Cayman Islands is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. With some of the best stretches of sand, verdant forests, diverse animal and bird species as well as awe-inspiring underwater shipwrecks, Cayman Islands give its visitors every reason to love spending time here. Even in the Canyon Islands, the Grand Cayman is the place where all the action is. With most of the tourist activities centred here, the Grand Cayman has ample avenues for impressing visitors with varying interests.
Here are top five places you can visit in the Grand Cayman depending on expectations from your holiday:
For Beach Fun
Pick up any travel guide to the Grand Cayman Island, and staring at you from with its coral sands will be the renowned Seven Mile Beach. Lauded as one of the Caribbean’s best beaches by many leading travel magazines, the Seven Mile Beach is ideal for spending a day putting your toes into the sand. A majority of islands’ luxury resorts and hotels are lined up on the beach along with some of the best restaurants and bars, making it a wholesome destination for a day well spent. You can also choose to snorkel its warm and clear waters from the beach.
For An Encounter with the Wildlife
Once boasting a large population of turtles, the Grand Cayman Islands now are struggling to preserve the animal; but not at Cayman Turtle Farm, a conservation facility for turtles. Popular for its endangered Green Sea Turtle, the farm is home to over 16,000 turtles of varying sizes. The visitors can take the dry tour of the farm or they can opt for the wet tour. The wet tour gives you a chance to snorkel in an artificial lagoon. Besides turtles, a nature trail and a butterfly garden also serve as major attractions here.
For a Hike amidst the Greens
If you enjoy hiking amidst the woods, meeting your friends from the animal and plant kingdom, then the Mastic Trail will fit perfectly in your Grand Cayman itinerary. The 200-year trail leads you through a native mangrove swamp as well as a 2 million year old woodland area. The trail is flat and ideal for beginners. The Cayman Islands National Trust also organises guided walks through the Mastic Reserve which increase your chances of spotting the white-crowned pigeons, Cuban amazons, Caribbean elaenias, thick-billed vireos, Yucatan vireos and vitelline warblers.
For Connoisseurs and Appreciators of Art
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is a place to witness the art work centred on the Caymanian culture, customs and life in general. Besides the permanent collection, the museum organises up to eight temporary exhibitions a year for the promotion of visual arts. Another great place for the exploration of local arts is Pure Art Gallery and Gift, a small museum housed in a stunning cottage and carrying art pieces matching every budget from budding Caymanian artists.
For Lovers of Good Food and Entertainment
The Grand Cayman is the hub of some of the best cafes in the Cayman Islands, including the Over the Edge Cafe toward the north side of the island. The cafe is known for the freshness of the dishes served, each of them cooked with vegetables grown by the farmers, and fresh seafood caught for the day. Justifying its reputation as the place where the best food is found in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman is also home to some of the best restaurants including Ortanqiue, Rum Point, Duke’s, Sunshine Grill, The Brasserie as well as the Waterfront Urban Diner.
