gallery,Vy’s Closet Lingerie Boutique, and Cayman Gifts & Souvenirs

• Best Place to Escape the Well-Traveled Paths: Cayman Brac or East End
  On Grand Cayman, head out to the East End to lose most of the tourists. On the coast here there are some wonderfully remote resorts and hotels, empty beaches, and plenty of opportunities to explore the Caymans’ less-visited reefs and dive sites, just offshore. Inland there’s the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, home of the rare Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. To get a more rustic Caribbean vibe, take the 30-minute flight to Cayman Brac, one of Grand Cayman’s sister islands; home to caves, a dramatic limestone ridge, hiking trails, Cayman parrots, and friendly locals. The accommodation here is primarily vacation homes, rentals, and small hotels.
• Best Place for Diving: Little Cayman, East End
  There’s good diving and snorkeling opportunities available throughout the Cayman Islands (Stingray City is the most famous site), but there are a couple places especially favored by scuba divers. The eastern region of Grand Cayman is near some of the prime dive locations, with lodging facilities like were set up for divers. Compass Point Dive Resort has even created the “Green Short Challenge” for scuba divers to visit each of the 55 eastern region dive sites. Spectacular wall dives can be found (which is what the Caymans are really known for), sensational visibility reaching up to 150ft, healthy coral colonies, coral towers, and abundant marine life (sharks and large groupers are common). The smaller island of Little Cayman is also a diving hot spot – it’s a little harder to reach (a 30-minute flight from Grand Cayman), but you’ll be rewarded by pristine reefs and much smaller groups of divers. The “Bloody Bay Wall” (which starts at 20ft/6m and drops to 1,000ft/304m) and Jackson’s Bight (aka Jackson’s Wall) are legendary dive spots here, with vertical walls, coral gardens, and a class=”darklink” huge range of marine life. Most of the lodging facilities here accommodate divers.

The 6 Best Places in The Cayman Islands for Tourists

1. Seven Mile Beach

Though slightly longer than 7 miles (9.7km), Seven Mile Beach is considered one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean region. It`s no surprise that many of Grand Cayman`s accommodations and resorts are situated along this beach, where most visitors choose to stay. Stretching as a gorgeous expanse of white coral sand with small patch reefs located offshore in usually calm, light blue waters that are perfect for snorkeling. The common water activities are available here, such as parasailing. A few blocks inland is the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, housing an unexpectedly rich collection of modern and contemporary art by Caymanian artists. Nearby, live performances take place at the Harquail Theatre.

Offshore, West Bay features some of the best reef diving areas with an abundance of coral and fish visible – the calm waters and usually excellent clarity make this suitable for families, beginners and snorkelers alike. At the northern end of the bay, West Bay Beach lies near the USS Kittiwake, a former US naval vessel intentionally sunk here in 2011 to develop an artificial reef.

– For a classic Caribbean beach holiday, you don’t need to venture far from Seven Mile Beach – there’s an extensive selection of dining, drinking, and entertainment, and the capital, George Town is a short bus or taxi ride away. It’s simple to arrange a car rental if you want to spend a day exploring further afield. Seven Mile Beach is also convenient for attractions in West Bay, Camana Bay, and in the North Sound:

The neighboring community of West Bay is home to several attractions (best explored on organized trips or by vehicle): the small patch of jagged black limestone outcrops at “Hell” (which has its own gift store and service station); and the Cayman Turtle Centre, where you can interact with the turtles. Staying on the coast here is more tranquil than Seven Mile Beach (though there’s no sand), but there are a few good options; we recommend Shangri-La Inn & Suites.

Just inland from the beach that extends for seven miles, facing North Sound, is Camana Bay, a small residential area known for its shopping center and waterside restaurants (there`s a series of marinas and waterways here). Depending on where you`re staying on the shoreline, it`s conceivable to walk to Camana Bay, but generally it`s a brief taxi ride. The Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman is on this side, with a tiny artificially constructed coast facing North Sound, but you`ll necessitate a vehicle to make the most of lodging here.

Several tour operators propose outings to Stingray City in the North Sound of Grand Cayman from Seven Mile Beach (which include transportation to the dock). Visiting these gentle marine creatures offshore is among the island`s most popular attractions. Boats anchor near shallow sandbars in the center of the sound – while wading around, vast stingrays swiftly approach, hoping to be fed. It’s completely safe provided one doesn’t touch them and watches where stepping; even though the stingrays seem tame and aren`t aggressive, these are natural ocean animals. (It’s believed that in the 1980s fishermen would clean fish and squid in the area and that the stingrays started connecting the sound of boats with food.) For scuba divers, the North Sound presents additional reef dives and spectacular wall dives.

– Trustworthy operators comprise Captain Marvins and Cayman Turtle Divers for diving, and Stingray City Cayman Islands.

• The Best Hotels in Seven Mile Beach
  Grand Cayman Marriott – Hotel phone: +1 345 949 0088
  Visitors can choose to spend their vacation at the Kimpton Seafire which can be contacted at +1 800 546 7866
  The Locale • Hotel phone: +1 866 345 7829
  ONE Canal Point – Hotel contact number: +1 800 722 5359
  Palm Heights – Hotel contact number: +1 345 949 1234
  The luxurious The Ritz-Carlton welcomes guests and may be reached at +1 345 943 9000
  The Westin on Seven Mile Beach • Hotel phone: +1 345 945 3800
  Caribbean Club • Hotel phone: +1 345 623 4500
  Coral Stone Club • The contact phone number for the hotel is +1 888 927 2322
  Crescent Point Resort – Contact: +1 345 945 2243
  Wanderlust Caribbean ⚑ Hotel phone: +1 767 295 0890
• Best Midrange Hotels
  Hampton on Grand Cayman • Hotel contact number: +1 345 945 7300
  Sunshine Suites provides lodging and can be contacted at +1 345 949 3000

2. George Town

The capital of the Cayman Islands, George Town lies a short drive or bus ride south from Seven Mile Beach. Its downtown area takes up a small amount of space yet has numerous historic and cultural destinations worth exploring for half a day, though the primary attraction for most visitors is the wide selection of luxury and tax-free shopping available. George Town is also where cruise ship passengers disembark, so it tends to become extremely crowded on days when ships are docked. The main cultural attraction is the Cayman Islands National Museum, housed in the historical Old Courts Building, which outlines the human and natural history of the islands and includes the 18th-century Old Gaol, with some inmate graffiti still intact. There’s also the restored Fort George site, though little remains of the original defenses. Admirers of rum and vodka can also take an informative tour of Cayman Spirits Co distillery, and a farmers’ market is available Monday to Saturday (from 7.30am) on Huldah Avenue, selling local handicrafts, baked goods, indigenous fruit, coconuts, and more.

There is not much lodging in George Town itself (being so close to Seven Mile Beach), though you will find some apartment and condo rentals along the waterfront. Just to the south is Sunset House hotel, popular with divers.

3. Bodden Town

Around 16km to the east of George Town lies Bodden Town and its surrounding districts, making for an interesting day trip especially for history enthusiasts. Now more like a village, Bodden Town was once the first capital of the Cayman Islands and still contains remnants of its past, notably its old defensive wall and cannon, the restored 1830s Guard House, and 18th-century Mission House, one of the oldest buildings in the Caymans (though the original was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, it was faithfully rebuilt). Guided tours provide insights into 18th-century island life.

Nearby are a couple significant family-friendly attractions for learning and exploration: the Biodome, the former Olympic velodrome that now simulates five North American ecosystems; and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, which presents immersive educational presentations with astronomical themes. On the other side of the park is the well-known Jardin botanique de Montreal, the botanical gardens featuring various greenhouses and thematic gardens. The related Insectarium has four principal insect habitats, counting butterflies.

• The Best Hotels in Bodden Town
  Black Urchin Hotel contact number: +1 833 462 2962
  Sea Palm Villas • Hotel phone: +1 345 329 4274
• Best Midrange Hotels
  Turtle Nest Inn • Hotel phone: +1 345 947 8665

4. East End

The farthest eastern region of Grand Cayman is the most undeveloped section of the island, ideal for exploring natural beaches that are often empty of people; Colliers Public Beach is the best option if you are not lodging in that area. It can easily be visited on a day trip (by rental vehicle) from Seven Mile Beach, but you can also stay at some tranquil resorts – a good strategy if you want to bypass the major resorts and crowded places for visitors, or if you simply want to scuba dive. The East End provides some of the finest diving locations in the Cayman Islands, most of them just brief boat rides from the hotel shores (contact Diving Ocean Frontiers). The current East End Light at Gorling Bluff dates back to the 1930s, and has become a local symbol, part of East End Lighthouse Park. There are several attractions inland too. The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, set surrounding a peaceful lake, protects the endangered Grand Cayman blue iguana and includes many gardens, 10 orchid species, 57 butterfly species, and wooded trails. You can also hike the 4.6-mile Mastic Trail through the subtropical woodland that covers the central part of the island – you’ll see lots of birds (including Cayman parrots), lizards, snakes, and agoutis – but also hordes of mosquitoes, so spray up. It’s also quite rocky so you need hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Failing that there`s the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary.

• There are multiple quality seaside dining establishments spaced along the eastern coastline, and well-liked by locals on weekends. Recommended places comprise Eagle Ray’s Dive Bar & Grill,Tukka, Herman’s Fish Fry (phone: +1 345 924 4007), and La Casita for Mexican cuisine.

• The Best Hotels in East End
  Wyndham Reef Resort • Hotel phone: +1 866 358 8455 Compass Point Dive Resort • Hotel phone: +1 345 640 4444
  Morritt’s Resorts – Their contact number is +1 345 947 7449

5. Cayman Brac

To genuinely explore off the beaten path, take the quick flight from Grand Cayman to the diminutive Cayman Brac (“Brac” is Gaelic for cliff, named for the limestone ridge that traverses the center of the island rising precipitously to 150ft). Just 12 miles (19km) in length and just over a mile (1.2km) across, it’s a cordial place that seldom appears busy, with generally rough karst terrain inhabited by all kinds of birds (such as the Cayman parrot, brown boobies, and peregrine falcons) and a great number of iguanas (around 2,000 individuals live here permanently). There are trails, caves, and excellent diving sites to discover – including steep seawalls, reefs and one renowned wreck. This wreck is a Russian frigate, constructed in the 1980s for the Cuban Navy and submerged here in 1996 to generate an artificial reef (it has since been renamed “MV Captain Keith Tibbetts”).

There’s surprisingly quite a lot to see and do on the island (renting a car to make the most of it), but not much in the way of beaches; snorkeling and scuba diving are the major water sports here. On land there’s the Heritage House in North East Bay, an authentic reproduction of an old Caymanian home. You can learn about island history at the Cayman Brac Museum (279 Stake Bay Road): turtling, ship-building, and the community’s long history of long-distance seafaring and fishing. You’ll also find a handful of artist’s galleries here, including SimoneS Art Gallery and Gordon Solomon. The island is also the primary source of Caymanite, the unusual patterned rock that`s smoothed down and sold in shops.

• There are several spots to dine and drink on the island, but be sure to visit Pioneer Bakery in Creek, to sample their freshly baked breads, coconut buns, and cinnamon rolls.

・ The sole means to arrive at Cayman Brac is through air travel using Cayman Airways. Regular flights zip across (30 minutes) numerous times daily from Grand Cayman to the petite Charles Kirkconnell International Airport, yet there are in some cases seasonal non-stop flights from Miami (check at caymanairways.com).

• Most visitors stay in apartment or beach house rentals here – there are not an extensive number of hotels.

• The Best Hotels in Cayman Brac
  The hotel ” Le Soleil d’Or” is located in Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands. The telephone number for the property is +1 345 948 0555.
  The strongly emphasized ” The Alexander” hotel`s contact number is +1 345 547 1178

6. Little Cayman

The island of Little Cayman, just 5 miles/8km west of Cayman Brac, is even smaller at around 10 by 1 miles/16 by 1.6km. In contrast to its neighbor, it is completely flat and virtually at sea level with fewer than 200 residents, feeling more akin to a desert isle. The sole grocery, gas station, bank and clinic are all located together near the airstrip on the island`s south side.

A handful of beaches on the island are relatively small and normally tranquil in nature, such as Point of Sand at the easternmost extremity, renowned for its magnificence. However, the prime draw is diving in the marine regions – it represents one of the finest spots in the Caribbean to engage in this, with flourishing reef ecosystems encircling the entire island. The most famed dive spot is the Bloody Bay Wall, showcasing a stunning precipice favored by sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and various pelagic fish. Another celebrated site is Jackson`s Bight, also named Jackson`s Wall – both are situated on the north side of the island.

On land, Booby Pond is a pristine wetland home to a large red-footed booby nesting ground, and visitors can also kayak or take a boat out to the tiny Owen Island just off the south coast, where a beautiful beach awaits. The Little Cayman Museum does a decent job of chronicling the island’s history.

• Similar to Cayman Brac, the sole means of arriving at Little Cayman is through Cayman Airways; flights from Grand Cayman regularly stop at Little Cayman before continuing on to Cayman Brac, permitting travelers to transfer between the two destinations.

• Most of the lodging is within walking distance of the Edward Bodden Airfield. The island does have a couple of car rental operators, plus a minibus that works like taxi for trips to beaches, restaurants, or the airport.

• The Best Hotels in Little Cayman
  Little Cayman Beach Resort • Hotel phone: +1 800 327 3835
  Paradise Villas • Contact number: +1 345 948 0001
  Pirates Point Resort • Hotel phone: +1 345 948 1010
  Sir Turtle Beach Villas • Hotel contact number: +1 305 454 7627
  Southern Cross Lodge • Hotel phone: +1 345 948 1099

Other Cayman Islands Neighborhoods

As noted above, we’ve outlined some favorite neighborhoods for visiting and lodging on the island in more depth. With extra time available, Rum Point up north is worth exploring as well (though it tends to get crowded on weekends when locals congregate there). Located around 38 kilometers from George Town, the region has several small beaches starting with the rustic yet rocky Cayman Kai beach which sees little traffic. Next is Rum Point beach itself, a pleasant patch of white sand nicely shaded by casuarina trees and good for swimming and snorkeling. A bit further south lies Starfish Point, a shallow beach where large starfish can often be spotted just offshore. Our top pick for a hotel in the area is the Rum Point Club Residences, though several vacation home rentals provide a quieter holiday experience – dining and nightlife options are limited however.