Practical information for visiting Cayman Islands

Money & payments

The currency is the Cayman Islands dollar, CI$, pegged at CI$1 to US$1.20 since 1 April 1974, and the tourism department says US currency is used interchangeably; Cayman notes come in 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 dollars, change may come in either currency, and prices in the resorts are often quoted in both. Most hotels and restaurants take credit cards and many ATMs accept overseas debit and credit cards, with the home bank's fees on top. The botanic park charges CI$20 or US$25. Tipping is not summarised here until it has been read on an authority's page.

Verified against Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, September 2026.

Stay safe (2026 security update)

Canada advises normal security precautions and both advisories call the crime rate very low, with occasional pickpocketing and bag-snatching. The specific counsel is small and worth taking: use a hotel safe and check it is bolted down; guard the passport, because it cannot be renewed or replaced on the islands, carry a copy of its photo page and report any loss to the police in writing; do not take valuables to the beach or walk alone to deserted beaches or unlit areas after dark. Sexual assaults occur and women travelling alone may meet harassment; never leave a drink unattended.

The season is the larger risk: hurricanes from June to November on islands that lie at sea level, with Ivan's eight-foot surge of 2004 as the reference; install the government's free emergency alert app. The islands are in an active seismic area.

Drugs of any kind can bring up to 35 years in prison and unlimited fines. There is no recent history of terrorism.

Health considerations

Call 911 for an ambulance. Grand Cayman has three well-equipped hospitals, two in George Town and one in the east, and Cayman Brac the smaller Faith Hospital for routine care; treatment is expensive and serious cases are stabilised and flown to the USA, so insurance must cover evacuation. The advisories name Zika and dengue as risks. Tap water and pharmacies are not summarised here because no authority page opened for this page spoke to them.

Local laws & etiquette

Drugs: up to 35 years' imprisonment and unlimited fines for any kind. Nudity, including topless sunbathing, is prohibited, and businesses ask for shoes and a cover-up. Sundays: many shops, banks and services close. Marine life: visitors may fish catch-and-release from shore only and may remove nothing from the sea. Immigration card: keep it for departure. Work: none without a permit, and business samples must be declared and taken out again.

On the road: left-hand traffic and a CI$16 visitor's permit before you drive. Same-sex couples: civil partnerships legal since 2020, hotels welcoming, public affection best kept discreet.

Manners are British-Caribbean: greet before asking, dress for church-going neighbours, and keep the volume down. Tipping and drone rules are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

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

Emergency information

Emergency numbers: 911 for police, ambulance and fire; police non-emergency +1 (345) 949-4222.

Hospitals: three on Grand Cayman, two in George Town and one in the east; Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac. Serious cases go to the USA. Consular: no Canadian office; the islands are a British territory with a Governor.

Alerts: the government's free National Emergency Notification System app; hurricane season June to November; an active seismic area.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Crime rates are low; use a safe, guard the passport because it cannot be renewed or replaced on the islands, and get a written police report for any loss; many shops, banks and services close on Sundays; drugs of any kind carry up to 35 years in prison and unlimited fines; same-sex civil partnerships have been legal since 2020 though local attitudes can be conservative, Call 911 for an ambulance; Zika and dengue are health risks; three well-equipped hospitals on Grand Cayman, two in George Town and one in the east, and the smaller Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac; treatment is expensive and serious cases are stabilised and transferred to the USA, Call 911 for an ambulance; Zika and dengue are health risks; three well-equipped hospitals on Grand Cayman, two in George Town and one in the east, and the smaller Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac; treatment is expensive and serious cases are stabilised and transferred to the USA, Hurricane season normally runs from June to November; the government's free National Emergency Notification System app sends alerts by e-mail, SMS and notification, Crime rates are low; use a safe, guard the passport because it cannot be renewed or replaced on the islands, and get a written police report for any loss; many shops, banks and services close on Sundays; drugs of any kind carry up to 35 years in prison and unlimited fines; same-sex civil partnerships have been legal since 2020 though local attitudes can be conservative, Hurricane season normally runs from June to November; the government's free National Emergency Notification System app sends alerts by e-mail, SMS and notification (September 2026).
Checked against Cayman Islands Department of Tourism — 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, 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, 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 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, 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, Canada advises normal security precautions; the crime rate is very low with occasional pickpocketing, and the hotel safe should be bolted down; carry a photocopy of the passport page; do not walk alone to deserted beaches or poorly lit areas after dark; sexual assaults occur and women alone may face harassment; never leave drinks unattended, 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, Canada advises normal security precautions; the crime rate is very low with occasional pickpocketing, and the hotel safe should be bolted down; carry a photocopy of the passport page; do not walk alone to deserted beaches or poorly lit areas after dark; sexual assaults occur and women alone may face harassment; never leave drinks unattended, 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, 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 (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).