Planning Your Shopping Trip In Grand Cayman Island
Before you embark on your shopping trip, make sure to check the Cayman Islands Port Authority website. If there’s more than one cruise ship in port, delaying your shopping expedition to another day might be advisable to avoid the crowds. The website, www.caymanport.com/ship-schedules, will provide you with up-to-date information on ship schedules.
The Grand Shopping Experience
The Cayman Islands offer an unrivaled shopping experience. From unique souvenirs and locally crafted clothing to indigenous artwork, you’re bound to find something memorable. The Cayman Islands are rich in local markets, designer boutiques, and stylish stores, offering an extensive range of products. You will find everything from hand-crafted jewelry to chic furniture and local goods such as spices, soaps, and teas.
Souvenirs & Local Goods
Popular visitor souvenirs include t-shirts and almost anything with the Cayman Islands printed on them. Tortuga rums and rum cakes are a hit amongst tourists and can be purchased duty-free in the US. Witness the production of these delicious cakes at Tortuga’s rum cake factory in Micro Centre, where you can also sample locally distilled rums.
Duty-Free Shopping in George Town
Home to dozens of camera and jewelry stores, George Town, offers an extensive range of brands and gems, many at duty-free prices. The town is well known for its bargain prices on duty-free items, including luxury brand watches, jewelry, precious gems, metals, coins, stamps, caymanite, and black coral. Shopping is best done on Saturdays and Mondays when the town is less crowded with cruise passengers.
Local and Novelty Purchases
Locally produced products make for memorable keepsakes. These include Caymanite, thatch woven hats and handbags, spices, sauces, jams, sea salt, and pepper jelly. In addition, novelty items branded “Cayman Islands” are popular and include books, postcards, refrigerator magnets, mouse pads, cups, and shot glasses. You can also find CDs by local artists like Barefoot Man, Bona Fide, and High Tide.
China, Crystal, and Leather Goods Shopping
Grand Cayman offers an extensive range of china and crystal shopping, including brands like Baccarat, Herend, Lalique, Lladro, Swarovski, Vera Wang, Versace, Waterford, and Wedgewood. Caymanite, the island’s unique gem, makes a popular souvenir. For leather goods, brands like Cartier, Chopard, Longchamp, and Fendi can be found at several George Town shopping stores.
China, Crystal, and Leather Goods Shopping
Grand Cayman offers an extensive range of china and crystal shopping, including brands like Baccarat, Herend, Lalique, Lladro, Swarovski, Vera Wang, Versace, Waterford, and Wedgewood. Caymanite, the island’s unique gem, makes a popular souvenir. For leather goods, brands like Cartier, Chopard, Longchamp, and Fendi can be found at several George Town shopping stores.
Art Galleries and Local Crafts
Cameras and camera equipment are among the best shopping deals on the island of Grand Cayman, with direct factory shipping and low duty rates. For jewelry and watches, Grand Cayman offers excellent prices and selections, particularly for higher-end items. Everyday clothing may not be a practical purchase, but t-shirts and resort wear are abundant in shops throughout Grand Cayman.
Art enthusiasts will be thrilled by the diverse selection of paintings, carvings, sculptures, and other pieces available at art galleries throughout George Town. Local Arts & Crafts, made from materials available only in the Cayman Islands, can be found throughout Grand Cayman.
Cameras, Jewelry, Watches, and Clothing
Cameras and camera equipment are among the best shopping deals on the island of Grand Cayman, with direct factory shipping and low duty rates. For jewelry and watches, Grand Cayman offers excellent prices and selections, particularly for higher-end items. Everyday clothing may not be a practical purchase, but t-shirts and resort wear are abundant in shops throughout Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman’s Unique Gem: Caymanite
Caymanite, Grand Cayman’s own unique gem, is a brilliant showcase of earth tones that have been waiting patiently for billions of years for expert artists to craft them into wearable masterpieces. This gem, found only in Grand Cayman, is a perfect choice for shoppers seeking authentic island pieces. Caymanite pendants, beads, beaded bracelets, and necklaces are affordable and popular souvenir items. Mitzi’s Fine Jewelry offers a particularly large and affordable collection of Caymanite merchandise, allowing you to take a little piece of Grand Cayman home with you.
Leather Goods Shopping
For shoppers looking for quality leather goods, Grand Cayman offers several stores in George Town where you can find a range of items such as luggage and custom handbags often priced below the US average. These stores feature high-end brands like Cartier, Chopard, Longchamp, and Fendi.
Tropical Clothing Shopping
Tropical clothing and resort wear are available in abundance across Grand Cayman. You can find these items in major malls, dive shops, resorts, boutiques, and even resorts island-wide. Shopping for tropical clothing in Grand Cayman is a delightful experience with plenty of variety to suit all tastes and budgets.
Shopping for Diving and Snorkeling Equipment
Shopping for diving and snorkeling equipment is made easy by two large retail outlets and dozens of boutique dive shops throughout Grand Cayman. Though diving and snorkeling equipment is not duty-free in the Cayman Islands, the immense volume and numerous local distributors make prices comparable to those in the US.
Art Galleries in George Town
Art lovers will find a rich and diverse selection of artwork in the galleries across George Town. These spaces feature everything from paintings and carvings to sculptures, all in a variety of themes – particularly island, ocean, and tropical themes. Given the popularity of these galleries with cruise ship crowds, the best times to visit are all day on Saturdays and mid-day on Mondays.
Local Arts and Crafts in Grand Cayman
Local arts and crafts are ubiquitous throughout Grand Cayman, with materials available only in the Cayman Islands such as Caymanite and Palm Thatch. Open-air craft markets can be found in George Town and Camana Bay during weekdays and Saturdays.
Cameras and Camera Equipment
Grand Cayman is a great destination to shop for cameras and camera equipment due to direct factory shipping and low duty rates. The island is abundant with land and underwater cameras, housings, and accessories. Cathy Church Photo Center and Gallery, located at Sunset House, is a prime location for all underwater camera equipment purchases and rentals.
Jewelry and Watches Shopping
Grand Cayman offers excellent prices and selections of jewelry and watches. All major brands, especially Rolex and Citizen, along with precious gems like diamonds, emeralds, and sapphire, are available. Most Jewelry and Watch stores are situated in George Town. To avoid cruise ship crowds, consider planning your shopping day for a Monday or Saturday.
Shopping for Clothing in Grand Cayman
While everyday clothing may not be a practical purchase in the Cayman Islands, you will find an abundance of t-shirts and resort wear in shops throughout Grand Cayman. You’ll find an array of styles and options for the perfect island clothing shopping experience in the lavish seaside resort shops along Seven Mile Beach.
From its unique Caymanite souvenirs to its duty-free shopping experiences, Grand Cayman offers a shopping adventure unlike any other. Enjoy the Caribbean culture as you shop and bring home a piece of the Grand Cayman Islands with you.
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