Vacation Guide to Driving in Grand Cayman
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Throughout my travels, I’ve taken a variety of modes of transportation modes from buses to subways to horseback but there’s something about the autonomy of hitting the open road that I love. This vacation guide to driving in Grand Cayman will break down all you need to know from my experience renting a car in the Cayman Islands and getting around the dreamy oceanside roads!
Things to Know About Driving a Car in Grand Cayman
The Cayman Islands driving side is the left side of the road. As a British territory, this aligns with driving in the United Kingdom and other island territories. Having made my mistakes while driving on the left for the first time while vacationing in Turks and Caicos, I wasn’t intimidated.
But vehicles may be equipped with either left or right side steering wheels. Some folks who are used to driving with the steering wheel on the right find this more comfortable and safe to acclimate to and having the options makes sense with about 84% of tourists coming from the United States. The car I drove had a left-side steering wheel.
Driving age in Grand Cayman is 17 years and one day old for residents, however, visitors must be at least 18 years old by law. Do you need an international driver’s license in Grand Cayman? No, but you need to be of the legal driving age and have a valid license from your home country.
Speed limits are posted in miles per hour and generally lower than in the United States. I found this to be suitable because the highways curve to match the shape of the island and shoreline with limited visibility at times. And watch out for chickens!
There are more roundabouts than stoplight intersections. And you’ll find yourself taking the same few major roads, which are mostly two-lane roads, over and over to get around.
Gas costs a bit more in the Cayman Islands than in the United States (like many Caribbean islands). Regular fuel is currently around $6.00 USD/per gallon. The gas is measured in liters, though, so the display price, whether in USD or KYD, will seem lower.
Do you need to rent a car in Grand Cayman?
You might be wondering is it worth renting a car in Grand Cayman? In my opinion, yes, especially if you’re going to be staying for three days or longer. Being able to easily get around the entire island, not just the resort zone and Seven Mile Beach, made my trip so much richer and memorable.
Especially if you get a cool rental car! Jeeps and sports cars are popular picks for vacationers on this island. However, they do come at a higher price. I picked up a Ford Mustang convertible at the Grand Cayman airport from Marshall’s Rent a Car and found the cost to be reasonable compared to other makes and models.
Check out all kinds of Grand Cayman rental car options!
In addition to picking up a car at the airport, you have a few options for renting a car in Georgetown, Grand Cayman not far from the cruise port and terminal. Air travelers are not the only folks who may need to pick up a car!
So the best place to rent a car on Grand Cayman really depends on where you’ll be located. Also, I must mention that the cost of rental cars in Grand Cayman was surprisingly lower than I expected.
Qualifications for Renting a Car
The requirements for hiring a car in the Caymans are straightforward:
1. You don’t need an international driving permit in Grand Cayman so long as you have an active license or permit issued by the country where you are a resident. So, for example, as a US citizen, I simply provided my [Texas] state issued driver’s license.
2. The minimum qualification age to hire a car in Grand Cayman generally ranges by rental company from 21 to 25 years old. At Marshall’s, it is currently 23 years.
3. Proof of insurance is required. You can use either your personal auto policy (check that the coverage would be valid on vacation), credit card coverage or the options provided by the rental agency.
Each rental agency has its own rules around deposits, refueling, coverage, and more. Check with yours directly to make sure you have what you need!
Other Transportation Options
There is no Uber or Lyft available. Ride share operations are banned by the government of the Cayman Islands but there are local taxis.
Instead of calling random taxis, you can opt to hire a private driver in Grand Cayman. My cousin visited the island shortly before I did and found this to be the most reliable and flexible alternative to moving around by car yourself.
You can also travel by boat charter or ferry should you want to take a day trip to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Helicopter tours and regional planes are also an option for longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as you are of legal driving age in Grand Cayman (18 years old). Valid driver’s licenses from the United States of America are accepted for visitors to the Cayman Islands.
I hope you find yourself enjoying driving in Cayman Islands and enjoying the gorgeous surroundings soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
