Something Different?

[lrtjs5]

I have been to Grand Cayman numerous times and have done all the noted excursions. Can anyone tell me something different to do? Has anyone been to the Botanical Garden??:D

[drew sailbum]

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is lovely. You can take a nice nature walk on a maintained path through some old growth Cayman forest. And long the way you will likely see some of critically endangered Cayman Blue Iguanas sunning themselves. The park includes a floral garden which can be THE island highlight for gardening aficionados.

 

You really NEED a rental car to visit the Botanic Park which is located off Fran Sound Road in the district of North Side, more or less in the middle of the eastern side of the island. You can rent from Cayman Auto Rentals which is within walking distance from the port or make a reservation with any of the many rental agencies at the airport. Most will arrange to pick you up at the port and drop you back at the end of the day. It's a short drive from the port to the airport and just a little paperwork to get you on your way.

 

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands manages the Botanic Park as well as the Pedro St James historic site. I know they used to offer a single discounted ticket that would cover entrance at Pedro St James and the Botanic Park.

 

Or a short distance from the Botanic Park, in the community of Old Man Bay in North Side, is the Crystal Caves. The site is not owned or managed by the National Trust but offers a spectacular view of one of the largest caves that dot the North Side area. Just a tiny but further down North Side Rd is Over the Edge Restaurant which has a deck for outdoor dining. Would be a great lunch spot.

 

Any of these destinations count as Off the Beaten Path and will not be crowded with other cruise ship visitors. Indeed if you have a sharp eye out you will see the intersection of Frank Sound Road and Off the Beaten Path Road, a perfect roadside photo opportunity to prove you visited Cayman's lesser seen out districts.

[gerelmx]

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is lovely. You can take a nice nature walk on a maintained path through some old growth Cayman forest. And long the way you will likely see some of critically endangered Cayman Blue Iguanas sunning themselves. The park includes a floral garden which can be THE island highlight for gardening aficionados.

 

You really NEED a rental car to visit the Botanic Park which is located off Fran Sound Road in the district of North Side, more or less in the middle of the eastern side of the island. You can rent from Cayman Auto Rentals which is within walking distance from the port or make a reservation with any of the many rental agencies at the airport. Most will arrange to pick you up at the port and drop you back at the end of the day. It's a short drive from the port to the airport and just a little paperwork to get you on your way.

 

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands manages the Botanic Park as well as the Pedro St James historic site. I know they used to offer a single discounted ticket that would cover entrance at Pedro St James and the Botanic Park.

 

Or a short distance from the Botanic Park, in the community of Old Man Bay in North Side, is the Crystal Caves. The site is not owned or managed by the National Trust but offers a spectacular view of one of the largest caves that dot the North Side area. Just a tiny but further down North Side Rd is Over the Edge Restaurant which has a deck for outdoor dining. Would be a great lunch spot.

 

Any of these destinations count as Off the Beaten Path and will not be crowded with other cruise ship visitors. Indeed if you have a sharp eye out you will see the intersection of Frank Sound Road and Off the Beaten Path Road, a perfect roadside photo opportunity to prove you visited Cayman's lesser seen out districts.

 

We want to do this tour, are buses or taxis available? or do you recommend it's better to hire a shorex, We don't drive by the left side. Silhouette will be tendered from 7 am to 4 pm, it's enough time?

[bookbabe]

We want to do this tour, are buses or taxis available? or do you recommend it's better to hire a shorex, We don't drive by the left side. Silhouette will be tendered from 7 am to 4 pm, it's enough time?

 

 

It isn't an official tour that's described, although you may find tours that stop at one or more of the mentioned spots, and you REALLY need a rental car for this if you want to DIY. You cannot rely on the buses to be there when you want/need them and a taxi would be very expensive. You could look for info on private drivers to hire for the day, but it would likely be cheaper to pick an excursion to the spot you are most interested in through your cruise line.