Famous for its cool beats and good vibes, the Caribbean draws visitors from different parts of the world every year. However, with its growing popularity also comes an increasingly common concern about its safety. So, is Grand Cayman safe? This article answers this question and provides useful information about the island.
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But first of all, let’s talk about why Grand Cayman is becoming more and more popular among tourists. The Grand Cayman is the biggest and most populated of the Cayman Islands. Despite its small size, it has a huge variety of accommodations to fit all types of travelers. No matter what kind of budget you have and what facilities you're looking for, you're sure to find something to your taste in Grand Cayman. With an advanced tourist industry and a great number of lodging options, this place is extremely visitor-friendly.
Sightseeing Attractions
Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is generally labeled one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. It's a fascinating place to go if you’re looking to experience extraordinary natural beauty. In fact, it's so beautiful that you can see it on the cover of many magazines and postcards.
In George Town, the main sites to visit include Fort George, the Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum. Meanwhile, on the north side, the National Trust's Mastic Trail and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park are some of the attractions that should not be missed.
In the west bay, you will find the Cayman Turtle Farm, which is home to more than 14,000 turtles. This is also where you will find Hell, a mysterious area with unique rock formations that recall what hell may look like.
We recommend: If you're short on time and would like a convenient introduction to the best of what Grand Cayman has to offer, you can't go wrong with the West Bay and 7 Mile Beach tour. This top-rated tour takes you on a day cruise to all of the island's highlights. You will learn how the famous Tortuga rum cakes are made, see dolphins up close in Dolphin Cove, witness the black limestone rock formations of "Hell," and have time to swim and relax at 7 Mile Beach.
Outdoor Attractions
Stingray City is definitely one of the most popular attractions in Grand Cayman. There, you can walk into the sandbar and immerse yourself waist-deep into the warm water that is home to a lot of stingrays.
Some tour companies offer guided treks through the forests of the island, which is a perfect option if you're looking for something more adventurous. This is a chance to spot many fascinating creatures, since the rainforests of Grand Cayman are home to a lot of exotic wildlife.
Kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, parasailing, and riding a jet ski are some of the common activities you can enjoy.
Insider's tip: Horse-riding is also very popular on Grand Cayman, and is a particularly magical way to explore the island. We highly recommend booking the one-of-a-kind Ride 'n' Swim tour. This bestselling horseback tour allows you to ride along the beach leisurely while enjoying the scenery, before taking a refreshing dip in the sea - still astride your horse! It's a truly unique experience and our favorite way to discover the island.
Book one of our recommended Grand Cayman tours:
Nightlife
Grand Cayman is famous for its shopping opportunities, so you can expect to see plenty of shops all over the island - although many of them are concentrated in the George Town area. The best dining and drinking experiences can be found on West Bay Road, which is not too far from Seven Mile Beach. This area features restaurants serving amazing fresh seafood and bars playing live music.
Now, Back to the Important Question: Is Grand Cayman Safe?
Even though Grand Cayman is an extremely casual and friendly island, it still comes with a few negative aspects, and one of those is the growing crime rate.
While the crime rate used to be lower in Grand Cayman than in many other places in the Cayman Islands, the island has seen an increase in criminal activities in recent years. Thankfully, Crime Stoppers are continuously doing their best to keep both tourists and locals safe at all times.
Of course, just like in many places in the world, you still need to watch out for petty crime. It is important to always stay vigilant and cautious when carrying important belongings with you, as pickpockets are quite common, especially in crowded markets.
If you are worried about walking down the street as a solo traveler, no need! It is generally fine to walk around by yourself, especially during the day. Of course, you should exercise a little extra caution at night.
Ultimately, despite the small recent increase, Cayman still has an extremely low crime rate, and serious, violent crime is rare. Regulations keep vendors off the beach and away from other tourist hangouts, so you won’t be bothered by hawkers. Petty crimes of opportunity do occur, so keep an eye on your valuables.
Other Things to Look Out For to Have a Safe Grand Cayman Trip
Now that we've answered the question "Is Grand Cayman safe?" and established that the island is not particularly dangerous, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind to enjoy a trouble-free vacation!
Travel Insurance
Granted, this is not the most exciting part of travel planning. But past experiences and the horror stories we've heard from other travelers have taught us never to travel abroad without reliable travel medical coverage, and we recommend you don't either! We use SafetyWing, a flexible and affordable provider that can protect you against mishaps from just $1.32 per day. If you ask us, it's a steal to be able to enjoy your holiday with greater peace of mind!
If you're looking for more extensive coverage that also protects you against theft of your electronics and belongings and covers you for all types of sports and activities, World Nomads is a pricier but more comprehensive option used by many global travelers.
Critters
Be careful while enjoying the beaches or swimming around the reefs and rocks. Stonefish or Scorpionfish are unbelievably well-camouflaged, and they might be hiding somewhere near you! The good thing is that they won’t attack you unless you disturb them. There are also stingrays and jellyfish you should be careful of. Again, swim away when you see one. It is also advisable to always wear mosquito repellent lotion, as bugs are quite a problem in some areas.
Dress Code
Shorts and casual wear are appropriate enough for most restaurants. However, some upscale restaurants that may require their guests to wear long pants for dinner. As a rule, scanty beachwear is frowned upon beyond pool and beach areas. Out of courtesy, tourists must wear proper clothing to respect the country's culture. It’s also worth noting that there is no nude beach in Grand Cayman, so skinny dipping or going topless is inappropriate.
Water
Grand Cayman has modern infrastructure, so you will be happy to know that it delivers clean and safe water all over the island. Even tap water is generally safe to consume and cook with.
For Gay Travelers
For gay travelers visiting the Cayman Islands, it is best to keep it low-key. If you’re planning to travel as a gay couple, being discreet might be necessary as this is not a gay-friendly location. As a primarily Christian nation and not an excessively progressive one, homosexuality is not tolerated in the country, and is in fact considered illegal. Because of this, you will not find any gay-friendly hotels, bars, or resorts.
Emergency Number
Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, some unexpected challenges can occasionally arise. In case you are in the country and need help, don’t hesitate to call the emergency line.
Like in the USA, Grand Cayman uses 911 as an emergency hotline.
Top planning tips for your Grand Cayman trip
Accommodation
Like other Caribbean islands, Grand Cayman has some of the world's most lavish accommodation. Whether you prefer to stay in a luxury all-inclusive resort, in a charming guesthouse, or to rent your own villa on the beach, there's bound to be a dream place calling your name on the island! Booking.com is our go-to platform to find the best range of options at the best prices on Grand Cayman.
Check out your accommodation options now.
Car rental
Keen to get your own wheels to explore the island? We recommend booking your rental car from Grand Cayman Airport in George Town online ahead of your trip through Discover Cars. This user-friendly comparison platform has become our go-to for finding and booking car rentals around the world. It offers the best and most reliable selection of vehicles for all types of budgets, as well as an easy booking and rental process. You can search and compare offers, and potentially save up to 70% on early bookings.
Find a great value rental car.
Protect our planet!
If you're planning some snorkeling or diving to explore the coral reefs around Grand Cayman, make sure to invest in reef-friendly, mineral sunscreen. Garbage disposal and plastic recycling also tend to be limited on islands, so try to limit your single-use plastic consumption by carrying a refillable water bottle. We love this Brita model, as it comes with a built-in filtering system, combining two benefits in one!
Pick up a good, up-to-date guidebook
Our favorites in 2022 are Fodor's Cayman Islands, which is packed with useful information and full-color illustrations, and of course the very detailed, bestselling Lonely Planet Caribbean Islands (a better choice if you're going to take in several islands).
There are a few other guidebook series we like as well. If you're not sure which guidebook imprint is right for your style of travel and your tastes, check out our article, Top 5 Best Travel Guidebooks to Buy in 2022.
So, to answer the question "Is Grand Cayman safe?": YES, Grand Cayman is generally a safe place to travel. Whether you are roaming solo or traveling with someone, as long as you know the information mentioned above, you will likely not stumble across any problem during your trip.
If you are one of the people wondering about safety on Grand Cayman, hopefully this article answered the question for you. If you have other tips or questions on this topic, don’t hesitate to drop us a line in the comment box below!