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Cayman Islands / Car Rental

By Tim Ecott

Grand Cayman is well worth exploring by car, with both the western and eastern ends of the island offering distinctive differences to the main tourist areas of Seven Mile Beach and George Town. When hiring a car it is a good idea to insist on a right-hand drive vehicle – whether you are used to them or not -  since many of the vehicles are imported from dealers in the USA and will therefore have the steering wheel on the ‘wrong’ side. This also means caution should be exercised at junctions as many of the visitors will be driving on the left for the first time.

Having a car will allow you to sample a range of the remarkably diverse dining options on Grand Cayman, and to visit spots like the botanic gardens (a good forty minute journey from George Town) or the craggy limestone landscape of ‘Hell’ from where so many people are unable to resist sending postcards. A car will also allow you to stop and engage with a local shopkeeper, or pause at a deserted beach.

For anyone staying in a condominium or other types of self-catering accommodation a hire car will be a necessity, allowing trips to the supermarket and to restaurants on the spur of the moment. It is worth bearing in mind that driving from Seven Mile Beach to the QEII Botanic Park takes about forty-minutes, and to reach Rum Point or the East End will be about an hour’s drive.

On Cayman Brac it is certainly worth having a car for a day if you wish to properly explore the island without worrying about the meter ticking. There are caves, isolated beaches and walking trails to explore. Local guides conduct free tours of the island – but they need you to provide transportation and this is a special way of gaining a true insight into the character of this small community living in what is still a quite traditional manner. On Little Cayman it is fair to say that a car is not a necessity, though if you are in self-catering accommodation you will find it useful for popping to the shops at Blossom Village.

You may also want to read our article - Essential Notes on Driving in the Caribbean.

Please see below for our recommended Cayman Island car rental companies and full directory listings.

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Cayman Islands’s weather

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When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

  1. Take a day sail to Stingray City
  2. Walk the length of Seven Mile Beach
  3. Dive the many sites off Little Cayman
  4. Enjoy a guided tour of Cayman Brac
  5. Choose from three excellent restaurants in Osetra Bay

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