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In the event you’d requested me a couple of months in the past what I knew about Grand Cayman, the reply could be… that it’s an island within the Caribbean perhaps? This and the truth that “offshore accounts within the Caymans” are one thing folks 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 shortly grew to become my primary favourite place on this planet.
In case you are contemplating a visit to Grand Cayman, cease studying this and go ebook it now. You’ll remorse nothing.
In the event you’re touring with children, you’re 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 under (however belief me, your children will adore it).
After spending a month seashore and exercise hopping, I’m sharing a listing of issues to do with children in Grand Cayman together with ideas 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 influence how a lot you may stroll and the kinds of actions close by.
We stayed in an space known as Seven Mile Seashore. That is the preferred space on the island and could be very walkable. If I have been to return, that is the realm I’d keep once more.
Seven Mile Seashore is called one of the vital stunning seashores on this planet! And it lives as much as the hype with fully clear water that stays calm. We might spend mornings paddle boarding throughout the water, generally stopping at a close-by lodge to seize espresso and muffins earlier than paddling again residence.
Why do I like to recommend staying on Seven Mile Seashore? (Aside from the truth that the seashore is unbelievable)
We didn’t lease a automotive for many of our time on Grand Cayman. (We rented when folks came visiting us!)
On Seven Mile Seashore, we might stroll to eating places and entry all the pieces we wanted inside a brief distance. Our favourite restaurant was Paradise Pizza. They’ve unbelievable brick oven pizza and a cool outside seating space the place our youngsters befriended a number of the native cats. Plus, as my spouse famous, that they had wonderful gluten-free pizza and we might stroll there with out ever leaving the seashore.
Seven Mile Seashore is on the west facet 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 might stroll the width of the island in lower than ten minutes, even pushing the double stroller. We might watch the dawn over Camana Bay (which I’ll share extra about in a minute) and watch it set from our personal seashore. Each day was good!
Seven Mile Seashore is the busiest, most touristy a part of the island. We might see a number of cruise ships port every morning. Our VRBO had a non-public seashore space, however the remainder of Seven Mile Seashore was very busy on today.
If you’d like a quieter tempo, I’d suggest Rum Level.
It’s a couple of 45-minute drive (or 20-minute boat experience) from Seven Mile Seashore and has a couple of good eating places and seashores. If we weren’t touring with children, I’d contemplate this space for a peaceable getaway. Rum Level can also be proper subsequent to Starfish Level, one other cool spot I’ll point out under.
Nevertheless, if touring with children, most actions and eating places are centered within the Seven Mile Seashore space. In the event you keep in Rum Level, you’ll 100% have to lease a automotive.
The place to Keep on Seven Mile Seashore
There are lots of resorts and short-term leases in Seven Mile Seashore. Whereas we have been there in February and March, a number of the nightly lodge charges have been as steep as $2,000 per night time! In the event you’re touring with a bigger household or group, I like to recommend 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 Seashore. The complicated has a pool, health club, 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 beloved our keep at Laguna Del Mar could be underselling it. It was paradise. We might 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 just lately renovated his 3-bedroom unit at Laguna Del Mar, and you’ll lease it right here on VRBO. Can’t suggest Andy’s place sufficient! We keep in lots of Airbnb spots around the globe, and arms down, this was our favourite keep…ever.
The Greatest Resort in Grand Cayman
Primarily based on greater than 1,000 opinions, the Kimpton Seafire Resort is the #1 rated lodge in Grand Cayman. I can attest to the truth that the resort is totally stunning.
We’ve got stayed at a number of Kimpton resorts through the years, and when given a selection, they’re our favourite resorts (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 in the future. In the course of the offseason, they permit non-guests to buy day passes. Nevertheless, they only 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 relies on the season by which you’re visiting. Low season for Grand Cayman begins round April, so you will see that decrease charges from then on. It was peak season after we visited throughout February, so a room prices as a lot as $2,000/night time.
Surprising, sure. Nonetheless full of folks? Sure.
For a budget-friendly possibility, you may ebook the Vacation Inn on factors for cheaper than you may ebook a lodge in Amarillo. (It was below 18,000 factors per night time!)
Learn Extra: Journey Hacking: How We Journey for (Nearly) Free
Renting a Automotive In Grand Cayman
Relying on the place you keep in Grand Cayman, chances are you’ll or could not want a automotive rental. Seven Mile Seashore is a really walkable space. Nevertheless, you will want a car if you wish to go to locations like Rum Level or the botanical gardens. We rented a couple of autos throughout our keep to go on day excursions.
We rented from Andy’s Rental Automotive, which has two areas in Grand Cayman (one on the airport and one at Seven Mile Seashore). I felt the costs have been affordable and the employees have been type and honest. I’d lease from them once more if after we come again.
Different Transportation Choices in Grand Cayman
In the event you don’t lease a automotive, you may have a couple of different choices for getting round in Grand Cayman. One possibility is to face on the facet of the street and hail a bus. They run up and down Seven Mile Seashore and can cease and decide you up. Every experience is a couple of bucks in money and it’s undoubtedly the most cost effective possibility for getting round.
I say stand on the facet of the street 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 are clearly labeled.
There are additionally loads of cabs across the island you may name. You will note them driving round and might flag one down as nicely.
Lastly, there’s a water taxi service that departs from Camana Bay which you could take over to Rum Level. You’ll be able to view their departure occasions and fares right here.
Greatest Issues to Do in Grand Cayman with Children
1. Go to Camana Bay
On paper, Camana Bay is an out of doors purchasing space boasting al fresco eating places and waterfront eating. However it’s a lot extra. There are outlets, Foster’s (suppose Complete Meals, however island type), a marina the place excursions and boat leases take off by means of the mangroves, and limitless water options. No playgrounds have been walkable from our VRBO, however Camana Bay has two splash pads our youngsters lived in all month!
We walked over right here shortly after arriving, and we have been blown away.
It felt like a bit of paradise tucked away on the island. The very first thing I observed was what number of households with younger children there have been. They have been all over the place. As we’d be taught, many of those households reside right here as expats (however many go to too).
We ended up in Camana Bay each single day for a couple of causes:
1. The splash pads. The youngsters beloved these and they’re shaded a lot of the day. Throughout hotter days, it was an ideal space to hang around for some time. Seize espresso from Jessie’s Juice Bar Cafe (or Starbucks in case you’re fundamental…like me…it’s proper subsequent to the splash pad, what can I say?)
2. It was a wonderful stroll to start out 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 purchasing.
There’s a handful of grocery shops close to Seven Mile Seashore, however we frequented Fosters. Fosters is mainly like a Complete Meals on the island. It is rather good and costly. Cayman typically is dear, however $10 for a bagged salad blew our minds.
Nevertheless, their ready meals part is nice and one of many least expensive methods to seize a meal in Grand Cayman! We might seize a barbequed hen, freshly grilled burgers, roast veggies, salad bar (manner cheaper than shopping for a bag), curries, and extra.
4. Nice restaurant choice
Our favourite spot was known as Agua. Their dessert was unbelievable, and so they had an ideal ambiance for consuming out subsequent to the water.
Agua and lots 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 wonderful. We tried a lot of the eating places alongside the waterfront, and Gelato & Co. additionally presents 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 major islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman is the preferred one with vacationers, however one other island is in style 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. Each day, the native Montessori college would set free, and all the children would play on the island whereas their moms chatted.
Ellie would like to go throughout this time to make new mates and play disguise and search or catch the crab or regardless of the ladies have been enjoying.
2. Go to Starfish Level
That is on most lists of “issues to do in Grand Cayman” for good cause. We took a couple of journeys to Starfish Level as a result of the youngsters favored 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 vital to by no means take them out of water). The water is mostly calm, however because it’s on some extent, you may escape any wind by strolling to the opposite facet.
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 ideal little spot to spend the day.
Starfish Level is sort of an hour’s drive from the Seven Mile Seashore 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 possibly can 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 occasions and had nice meals (Minus the one time we ordered ceviche and bought 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 children, however we visited this one twice. It’s a bit of dear, and also you’ll want a automotive to get there. In any other case, we’d’ve visited extra!
The flowers and bushes have been stunning, and an unbelievable playground and splash pad have been inside for teenagers. Plus, there’s a complete sanctuary space for the massive blue iguanas.
Strolling round, you may see parrots flying and iguanas within the paths. I’d finances 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 totally different gardens The Floral Color Backyard was my favourite. There’s additionally mountaineering trails to get from one facet of the gardens to the iguana sanctuary.
We love to go to botanical gardens in each nation we go to and this was among the finest ones for the household. There’s no meals contained in the backyard (a minimum of it wasn’t open after we visited) however you may herald your individual 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 well-liked tour when cruise ships arrive in port, and for good cause. It’s an ideal place to spend a day exploring and strolling round. Snorkeling within the park (together with a few water slides) can also be obtainable in case your children 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 ideal spot for a day journey with children.
The most important shock of the turtle centre was the meals. The jerk hen meal was:
- Sufficiently big for the 4 of us to separate. Superb worth.
- The BEST jerk hen on the island. My spouse needed to return simply to eat that hen once more. 10/10.
5. Seashore Hop
One factor I beloved about Grand Cayman was how simple it was to search out remoted areas of seashores with out massive crowds. Starfish Level and Seven Mile Seashore usually have crowds, however we additionally discovered it simple to flee and discover a secluded spot.
One among our favourite seashores was known as Spotts Seashore. It’s an ideal spot for snorkeling and seeing sea turtles. Each occasions 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 Seashore,” 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 Seashore or Smith Barcadere. The seashore is small and quiet with loads of shade bushes round. There are massive rock formations you may climb on to look into the brilliant blue waters. This seashore could 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 sequence 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 couple of four- and two-year-old. Was it secure? Would they care? After studying a bunch of opinions 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 day by day. They’ll even allow you to maintain them.
Our four-year-old was terrified and didn’t wish to get into the water, however 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 ft deep, relying on situations. 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 Dwell Music at Peppers Restaurant
One among our youngsters’ 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 very good 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 Seashore too), and noticed the undeveloped facet of the island. We needed to go to the Parrot Sanctuary, however it was closed the in the future we made it to the far facet of the island! It was an ideal day, however not essentially the most kid-friendly and concerned lots of being within the automotive.
Is Grand Cayman Value Visiting?
In the event you haven’t already realized it from this publish, we beloved Grand Cayman. Not solely would I am 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 reside on this planet, we may very well contemplate it. In the event you’re on the fence about visiting Grand Cayman, it’s best to ebook a visit to this unbelievable island.
I’m completely happy to reply any questions under 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 Seashore is by far the preferred space to remain in when visiting Grand Cayman. It has a excessive density of eating places and actions and a wonderful beachfront.
How costly is Grand Cayman?
Grand Cayman is ranked because the #1 most costly place to reside in your entire world, in keeping with Expatistan. Whereas we have been there, paying $100 for a meal for 2 folks was not unusual. The groceries and meals at eating places will certainly provide you with sticker shock when you arrive. One Cayman greenback is $1.25 USD, so your bank card invoice will really feel the forex change!
What’s the greatest time to go to Grand Cayman?
One of the best time to go to Grand Cayman for climate causes is from December by means of February. The climate is nice and constant. Nevertheless, in case you go later within the shoulder season (April-Could), it will likely be much less crowded with vacationers, and charges are cheaper.
Are US {dollars} accepted in Grand Cayman?
Sure, we might pay in USD or a bank card for each restaurant and retailer we visited. Most objects are marked in Cayman Islands {Dollars}, however there isn’t a drawback with utilizing a bank card.
Can I drink the water in Grand Cayman?
The water is secure to drink in Grand Cayman, offered by desalinated seawater made on the island.
Is Grand Cayman secure?
Grand Cayman could be very secure. Not as soon as did we ever really feel in a not secure atmosphere. Our children might run round freely and be children throughout our total 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 irritated after we stroll in with younger children, however we all the time felt welcome in Cayman. Even when our daughter spilled her total drink everywhere in the ground at a restaurant, the employees was so type and useful. In the event you’re searching for a tropical trip with younger kids, I can’t suggest Cayman sufficient!
