Getting here and around, the best time to come, the money and entry basics, and the three islands at a glance - everything to turn a daydream into a booked trip.
Almost everyone arrives at Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in George Town, Grand Cayman. The national carrier, Cayman Airways, flies alongside a range of international airlines with direct routes from several US, Canadian and UK cities, so most visitors reach the island with a single non-stop flight.
Grand Cayman is also a busy cruise port - see our cruise-day guide for shore plans. Ships anchor offshore in the deep water off George Town and bring passengers ashore by tender directly into the waterfront shopping district. To reach the Sister Islands, short domestic hops on Cayman Airways connect Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac (Charles Kirkconnell International) and Little Cayman.
Flight routes and schedules change with the season. Confirm current direct routes from your city, and any Sister Island connections, close to the time you travel.
Cayman is warm and tropical all year, with air temperatures typically ranging from the mid‑20s to the low‑30s Celsius (high‑70s to low‑90s Fahrenheit) and warm, clear sea almost every day. The drier, cooler months from roughly December through April are the peak season, with the most reliable sunshine and the busiest beaches and restaurants.
The summer and autumn months are warmer and more humid and fall within the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from about June to November. Direct storms are relatively infrequent, and this stretch brings quieter beaches, lower rates and superb diving visibility - just keep an eye on the forecast and consider travel insurance. Diving and snorkelling are excellent year‑round.
Grand Cayman is compact and easy to explore. The one rule to remember is that you drive on the left, a legacy of the island's British ties, so take the first few miles of any hire car gently. Rental cars are widely available and visitors generally need a temporary local driving permit, usually arranged through the rental company on arrival.
If you would rather not drive, taxis operate island‑wide (fares are set rather than metered, so agree the price first), and inexpensive public minibuses run along the main routes, including the length of West Bay Road beside Seven Mile Beach. A passenger ferry links the Seven Mile Beach and Camana Bay area with Rum Point across the North Sound, which is a lovely way to reach the North Side.
Driving‑permit rules, taxi fares and ferry timetables can change - check the current details with your rental company, driver or ferry operator when you arrive.
The local currency is the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), which is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate that makes the Cayman dollar the stronger of the two. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and card payment is standard, though change may come back in local currency. There is no sales tax or VAT, so the price you see is generally the price you pay.
English is the official language, mains power is the US‑style 120V with the same plugs, and a service charge or tip of around 15% is customary in restaurants (check your bill, as some already include it). Pack light, breathable clothing, and bring reef‑safe sunscreen to help protect the island's coral.
Visitors need a passport valid for the length of their stay, and many nationalities can enter for tourism without a visa, while others require one. Airlines and immigration may also ask to see proof of onward or return travel and accommodation. Because these rules depend on your nationality and are updated from time to time, always confirm the current requirements with the official Cayman Islands immigration authority before you book.
This is general guidance, not immigration advice. Check the official Cayman Islands government entry and visa requirements for your nationality close to your travel date.
The Cayman Islands are a trio, each with its own character - most trips centre on Grand Cayman, with the Sister Islands a short flight away for a quieter, wilder few days.
The largest island: Seven Mile Beach, George Town, Stingray City and the great majority of hotels, dining and things to do.
Things to do →Named for its limestone bluff. Caves, trails, sea‑bird colonies and world‑class wall and wreck diving.
Discover the Brac →Tiny and untouched, with more iguanas and birds than people, and the legendary Bloody Bay Wall dive.
Discover Little Cayman →