Cayman Islands Shopping

Visitors to the Cayman Islands can enjoy a particular attraction: going shopping. It is always interesting when you are visiting another city or traveling abroad, Cayman Islands adds to your shopping experience the benefit of duty free stores to save money.

In addition, may stores offer discounts up to 30% on fine jewelry, watches, perfumes, crystal and china and other luxury items. Many stores offer merchandise from brands like Cartier, Tiffany and Gucci. European fashion is usually only available in Grand Cayman.

A few world-class stores can be found also at Cayman Brac, but on all the Islands there are countless souvenirs and handcrafts and specialty shops. Locally produced art can be purchased at these stores or by visiting those galleries featuring native art and underwater photography and prints.

After a day at the stores, shopping enthusiasts can take a break to enjoy the local cuisine visiting any of the many restaurants on the Cayman Islands, ranging from budget to elegant. Most local dishes combine lobster and other native seafood with Jamaican spices.

However, there are over 100 restaurants on Grand Cayman offering international cuisine, including European, Mexican, German, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese and Thai, besides of American Cuisine and West Indian specialties such as cassava, bread fruit, yams, plantains, rice and peas.

Some shopping areas feature woodcraft stores, fine art galleries and fast food chains offering hamburgers, tacos, subs and salads. There are also several stores offering authentic Cuban cigars and a variety of rum products, including Blackbeard's Rum Cakes and Tortuga rum.

There is a restriction at Cayman Islands limiting the number of cruise passengers to 6,500 every day. People wanting to shop in George Town, should avoid visiting the port on the busiest days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

In the Islands, jewelry is less expensive than in the United States, and includes a variety of items made of gold, tanzanite, emeralds and diamonds, among other precious and semi-precious gems.

In George Town, the shopping complex features the best duty free shops in the Caribbean, running along the harbor front, between Cardinal Avenue, Harbour Drive, and South Church Street, near Hog Sty Bay.

Downtown the capital city, the retail center keeps the old charm of sophisticated European stores; however, there are many others with a contemporary atmosphere featuring both local merchandise and prestigious international brands.

Do not forget to browse for native souvenirs available in most stores, instead of taking presents from the nature, like plants or marine life, which is forbidden. It is a better idea to get unusual handmade items, from any of the small shopping centers dotted around Cayman Islands.

Along Seven Mile Beach, local crafts, souvenirs and bargains deals are common merchandise, although many shopping centers offer from small native goods to luxury items, including West Shore Shopping Centre, Queen's Court Shopping Centre and the Kirk Freeport Plaza.

Back in George Town; make sure to pay a visit to the boutique of coral artist Bernard Passman, whose works are owned by the British. Other interesting places to visit are the Shopping Plaza, Calico Jack's Resort Wear Boutique and the Tortuga Rum Company.

In general terms, there are no sales taxes on the Islands and visitors can take back home unlimited amounts of locally produced items; however visitors regions should check their own country regulations before buying in excess.

Duty free import limits are set by the traveler's home country. Most nations around the world grant generous duty free allowances based on a dollar amount of purchases-per-person basis.

American citizens can bring home up to $800 per person in duty free merchandising. Family travel adds up your purchase limit as the same duty free dollar allowance is given to each member of your family.

In the United States, exceeding the duty free allowance causes customs. The duty applied is generally 10% on the first $1000 in purchases over the basic allowance. Even then, the estimated purchase savings are 20% based on the retail cost in the United States.

The British Royal Crown has granted to Cayman Islands a duty free status in perpetuity for the help given to the royal family. However, take in mind the currency exchange at a fixed rated of $1 US equal to $1.25 CI.

Certain duty free items can only be purchased by visitors over 18 years of age and restricted to the following limit: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, and 1l of any alcoholic beverage, including wines and beers.

Forbidden items disregarding the visitor’s home country restrictions include plants or plant cuttings, beef, sea specimens, raw fruit and vegetable. Turtle products are limited to only the authorized.

Is not allowed to purchase counterfeit or base coins, narcotics and utensils, or appliances and instruments for gambling.

Importing of firearms, ammunition and explosives including gunpowder and blasting powder, requires a permit from the commissioner of police or district commissioner.