Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Essence of the Caribbean on This Island

The Cayman Islands are infused with rich culture, history, and heritage across its three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. With deep-rooted connections to various countries throughout history, you’ll encounter British, Afro-Caribbean, and Jamaican influences. Island favorites like jerk chicken, beef patties, and ackee and saltfish are culinary staples. Home to over 130 nationalities, Cayman boasts diverse and fusion cuisines, a vibrant arts scene, and unique architectural styles and customs.

Charming cottages made of wattle and daub, reflecting an 18th-century architectural style, along with historic churches, embellish the island. During festive seasons, yards are transformed with powdery white sand, artfully raked into patterns and adorned with conch shells, creating a “white Christmas.” These picturesque scenes serve as a rich backdrop for museums, culinary delights, and genuine experiences that offer insights into what it means to be Caymanian during your visit.

Explore the past at the museums of the Cayman Islands and beyond

Exploring the exhibits at the Cayman Islands National Museum in George Town offers a profound glimpse into the cultural heritage shaped by its diverse inhabitants over the years. The museum showcases a variety of artifacts that reflect Cayman’s history of turtling, shipbuilding, and rope-making, while sea fossils and specimens emphasize its geological and environmental significance. Artistic interpretations are highlighted through paintings and sculptures. Additionally, you can immerse yourself in the island's rich maritime history with a self-guided driving tour along the Maritime Heritage Trail, featuring key sites across three islands, including the Wreck of the Ten Sail in Grand Cayman, the Cayman Brac Lighthouse, and the spot where Christopher Columbus first sighted the Cayman Islands in Little Cayman.

Discover Pedro St. James in Savannah, a heritage museum located in an 18th-century plantation house recognized as the “birthplace of democracy” in the Cayman Islands. This historic site was once the residence of the island's governors. Join periodic thatch classes at the Mission House Historic Site, where local artisans teach you to weave hats, baskets, or ropes using the silver thatch palm, a traditional material utilized for centuries for thatched roofs and various goods.

Art, storytelling, and music

Cayman boasts a vibrant art community, featuring its own national orchestra, dance company, and drama society. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands showcases a wealth of inspiration through both permanent and temporary collections from local artists, illustrating the islands’ history through portraits, paintings, photographs, and traditional crafts. The Gimistory festival, held at various venues across Grand Cayman, brings together professional storytellers from around the globe to enchant audiences with folklore, myths, and legends, igniting laughter, imagination, and drama.

You don’t need to visit a museum or a festival to enjoy Cayman’s artistic culture. Enjoy live performances by local musicians while sipping drinks or dining at a nearby restaurant. There’s live music every night, with popular weekend venues like Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden in George Town, Next Door in Camana Bay, and Saint June and Silver Palm along Seven Mile Beach being especially vibrant.

Savor the flavors of Cayman

If food is the finest gateway to a culture, Cayman presents numerous chances for a delightful culinary experience. Explore stalls filled with freshly caught fish, homemade pepper jelly, zesty escovitch sauce, and locally sourced produce like cassava, callaloo, and cala at farmers’ markets at the Cricket Grounds or Camana Bay. Don’t miss the warm coconut rolls or a loaf of banana bread from the beloved Pioneer Bakery in Cayman Brac.

For more baked delights, visit the Tortuga Rum Cakes factory, where you can discover the process behind these popular treats available in shops and duty-free stores across the Caribbean and beyond. The tour concludes with a tasting of various flavors, including the classic Golden Original Rum Cake.

When it’s time to dine, reserve a charming table on a waterfront veranda at Cayman Cabana in George Town. Here, you can indulge in a family-style, four-course farm-to-table dinner featuring local and sustainable ingredients such as snapper, guava, and Scotch bonnet peppers. Alternatively, enjoy a meal under a palapa at Grape Tree Café in Bodden Town, a thatched-roof beachfront shack, where you can savor local favorites like fried fish and fritters or ackee and saltfish.