Looking for inexpensive non-tourist day

[TwoGuysPBC]

Will be first timer in Grand Cayman on Celebrity Cruise end of March. We are doing Paradise Beach in Cozumel and would like to find something other than Royal Palm beach in Grand Cayman. Seems the downtown sounds just like Cozumel with touristy shops and same old, same old. Can anyone suggest an inexpensive, interesting spot maybe within walking distance from the port? Both of us in late 40's & enjoy off the beaten trail type of finds. Thanks!

[egdr22]

We have been living in Grand Cayman since September, so this comes from a non-tourist perspective. ;) Everything within walking distance from the pier is pretty touristy....unless you walk a long way. For a relaxed beach day, I would take a bus ($2CI) to Cemetery Beach. It has awesome snorkeling and some shade trees and, while you will see some other cruise ship passengers, it is much more chill than other areas of Seven Mile Beach.

[drew sailbum]

A longish walk (much of it without sidewalks) south of town and you will find the Pure Art gallery. It is definitely an eclectic location.

 

On the way you will pass Sunset House hotel which has a nice bar, good snorkeling or scuba diving. Prices are more affordable than the tourist locations in the heart of town.

[Capt_BJ]

Sunset House

 

I'm booking a week there right now . . .

[TwoGuysPBC]

We have been living in Grand Cayman since September, so this comes from a non-tourist perspective. ;) Everything within walking distance from the pier is pretty touristy....unless you walk a long way. For a relaxed beach day, I would take a bus ($2CI) to Cemetery Beach. It has awesome snorkeling and some shade trees and, while you will see some other cruise ship passengers, it is much more chill than other areas of Seven Mile Beach.

 

Thanks for the info - sounds like an option for sure. We may do a beach day or just check out the downtown to get off the ship and hang at Margaritaville pool for a while. So much for not being touristy! LOL

[Oneluckywoman]

We have been living in Grand Cayman since September, so this comes from a non-tourist perspective. ;) Everything within walking distance from the pier is pretty touristy....unless you walk a long way. For a relaxed beach day, I would take a bus ($2CI) to Cemetery Beach. It has awesome snorkeling and some shade trees and, while you will see some other cruise ship passengers, it is much more chill than other areas of Seven Mile Beach.

 

Dumb question...what does the CI stand for above ($2CI)? And where do we catch the bus to get to Cemetery beach? Do we have to look for a special one? Thank you! LOVED cemetery beach last time we went there, but paid $7 per person to get there and took the bus back. Figured we could save some $ and take the bus both ways, just not sure where to catch it!

Thanks!

[Deb922]

Not hard to catch the bus. Just start walking left and the buses are vans. They will beep at you to tell you that they have room. Flag them down and get on. Easy peasy!

 

Caymanian money is at at fixed rate. $1.20 CI = $1.00 US.

[TurtleTagger]

You'll need to walk a few blocks into town from the cruise terminal to find the bus depot/terminus by the library (just ask at the pier where it is). The taxi lobby prevents the bus drivers from servicing directly at the pier. :mad:

 

Take the #1 Yellow or #2 Lime Green placarded bus (or just ask a driver at the depot) which both pass by the cemetery Beach section of Seven Mile Beach.

 

When ready to head back to port, just stand along the road by the cemetery and flag/wave a bus down headed back to George Town when they approach.

 

Some bad news though (for Americans), the exchange rate is fixed at $1 CI=$1.25 US, not $1.20. :(

[Oneluckywoman]

You'll need to walk a few blocks into town from the cruise terminal to find the bus depot/terminus by the library (just ask at the pier where it is). The taxi lobby prevents the bus drivers from servicing directly at the pier. :mad:

 

Take the #1 Yellow or #2 Lime Green placarded bus (or just ask a driver at the depot) which both pass by the cemetery Beach section of Seven Mile Beach.

 

When ready to head back to port, just stand along the road by the cemetery and flag/wave a bus down headed back to George Town when they approach.

 

Some bad news though (for Americans), the exchange rate is fixed at $1 CI=$1.25 US, not $1.20. :(

 

Thank you so much for all the info....!!!

[Deb922]

I guess I got it all wrong lol!

[TurtleTagger]

I guess I got it all wrong lol!

 

Not at all! You can technically walk left from the pier and catch a bus at the along North Church St. (it just may be a ways). It is usually just easier for most visitors to hop on board at the terminal, since buses and taxis can be hard to distinguish from on another, until it is time to pay that is.

 

Here is a pretty good map of the depot location and various routes:

http://thebusschedule.com/EN/ky/