George Town

George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands on Grand Cayman's west coast, is a small, clean and relaxed waterfront town, the islands' commercial hub and a major cruise-ship port. Along its harbourfront, duty-free shops, jewellers and waterfront restaurants cater to visitors, while the National Museum, housed in a historic old courthouse and jail, tells the story of Caymanian seafaring, turtling and island life. Snorkelling reefs and shipwrecks lie just offshore, and the town serves as a comfortable, convenient base and gateway to Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City and the island's other attractions, blending modern island prosperity with a genteel heritage.

What you actually see

• The National Museum - the Caymanian history in the old courthouse.
• The waterfront - the harbourfront shops and dining.
• The offshore reefs - the snorkelling and shipwrecks nearby.
• The heritage sites - the historic buildings and island story.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the best weather; the town is busiest and its shops liveliest when cruise ships are in port, so quieter days offer a more relaxed visit. It is compact and easily explored in a few hours, and serves as the convenient base for the island's beaches and attractions.

Honest expectations

George Town is a small, tidy but fairly low-key capital dominated by duty-free shopping and cruise-ship crowds on ship days, so its appeal is its convenience, waterfront and modest heritage sights rather than major attractions, and a few hours suffices; the Cayman Islands overall are upscale and expensive. As a clean, relaxed and comfortable island capital with a worthwhile museum, waterfront dining and easy access to the reefs and beaches, though, George Town is a pleasant and convenient base.

Nearby

Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City and the Crystal Caves are within reach.