As the island’s main port, George Town sees a daily influx of cruise ship passengers for a day of shopping and relaxing on the shores of the Cayman’s largest island. Only minutes away from the island’s pristine Seven Mile Beach, the shops at George Town offer something for everyone, including discounts for cruise ship passengers.
Shopping Centres Located Portside
The new Grand Harbour Centre shopping complex boasts stores carrying an array of island goods from arts and crafts, handmade clothing, and souvenirs, to larger upscale jewellery stores and liquor shops. This outdoor mall is one of several located portside in George Town where it is easily accessible from the cruise ship docks and the island's beachfront resorts.
With a small straw market set up on the main thoroughfare, most shops tailor their hours to cruise ship docking times. If you are staying in one of the islands many resorts, take note that shops may be closed in the late afternoon when cruise ships depart for their next destination.
Rum and Rum Cake Shopping
No visit to the Cayman Islands is complete without a stop at one of the island’s Tortuga Rum Company shops which have several branches scattered around the island. There is a main store in downtown George Town which is perfect for a quick visit where travelers can sample the delectable rum cakes and purchase one of the islands many varieties of rum. Most tourist shops also carry a selection of rum cakes and other rum-based baked goods and beverages.
As a duty-free destination, George Town offers discounts on all manners of items, including watches, crystal, china, and jewellery with convenient shops located around the downtown core. Receive a discount of up to 30% when compared to off-island prices. Gold, emerald, and silver jewellery is widely available for purchase around the island.
Local Goods and British Imports for Sale
Popular local Cayman handicrafts include underwater photography of the island’s many coral reefs and sea life. Thanks to the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are one of the world’s top dive sites providing ample opportunity for capturing spectacular underwater images. Goods made of leather, wood, thatch work, and shells are also widely available. British imports can also be found in George Town’s many stores, often at discounted prices compared to those on the mainland as the Caymans remain under British rule.
Every Saturday from 7am to 1pm, the George Town Farmer’s Market Cooperative located at the Stacy Walter Agriculture Pavilion sees merchants selling fresh local produce, fish, and Cayman-made products including beauty creams containing Cayman sea salts and minerals.
Souvenir Shops
The shops of George Town have something for everyone. There is no shortage of souvenir shops located around the port which offer a wide variety of knick knacks from magnets, t-shirts, beach attire, Christmas ornaments, and pirate-themed mementos, as well as children’s items such as stuffed animals, beach toys, and clothing.
There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and snack bars to grab a quick meal or refreshing drink in the small downtown core to rest between stops. Chain eateries Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and the Hard Rock Café have locations in George Town complete with souvenir stores selling their brand of clothing and collectibles.
Rachel West - Rachel resides in Toronto, Ontario and works as an Online Merchandiser for Entertainment, writing about the latest DVDs and CDs for a high ...
