The Caribbean is full of things to love — some of the best beaches in the world, cerulean blue water and a great food and beverage scene for starters. So how do you choose which picture perfect destination to visit?
The Cayman Islands, with its boundless options for diving, dining, sailing and imbibing, is a sound choice. The British Overseas Territory located in the Western Caribbean is comprised of three islands — Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman — giving you plenty of options for your vacation. Whether you want total relaxation and solitude, an adventurous escapade or lively nightlife, the Cayman Islands has it in spades.
From brunch to botanical gardens and buffing up on history, we cruise around the stunning Caribbean destination and whittle down the 12 best things to see and eat in the Cayman Islands.
1. Become a Beach Bum
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I’m not usually one to lounge the day away, but there is something about the powdery white sand beaches and the warm, aquamarine Caribbean Sea that happily turns me into a Caymanian seaside sloth. There's beachside reading, cocktails and snacks, paddle boarding and pickle ball. At our hotel, the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa, we watched a glorious sunset and live music, each and every night.
2. Meet the Blue Iguanas
The Blue Iguana Conservation is home to the Grand Cayman blue iguanas, large ground-dwelling lizards indigenous only to Cayman. There were once tens of thousands of them roaming the island, but by 2001 the population had dwindled to 30. The Blue Iguana Conservation’s (BIC) captive breeding facility brought the population back from the brink — today, there are almost 1000. Currently home to about 100 blue iguanas, BIC is where you can take a tour of the semi-wild habitats with knowledgeable wardens like Joe.
3. Brunch like Royalty
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Sunday brunch is a big deal on the island: We’re talking splashy buffets at most hotels and restaurants, where families and friends gather for bottomless mimosas and glorious spreads as if every Sunday were a special occasion. Because here, it is. The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa’s Sunday Brunch is a cornucopia of hand-rolled sushi, live action carving stations and rotating features from the team of international chefs, from Sri Lankan hoppers and Indian curries to desserts like Snickers-inspired entremets and caramel crème brûlé.
4. Pucker Up with a Stingray
Take a catamaran from SaveHaven Marina with Red Sail Sports for the incredible Eco-Safari excursion to Stingray City, a series of shallow sandbars found in the North Sound of Grand Cayman. Standing in the gorgeously clear water, the rays swim up to you and guides help you hold them safely. Rumour has it, a kiss from a ray brings 10 years of good luck. Then, it’s off to amazing snorkelling nearby at a shallow coral reef, and Starfish Point, where you can see a large collection of full-grown starfish. Hot tip: Wake up early and hit the 7:30 a.m. first boat tour before the cruise ship day-trippers arrive.
5. Dine in Style
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At the Westin Grand Cayman, our "table-for-two" was a whole private dinner on the sand with tiki torches blistering all around. The romantic evening was the set for the special Toes in the Sand dinner experience.
Sip cocktails and wine from the hotel’s Beach House restaurant, and dine on their greatest hits like a bread tasting with four different butters, jumbo lump crab cakes on mango curry sauce, and butter-poached lobster and wild shrimp tossed with fresh tagliatelle. Marry me.
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Tillies is snother must-try restaurant. Hidden away in a boutique hotel, it looks like a luxe tropical movie set. Thursday nights are their famous Burgers and Lobster night, which includes a fantastic burger and fries, a lobster tail, and a glass of wine for a price that doesn’t reflect the chic surrounds (read: it’s a bargain). Dress to impress.
6. Learn an Important History Lesson
Amy Rosen
The national historic site of Pedro St. James is known as the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. This is where the decision was made to elect the country’s first parliament in 1831 — and in 1835, the proclamation was made to end slavery in the British Empire. During a guided tour of Pedro St. James Castle, walk through the historic rooms and learn how the tropical castle’s household, and the country, was run. Meanwhile, take in uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea from the Pedro St. James Bluff and the historic grounds.
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Pro tip: Have lunch at the abutting Thatch & Barrel for local dishes like young coconut ceviche and barrel-smoked jerk chicken, paired with a tall glass of Cayman Swanky (a sweetened citrusy drink akin to iced tea).
7. Lunch Like a Local
The colourful seaside shack Heritage Kitchen, on Boggy Sand Road, dishes out smiles and traditional Caymanian specialties. Sit at a picnic table with aquamarine views and dive into tender conch fritters, grouper with coconut sauce and snapper escabeche, all served with rice and slaw, fry bread and much love.
8. Hit the Markets
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Visit the small but mighty seaside fish market: a couple of tables, a few boats and a lot of friendly fishermen pulling in local catches from early morning until midday. Then, head to the Hamlin Stephenson Farmers’ Market at the Cricket Grounds in George Town for fresh veggies and fruit, snacks, art and crafts. This is one of the Caribbean islands with lots of fresh local plots growing everything from peppery arugula and scotch bonnet peppers to more than 50 types of mangoes.
Among the vendors is Sara Mair-Doak — if she looks familiar it’s because she was on Top Chef — who dishes out Island-infused salads and breadfruit tacos. Other vendors blend fresh juices, local hot sauces, and fermented coconut and pineapple vinegars.
9. Have Fun at a Food Festival
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An alternative to the swanky, annual Cayman Cookout, hosted by chef Eric Ripert, the homegrown Taste of Cayman Food & Drink Festival is more approachable, and beloved by locals. The food festival explores the rich culinary heritage of the islands through events and demonstrations.
Listen to local Caymanian music while experiencing some of the best culinary experiences that the island has to offer, from heavy cake to goat sliders. We watched the Food Network Canada’s Top Chef Canada Season 10 winner Tre Sanderson compete against Fire Masters’ host Dylan Benoit (who owns a local bespoke butcher shop called Carnivore) for the best steak sandwich. Food Network funny man chef Jeff Mauro hosted a hilarious cooking presentation, and all of it was capped off by spectacular fireworks.
10. Tour the Stills
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If you like rum, look no further than Cayman Spirits Co., where we learned how their handcrafted rum is made in their signature stills. Their premium Seven Fathoms rum is aged in American white oak bourbon casks, which are stored at the bottom of the sea, hidden like treasure in secret spots around the island.
During our visit, we were lucky enough to enjoy an extensive rum tasting with co-owner Walker Romanica. We were overwhelmed by all the bounty to sample and buy, from rums and vodka to liqueurs infused with local berries, as well as their rum-infused coffee beans and signature barbecue sauce.
11. Soak in the Botanicals
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The 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park serves as a spectacular habitat for birds, animals, trees and flowers native to the Caribbean. As you wind your way through lush paths and boardwalks, with birds flying overhead and lizards slithering underfoot, you’ll notice the largest concentration of orchid varieties in the Caribbean.
Stay for an hour or hours, taking in the sights, scents and sounds of the floral colour garden; the heritage garden, which showcases plants that played an important role in Cayman’s history; the Xerophytic garden, which serves as a model for locals who want to grow low-maintenance gardens of their own; the lake; and, my favourite, the orchids, including four species found nowhere else on earth.
12. Sip on the Local Cocktail Culture
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Within the next five years, Cayman is poised to become one of the cocktail capitals of the world. A smart brood of former global brand ambassadors and World’s 50 best mixologist winners have already descended on the island, and are launching incredible bars like the Kimpton Seafire’s newest culinary concept, Library by the Sea. You won't meet a more passionate GM than Jim Wrigley, who is taking as much joy in developing the cocktail concepts as he is building the library of books.
Meanwhile, Door No. 4 cocktail bar does incredible mixed and batch-made cocktails. Some are clarified, and many take several days to achieve. I loved my Kudo Cooler, featuring gin, cucumber sake, homemade mango leaf cordial and mango skin essence.
The new infusion of barkeeps has also meant new distilleries. The fantastic Blue Iguana Gin, made by the upstart Grand Cayman Distillery, is infused with some of the blue iguana’s favourite foods, along with hibiscus and sea grapes. Best of all, $3 from each bottle goes to the Blue Iguana Conservation.
