Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands Travel Tips

The charming Cayman Islands continue to be a coveted Caribbean getaway, providing for both adventurous and more immobile travelers. Gorgeous barrier reefs call to divers as the rum punch calls to the beach bums. Honeymooners hike through the 200-year-old Mastic Trail as parents take their children for interactive swims at Stingray City. Whichever way you choose to mellow out, the Cayman Islands can oblige. The Cayman Islands are an archipelago of three islands, lying 90 miles south of Cuba. The largest, Grand Cayman, is full of all-inclusive resorts, perfect for those who prefer pre-planned itineraries and don't mind cruise crowds. For freewheeling vacationers, the less-traveled Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offer some of the best diving in the Caribbean.

Why go: Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands is perfect for young travelers who love animals. Some of the top activities include swimming with stingrays and playing with sea turtles in Boatswain's Beach. Slightly older travelers might enjoy snorkeling and diving to explore the underwater animals around Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Young ones can also play pretend on the Jolly Roger pirate ship or explore the ocean deep on the Atlantis submarine. Cayman Brac even hosts a Family Week with discounted flight and hotel fares and kid-friendly activities around the island and at participating hotels.

When to Visit Cayman Islands

The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between May and July, when the hotel rates drop. The Islands are warm year-round, with average highs holding steady in the 80s. January and February are the coolest months with lows averaging in the lower 70s. The rainy season is from May through about late October -- though showers usually only last for a couple hours at a time. The islands' location in the western part of the Caribbean shields them from being hit too hard by hurricanes.