Caribbean · Territory
Cayman Islands: Travel Guide & Requirements
The Cayman Islands is a territory in Caribbean with its capital in George Town. It has a population of 75,844 (#197 in the world) and covers 264 km². The official language is English. The currency is the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD, $).
Where is the Cayman Islands? Map of the Cayman Islands
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica.
- Region
- Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 19.5° N, 80.5° W
- Neighbours
- none (no land borders)
- Coastline
- 160 km
- Cayman Islands
- Capital
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to the Cayman Islands
- Passport
A passport valid for your whole stay (check the rules of the governing country).
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Before you go
9 things to know before you travel to the Cayman Islands
- Safety: Yes — the Cayman Islands is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates the Cayman Islands Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: December to April — when daytime highs in George Town are around 26–27°C.
- Money: the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD) — 1 US dollar is about 0.8316 KYD.
- Plugs: type A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz — low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
- Emergency numbers: Police 911, Ambulance 911, Fire 911.
- Language: English is official.
- Driving: on the left.
- Time zone: UTC-5 in George Town.
- Capital: George Town. About 75,844 people live in the Cayman Islands.
Key facts
Cayman Islands at a glance
Languages spoken: English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.)
Geography & history
About the Cayman Islands
The British colonized the Cayman Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Jamaica -- also a British colony at the time -- administered the islands after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.
Location
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
Climate
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Highest point
1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m
Natural resources
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Natural hazards
hurricanes (July to November)
National symbols
green sea turtle
Safety
Is the Cayman Islands safe to visit?
Yes — the Cayman Islands is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates the Cayman Islands Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Removal of information about Hurricane Melissa ('Warnings and insurance' page).
Updated 29 Oct 2025 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit the Cayman Islands
The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is December to April, when daytime highs in George Town are around 26–27°C. May and November are also a good time to go. August is the warmest month (30°C by day), January the coldest (25°C at night), and October the wettest with about 154 mm of rain.
- Jan26°C25°C
- Feb26°C25°C
- Mar27°C25°C
- Apr27°C26°C
- May28°C27°C
- Jun29°C28°C
- Jul29°C29°C
- Aug30°C29°C
- Sep30°C29°C
- Oct29°C28°C
- Nov28°C27°C
- Dec27°C26°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in the Cayman Islands
Plugs & sockets
120 V, 60 Hz · Low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Currency · 26 October 2026
Cayman Islands dollar exchange rates today
The Cayman Islands uses the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD, $). One US dollar buys 0.8316 KYD; over the last 30 days the KYD has gained 0.0% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in KYD
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where the Cayman Islands ranks
How the Cayman Islands compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in the Cayman Islands
8 airports and airfields — 1 large, 2 medium and 0 small, plus 5 heliports. 2 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
No land borders
The Cayman Islands has no land borders with other countries. Coastline: 160 km.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: George Town (35,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Export partners
UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023)
Top exports
aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to the Cayman Islands
Frequently asked questions about the Cayman Islands
What do I need to travel to the Cayman Islands?
Where is the Cayman Islands?
What is the capital of the Cayman Islands?
What language is spoken in the Cayman Islands?
What currency does the Cayman Islands use?
What is the calling code of the Cayman Islands?
Does the Cayman Islands have land borders?
Is the Cayman Islands safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit the Cayman Islands?
What plug type does the Cayman Islands use?
How many airports does the Cayman Islands have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.