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Should you’d requested me a number of months in the past what I knew about Grand Cayman, the reply could be… that it’s an island within the Caribbean possibly? This and the truth that “offshore accounts within the Caymans” are one thing individuals discuss in motion pictures.
Nevertheless, we spent a month falling in love (sure, 30+ days) with Grand Cayman this winter.
I’ve been to numerous seashores and a handful of nations in our travels, however Grand Cayman rapidly turned my primary favourite place on the planet.
In case you are contemplating a visit to Grand Cayman, cease studying this and go guide it now. You’ll remorse nothing.
Should you’re touring with youngsters, you might be in for an actual deal with. We’ve taken our two and four-year-old to 14+ international locations, and Grand Cayman was THE most kid-friendly place we’ve ever been. I’ll share extra about why beneath (however belief me, your youngsters will adore it).
After spending a month seashore and exercise hopping, I’m sharing a listing of issues to do with youngsters in Grand Cayman together with suggestions for visiting this beautiful island.
The place to Keep in Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman shouldn’t be a giant island. To drive from one finish to the opposite would take us lower than an hour. Nevertheless, the place you keep will impression how a lot you may stroll and the sorts of actions close by.
We stayed in an space referred to as Seven Mile Seaside. That is the most well-liked space on the island and may be very walkable. If I have been to return, that is the realm I’d keep once more.
Seven Mile Seaside is called some of the lovely seashores on the planet! And it lives as much as the hype with fully clear water that stays calm. We’d spend mornings paddle boarding throughout the water, typically stopping at a close-by resort to seize espresso and muffins earlier than paddling again residence.
Why do I like to recommend staying on Seven Mile Seaside? (Apart from the truth that the seashore is unimaginable)
We didn’t hire a automobile for many of our time on Grand Cayman. (We rented when individuals came over us!)
On Seven Mile Seaside, we may stroll to eating places and entry all the things we would have liked inside a brief distance. Our favourite restaurant was Paradise Pizza. They’ve unimaginable brick oven pizza and a cool outside seating space the place our children befriended a few of the native cats. Plus, as my spouse famous, they’d wonderful gluten-free pizza and we may stroll there with out ever leaving the seashore.
Seven Mile Seaside is on the west aspect of Grand Cayman, making it the proper place to catch a sundown on the seashore.
The place we stayed on the seashore was one of many skinniest factors of the island, so we may stroll the width of the island in lower than ten minutes, even pushing the double stroller. We may watch the dawn over Camana Bay (which I’ll share extra about in a minute) and watch it set from our non-public seashore.
Seven Mile Seaside is the busiest, most touristy a part of the island. We’d see a number of cruise ships port every morning. Our VRBO had a non-public seashore space, however the remainder of Seven Mile Seaside was very busy on today.
If you would like a quieter tempo, I’d suggest Rum Level.
It’s a few 45-minute drive (or 20-minute boat journey) from Seven Mile Seaside and has a number of good eating places and seashores. If we weren’t touring with youngsters, I’d think about this space for a peaceable getaway. Rum Level can be proper subsequent to Starfish Level, one other cool spot I’ll point out beneath.
Nevertheless, if touring with youngsters, most actions and eating places are centered within the Seven Mile Seaside space. Should you keep in Rum Level, you’ll doubtless have to hire a automobile.
The place to Keep on Seven Mile Seaside
There are plenty of lodges and short-term leases in Seven Mile Seaside. Whereas we have been there in February and March, a few of the nightly resort charges have been as steep as $2,000 per night time! Should you’re touring with a bigger household or group, I like to recommend taking a look at short-term leases for a greater worth.
We stayed at a pal’s VRBO at Laguna Del Mar, a centrally positioned condominium complicated on Seven Mile Seaside. The complicated has a pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and epic grill setup. A few of our favourite nights concerned grilling whereas the youngsters performed within the pool and consuming on the picnic tables earlier than catching the sundown on the seashore.
To say we cherished our keep at Laguna Del Mar could be underselling it. It was paradise. We may stroll throughout the road to dozens of eating places, stroll the pedestrian path to Camana Bay and play within the splash pads, or stroll alongside the seashore for miles.
Our pal lately renovated his 3-bedroom unit at Laguna Del Mar, and you’ll hire it right here on VRBO. Can’t suggest Andy’s place sufficient! We keep in plenty of Airbnb spots around the globe, and fingers down, this was our favourite keep…ever.
The Greatest Resort in Grand Cayman
Based mostly on greater than 1,000 critiques, the Kimpton Seafire Resort is the #1 rated resort in Grand Cayman. I can attest to the truth that the resort is completely lovely.
We have now stayed at a number of Kimpton lodges through the years, and when given a alternative, they’re our favourite lodges (largely for the service, consideration to element, and facilities).
We heard the Kimpton Seafire Resort in Grand Cayman had a non-public waterpark, so we took the youngsters to play at some point. Throughout the offseason, they permit non-guests to buy day passes. Nevertheless, they simply allow us to in totally free because it was closing in half-hour (what did I let you know about Kimpton!?).
How a lot does the Kimpton Seafire Resort price?
It will depend on the season by which you’re visiting. Low season for Grand Cayman begins round April, so you can see decrease charges from then on. It was peak season once we visited throughout February, so a room prices as a lot as $2,000/night time.
Surprising, sure. Nonetheless full of individuals? Sure.
For a budget-friendly choice, you may guide the Vacation Inn on factors for cheaper than you may guide a resort in Amarillo. (It was underneath 18,000 factors per night time!)
Learn Extra: Journey Hacking: How We Journey for (Nearly) Free
Renting a Automobile In Grand Cayman
Relying on the place you keep in Grand Cayman, you could or could not want a automobile rental. Seven Mile Seaside is a really walkable space. Nevertheless, you will have a car if you wish to go to locations like Rum Level or the botanical gardens. We rented a number of autos throughout our keep to go on day excursions.
We rented from Andy’s Rental Automobile, which has two areas in Grand Cayman (one on the airport and one at Seven Mile Seaside). I felt the costs have been cheap and the employees have been form and honest. I’d hire from them once more if once we come again.
Different Transportation Choices in Grand Cayman
Should you don’t hire a automobile, you’ve got a number of different choices for getting round in Grand Cayman. One choice is to face on the aspect of the highway and hail a bus. They run up and down Seven Mile Seaside and can cease and decide you up. Every journey is a couple of dollars in money and it’s undoubtedly the most cost effective choice for getting round.
I say stand on the aspect of the highway as a result of there aren’t very clear bus stops, however you may flag down the bus simply. They aren’t conventional buses, however massive vans which might be clearly labeled.
There are additionally loads of cabs across the island you may name. You will notice them driving round and might flag one down as properly.
Lastly, there’s a water taxi service that departs from Camana Bay which you can take over to Rum Level. You may view their departure instances and fares right here.
Greatest Issues to Do in Grand Cayman with Children
1. Go to Camana Bay
On paper, Camana Bay is an outside procuring space boasting al fresco eating places and waterfront eating. But it surely’s a lot extra. There are outlets, Foster’s (assume Complete Meals, however island model), a marina the place excursions and boat leases take off by means of the mangroves, and infinite water options. No playgrounds have been walkable from our VRBO, however Camana Bay has two splash pads our children lived in all month!
We walked over right here shortly after arriving, and we have been blown away.
It felt like slightly paradise tucked away on the island. The very first thing I seen was what number of households with younger youngsters there have been. They have been in every single place. As we’d study, many of those households dwell right here as expats (however many go to too).
We ended up in Camana Bay each single day for a number of causes:
1. The splash pads. The youngsters cherished these and they’re shaded many of the day. Throughout hotter days, it was an excellent space to hang around for some time. Seize espresso from Jessie’s Juice Bar Cafe (or Starbucks for those who’re fundamental…like me…it’s proper subsequent to the splash pad, what can I say?)
2. It was a lovely stroll to begin our days.
As an alternative of merely making an overpass to Camana Bay, they constructed a complete jungle. You’ll see wild parrots, chickens, lizards, iguanas, and all types of wildlife simply in your stroll over the bridge. We made this a part of our morning ritual.
3. Grocery procuring.
There’s a handful of grocery shops close to Seven Mile Seaside, however we frequented Fosters. Fosters is mainly like a Complete Meals on the island. It is extremely good and costly. Cayman generally is pricey, however $10 for a bagged salad blew our minds.
Nevertheless, their ready meals part is nice and one of many most cost-effective methods to seize a meal in Grand Cayman! We’d seize a barbequed rooster, freshly grilled burgers, roast veggies, salad bar (means cheaper than shopping for a bag), curries, and extra.
4. Nice restaurant choice
Our favourite spot was referred to as Agua. Their dessert was unimaginable, and so they had an excellent ambiance for consuming out subsequent to the water.
Agua and most of the different eating places have been very good, however since seating is obtainable open air, they have been kid-friendly, too. Informal clothes like a sundress and sandals could be high quality. We tried many of the eating places alongside the waterfront, and Gelato & Co. additionally provides wonderful desserts.
(I imply, we tried actual meals, too…however the dessert sport is STRONG over right here!)
5. “The Island”
The Cayman Islands are made up of three main islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman is the most well-liked one with vacationers, however one other island is well-liked with locals. It’s the small, clearly artifical sand island in Camana Bay.
Related by a bridge, this little island was a kid-friendly paradise. Day-after-day, the native Montessori faculty would set free, and the entire youngsters would play on the island whereas their moms chatted.
Ellie would like to go throughout this time to make new pals and play disguise and search or catch the crab or regardless of the women have been taking part in.
2. Go to Starfish Level
That is on most lists of “issues to do in Grand Cayman” for good purpose. We took a number of journeys to Starfish Level as a result of the youngsters preferred it a lot. It’s a extremely shallow seashore space the place you may see tons of starfish within the water and contact them (although it’s necessary to by no means take them out of water). The water is usually calm, however because it’s on a degree, you may escape any wind by strolling to the opposite aspect.
You’ll see a lot of tour boats come out up to now and on busy days, a meals boat (like a meals truck, however a ship) will setup too. It’s an excellent little spot to spend the day.
Starfish Level is nearly an hour’s drive from the Seven Mile Seaside space however a really fairly and simple drive to make.
Professional tip: A recent fruit and juice stand is on the drive. I extremely suggest grabbing some recent mango pineapple juice and banana bread!
After hanging out at Starfish Level, you may drive to Rum Level for lunch. It’s too far to stroll, however you could possibly bike.
There’s a beachfront restaurant and bar with a shallow water space for teenagers to play in. We ate right here a number of instances and had nice meals (Minus the one time we ordered ceviche and acquired meals poisoning. Avoid the ceviche. Order the Colada Colada as a substitute).
3. Spend a Day on the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
Botanical parks could also be hit and miss with youngsters, however we visited this one twice. It’s slightly dear, and also you’ll want a automobile to get there. In any other case, we might’ve visited extra!
The flowers and timber have been lovely, and an unimaginable playground and splash pad have been inside for teenagers. Plus, there’s a complete sanctuary space for the big blue iguanas.
Strolling round, you may see parrots flying and iguanas within the paths. I’d price range for round a half-day go to to the Botanic Park throughout a keep in Grand Cayman.
It price us 60 Cayman {Dollars} for 2 adults, a four-year-old and a two-year-old (the youngest was free). They playground was a spotlight for the youngsters. It was largely shaded and included this four-story platform with swings and seating so you may climb to the highest and see panoramic views of the island.
The backyard is “divided” into a number of completely different gardens The Floral Color Backyard was my favourite. There’s additionally climbing trails to get from one aspect of the gardens to the iguana sanctuary.
We love to go to botanical gardens in each nation we go to and this was probably the greatest ones for the household. There’s no meals contained in the backyard (not less than it wasn’t open once we visited) however you may herald your personal meals. Simply be careful for iguanas who WILL steal your meals or chunk you to get it.
4. Discover the Cayman Turtle Centre
The Turtle Centre has been a staple in Grand Cayman for many years. It’s a preferred tour when cruise ships arrive in port, and for good purpose. It’s an excellent place to spend a day exploring and strolling round. Snorkeling within the park (together with a few water slides) can be accessible in case your youngsters are a bit older or good are swimmers.
We spent 3-4 hours strolling round, testing the turtles (even petting some) earlier than leaving. Our two-year-old’s spotlight was seeing them feed the nurse sharks on web site. It’s an excellent spot for a day journey with youngsters.
The most important shock of the turtle centre was the meals. The jerk rooster meal was:
- Sufficiently big for the 4 of us to separate. Superb worth.
- The BEST jerk rooster on the island. My spouse needed to return simply to eat that rooster once more. 10/10.
5. Seaside Hop
One factor I cherished about Grand Cayman was how straightforward it was to search out remoted areas of seashores with out massive crowds. Starfish Level and Seven Mile Seaside sometimes have crowds, however we additionally discovered it straightforward to flee and discover a secluded spot.
One in all our favourite seashores was referred to as Spotts Seaside. It’s an excellent spot for snorkeling and seeing sea turtles. Each instances we visited Spotts, it wasn’t very crowded, and we had a lot of the seashore to ourselves. Going early within the morning is a superb time for recognizing sea turtles. If in case you have the gear to snorkel, it’s potential to identify octopus, sea turtles, and extra.
One other nice seashore space is “Public Seaside,” which is over by Kimpton Sea Hearth Resort. There are a few good playgrounds to hang around at over right here, proper alongside the beachfront.
For snorkeling and a secluded seashore, strive Smith’s Seaside or Smith Barcadere. The seashore is small and quiet with loads of shade timber round. There are massive rock formations you may climb on to look into the brilliant blue waters. This seashore may be very near George City, the place the cruise ships port.
6. Pet Sting Rays at Sting Ray Metropolis
I do know what you’re pondering; I’m good, Heath. No have to pet a stingray.
Nevertheless, there’s a collection of shallow sandbars off the coast of Grand Cayman the place you may comfortably pet and expertise the stingrays. I used to be apprehensive a few four- and two-year-old. Was it protected? Would they care? After studying a bunch of critiques on Journey Advisor, we opted to offer it a strive.
Because it seems, the stingrays there are extremely docile. The tour guides have names for every stingray as they see them each day. They’ll even allow you to maintain them.
Our four-year-old was terrified and didn’t need to get into the water, nevertheless it was nonetheless a enjoyable journey for the adults whereas the youngsters frolicked within the boat. This space will get crowded whereas cruise ships are in port, so I like to recommend checking the cruise ship schedule for a day when there aren’t as many boats.
My spouse famous that the water is usually thought-about 3-4 toes deep, relying on circumstances. It was windy the morning we visited, and she or he placed on a life jacket because the waves would go over her head. (She’s 5’2″)
7. Hearken to Reside Music at Peppers Restaurant
One in all our children’ highlights was listening to music at Pepper’s Restaurant on Wednesday nights. They’ll have a band arrange and play cool island music. The youngsters dance and have a great time, and the meals is nice. We ended up coming again to Pepper’s on a number of events.
Honorable Point out
When my household visited us, we rented a big SUV and drove your entire island perimeter. We discovered a shipwreck, noticed the Blow Holes, ate at Tukka (which was wonderful, however there’s one nearer to Seven Mile Seaside too), and noticed the undeveloped aspect of the island. We needed to go to the Parrot Sanctuary, nevertheless it was closed the at some point we made it to the far aspect of the island! It was an excellent day, however not essentially the most kid-friendly and concerned plenty of being within the automobile.
Is Grand Cayman Value Visiting?
Should you haven’t already realized it from this put up, we cherished Grand Cayman. Not solely would I’m going again, however I’ve been actively pitching Alyssa to maneuver there since we left.
If it wasn’t the #1 most costly place to dwell on the planet, we may very well think about it. Should you’re on the fence about visiting Grand Cayman, it’s best to guide a visit to this unimaginable island.
I’m completely happy to reply any questions beneath relating to planning a visit to Grand Cayman. Simply drop a remark.
FAQs on Visiting Grand Cayman
What’s the greatest space of Grand Cayman to remain in?
Seven Mile Seaside is by far the most well-liked space to remain in when visiting Grand Cayman. It has a excessive density of eating places and actions and a lovely beachfront.
How costly is Grand Cayman?
Grand Cayman is ranked because the #1 most costly place to dwell in your entire world, in accordance with Expatistan. Whereas we have been there, paying $100 for a meal for 2 individuals was not unusual. The groceries and meals at eating places will certainly offer you sticker shock when you arrive. One Cayman greenback is $1.25 USD, so your bank card invoice will really feel the foreign money trade!
What’s the greatest time to go to Grand Cayman?
The very best time to go to Grand Cayman for climate causes is from December by means of February. The climate is nice and constant. Nevertheless, for those who go later within the shoulder season (April-Might), will probably be much less crowded with vacationers, and charges are cheaper.
Are US {dollars} accepted in Grand Cayman?
Sure, we may pay in USD or a bank card for each restaurant and retailer we visited. Most gadgets are marked in Cayman Islands {Dollars}, however there isn’t a downside with utilizing a bank card.
Can I drink the water in Grand Cayman?
The water is protected to drink in Grand Cayman, supplied by desalinated seawater made on the island.
Is Grand Cayman protected?
Grand Cayman may be very protected. Not as soon as did we ever really feel in a not protected surroundings. Our youngsters may run round freely and be youngsters throughout our whole keep.
What language is spoken in Grand Cayman?
English. Grand Cayman is a British Territory so the official language is English, the first language everybody on the island speaks.
What to do in Grand Cayman With Children
Grand Cayman is ideal for younger households. We frequently really feel like eating places or shops are aggravated once we stroll in with younger youngsters, however we all the time felt welcome in Cayman. Even when our daughter spilled her whole drink all around the ground at a restaurant, the employees was so form and useful. Should you’re searching for a tropical trip with younger kids, I can not suggest Cayman sufficient!