Columbus Cruise Review

Home > Cruise Destination Guide > George Town

Time Zone: GMT - 5.

Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$) = 100 cents.

Language: English; Spanish is also spoken.

Sightseeing: Grand Cayman is surrounded by water rich in colourful marine life and spectacular coral reefs. George Town, the main port, is the capital of the Cayman Islands. Along the harbour front are traditional Caymanian gingerbread-style buildings and, close by, modern banks and finance houses. The Cayman Islands National Museum, based in the centre of George Town, offers a complete history of the islands. The beautiful stretch of sand known as Seven Mile Beach is the main tourist centre, with excellent facilities for snorkelling and diving. Close by is the unique Cayman Turtle Farm where turtles are bred.

Shopping: Special purchases include china, crystal, silver, French perfume and local crafts of black coral, sculptures, tortoise and turtle shell jewellery. Travellers should note that turtle products cannot be imported, even by persons in transit, into any country which has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - this includes the USA, Canada and UK.

Eating Out: Specialities are turtle steaks, turtle soup, conch chowder and conch salad, red snapper, sea bass and lobster.