What to Wear in the Cayman Islands + Women’s Packing List
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If you’re planning to visit Grand Cayman, read this article first, sis! Here, I’ll break down what to wear in the Cayman Islands with stylish outfit ideas and a detailed ladies packing list from my most recent trip.
And if you enjoy this post, you’ll love my full Grand Cayman itinerary and travel guide!
What is the dress code for the Cayman Islands?
The dress code or dress standard is similar to what you’d encounter in the United States and many parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, for ladies and for men. Comfy and casual for day-to-day, business casual for work (or business professional in the legal field, for example), and dressy or smart casual for evenings out.
The Cayman Islands are warm with nice tropical breezes year round. Coming from Houston, I’m used to hot weather and high humidity so Grand Cayman was a beautiful, beachy walk in the park!
November to April is their dry season so keep that in mind for your spring break visit. And for summer vacation, the rainy season is typically May to October. Yes, I did experience some passing rain when I visited during August.
With temperatures from the upper 70s to mid 80s, I recommend wearing natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk to help you keep your cool. Minimize layering and avoid outfits completely comprised of synthetic fibers.
Use my women’s travel essentials checklist for things I take on every trip!
Grand Cayman Ladies Clothing Packing List
What to pack for a week in Grand Cayman: For a five-day trip, I packed seven outfits and four swimsuits, excluding my travel clothes. I recommend mixing and matching from the list below to go from day to night and a variety of outdoor activities.
Casual Daytime Outfits should be breezy and comfortable because if you’re outside for any amount of time, you’ll probably sweat at least a little. Think things like two-piece sets, rompers, sundresses, blouses, and denim.
Comfortable Walking Shoes for athletic activities and sightseeing. I love these platform sandals because they have great grip and support while looking cute–and they go with almost anything!
Dressy Casual Evening Outfits like jumpsuits, dresses, linen trousers and blouses. These should ideally also be breezy, natural materials for the most comfort whether you’re sweating it out on the dance floor enjoying a romantic beach dinner.
Sandals or Sneakers because there’s not really a need for heels (unless that is core to your personal style). Even for nighttime activities like clubs, lounges, and cocktail bars, you can wear flats with no issue.
Small Handbag for the essentials. This wooden handbag coordinates with just about every outfit I put together and has versatile tropical vacay vibes so I highly recommend it. And a bum bag or crossbody is a must for excursions.
Sun Hat or Visor because it is bright and sunny, especially on the beach. Protect that pretty face! I have packed this extra large brim visor for countless trips and I always get compliments on it. As a bonus, it packs completely flat in your suitcase.
Sunglasses, of course, and don’t forget sunglass grips so you don’t lose them in the ocean!
Swimsuits + Cover-ups for the beaches and resort pool. It’s not recommended to wear beach attire away from these areas, by the way.
Swim Cap and Hair Accessories depending on your hairstyle and duration of your trip. I personally am a vacation braids kinda Black woman so tend to keep it pretty minimal.
Water Shoes for excursions like Starfish Point and Stingray City or watersports like jet skiing and kayaking. My water shoes for travel are from Amazon and under
What to Bring to the Cayman Islands
Cash to convert to local currency (KYD), which you can do upon arrival at the airport, your hotel or certain local businesses. Some places only take cash and will give you a more favorable price with KYD.
Cosmetics and Toiletries including reef-safe sunscreen so you don’t burn up at the beach! If you are traveling light be sure to grab travel-size products and read my guide to traveling with just a carry-on bag.
Debit or Credit Card for convenience and larger expenses. Check out the travel credit card I always pack for no foreign transaction fees and points toward free flights!
You can also purchase things you might forget at home on the island BUT just note that shopping in the Cayman Islands is generally more expensive than in the United States. And take into account how you’ll be able to get around.
Here’s everything you need to know about driving on Grand Cayman + other transportation options!
Female Grand Cayman Outfit Ideas
I wore this easy look for daytime activities like lunch and souvenir shopping. The grounds at the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa made a fab backdrop for my vacay OOTD pictures.
And I wore this dramatic blouse and coordinating trousers to bright up a somewhat rainy day with tropical afternoon teatime at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, which should be on your bucket list!
Here’s everything to know about having afternoon tea in the Cayman Islands.
I’m a big fan of planning wardrobe themes or capsules for trips and color is an easy one. These Caribbean holiday looks included lots of color. Here’s a black and white travel outfits capsule if you’re looking for neutrals inspo!
By the way, this is me outside my favorite Grand Cayman restaurant, which I hit up multiple times during my last beach trip. Here are all my recommendations on where to eat on Grand Cayman!
For Seven Mile Beach | Similar Swimsuits:
Check out my top 10 things to do on Grand Cayman for more beaches to visit.
The Crystal Caves are a unique activity that’s indoor/outdoor and underground and I highly recommend penciling them into your itinerary. Here’s how to plan a visit to the Crystal Caves!
Grand Cayman is laid back but quite cosmopolitan compared to the smaller Cayman Islands and some other Caribbean islands. So heels are not required but your luxury bags and chic outfits won’t be out of place if you choose to wear them.
More Tropical Destination Style Guides
I hope my guide to what to pack for a Grand Cayman island vacation helps you have the most stylish and prepared trip 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!
