How to get around Cayman Islands

Getting around

Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman is the gateway and the base of Cayman Airways, which also flies to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman; cruise ships anchor off George Town from Tuesday to Friday and tender their passengers ashore. Taxis at the airport are dispatched first come, first served by the ground transport attendant on a national fare schedule set by the Ministry since 2 August 2019, priced for a party of four with the first two bags free and after-hours fares scheduled rather than surcharged; they wait at every resort and at the cruise dock. The schedule itself is not printed on the airport's page, so no fares are given here. Safe public minibuses run the main roads and can be flagged down anywhere along them.

Traffic drives on the left. A visitor's driving permit is required and issued at rental counters, the licensing department or the police station against a passport, the immigration card received on arrival and a home licence, for a CI$16 fee; road conditions are poor in some areas, and mopeds and scooters are as available as cars. Keep the arrival immigration card, which may be asked for on departure.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

Entry

A passport valid for the duration of the stay; no visa for tourism or business up to six months, extendable case by case; border officials may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds. Keep the immigration card issued on arrival with your travel documents for departure. Declare anything dutiable, including business samples, which must leave with you. No work without a permit.

Airport and taxis

Taxis dispatched at the airport curb first come, first served; national fare schedule (2 August 2019) for parties of up to four, first two pieces of luggage free, after-hours fares scheduled. Taxis also at all resorts and the George Town cruise dock.

Buses and driving

Public minibuses on the main roads, flagged down anywhere. Left-hand traffic. Visitor's driving permit compulsory: rental counter, licensing department or police station, passport + arrival card + home licence, CI$16. Roads poor in places; mopeds, scooters and hire cars everywhere.

Botanic park

9 a.m.–5.30 p.m., last admission 4.30; closed Christmas Day and Good Friday; adults CI$20 (US$25), children 3–12 CI$10 (US$12.50), under-3s free; free map at the entrance.

Money

Cayman dollar and US currency interchangeable; CI$ notes of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1; many ATMs take overseas cards; most hotels and restaurants take credit cards.

Sea rules

Visitors may fish catch-and-release from shore only and may not remove any marine life.

Emergency numbers

911 for police, ambulance and fire; police non-emergency +1 (345) 949-4222. No Canadian office on the islands.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Traffic drives on the left; a visitor's driving permit is required, issued by rental agencies or the licensing department against a passport, the arrival immigration card and a home licence for a CI$16 fee; road conditions are poor in places; safe public minibuses run the main roads and taxis, mopeds, scooters and rental cars are widely available, No tourist visa for stays up to six months; a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are required; the currency is the Cayman Islands dollar and most hotels and restaurants take credit cards, Traffic drives on the left; a visitor's driving permit is required, issued by rental agencies or the licensing department against a passport, the arrival immigration card and a home licence for a CI$16 fee; road conditions are poor in places; safe public minibuses run the main roads and taxis, mopeds, scooters and rental cars are widely available, Dial 911 for emergency assistance; there is no Canadian government office in the Cayman Islands; the islands are in an active seismic area though most tremors pass unnoticed (September 2026).
Checked against Cayman Islands Department of Tourism — Public buses stop in the busier districts and can be flagged down anywhere along the road; taxis wait at the airport dispatcher, at all resorts and at the cruise dock in George Town; a temporary driver's licence is issued at any rental counter or at the police station, Keep the immigration card issued on arrival with your travel documents, as it may be required on departure; business samples must be declared and leave with you; no work without a permit, Keep the immigration card issued on arrival with your travel documents, as it may be required on departure; business samples must be declared and leave with you; no work without a permit, Public buses stop in the busier districts and can be flagged down anywhere along the road; taxis wait at the airport dispatcher, at all resorts and at the cruise dock in George Town; a temporary driver's licence is issued at any rental counter or at the police station, A passport is needed to enter; the Cayman dollar and US currency are used interchangeably, with notes of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1; many ATMs take overseas cards; public nudity including topless sunbathing is prohibited; visitors may fish catch-and-release from shore only and may not remove marine life (September 2026).
Checked against Cayman Islands Airports Authority — Airport taxis are dispatched first come, first served by the ground transport attendant; a national taxi fare schedule set by the Ministry has applied since 2 August 2019, rates cover a party of four, the first two pieces of luggage are free and after-hours fares are scheduled rather than surcharged, Airport taxis are dispatched first come, first served by the ground transport attendant; a national taxi fare schedule set by the Ministry has applied since 2 August 2019, rates cover a party of four, the first two pieces of luggage are free and after-hours fares are scheduled rather than surcharged (September 2026).
Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Passport valid for the duration of the stay; up to six months without a visa for business or tourism, extendable case by case; border officials may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds; declare anything dutiable (September 2026).
Checked against Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park — Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park: open 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., last admission 4.30, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday; visitor rates from 1 July CI$20 (US$25) adults, CI$10 (US$12.50) children 3–12, under-3s free; a free park map at the entrance (September 2026).