Grand Cayman: Grand Shopping

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Most couples headed to the Cayman Islands arrive in George Town's Grand Cayman, a city that's not just the capital of the government but also of the islands' duty-free shopping.

When the two of you (well, at least ONE of you) are ready to shop 'til you drop, you'll find that the Cayman Islands' most extensive shopping is found on Grand Cayman. Along the George Town waterfront on West Bay Road and Harbour Drive, duty free shops tempt travelers with china, perfumes, leather goods, watches, crystal, and, most especially, fine jewelry. Prices average about 25 percent below regular retail price tags, although some goods run as much as 40 to 45 percent below US retail prices. However, travelers would be well advised to know their prices before they leave home; some items are not a particular bargain.

Jewelry is a top purchase in the form of watches, custom designed pieces, stones, and coins. A Caymanian favorite is Savoy Jewellers. The Savoy Jewellers Fort Street location in downtown George Town is known for its collection of Spanish Doubloons plus Greek and Roman coins, as well as gold jewelry, black coral, Bucherer watches, and more. Savoy Jewellers Queen's Court on West Bay Road in the Seven Mile Beach area features an extensive collection of diamonds, Hermès watches, the St. Petersburg Collection of Fabergé eggs, Erté sculptures, and other finery. All jewelry is 18K gold and transportation from island hotels is available upon request.

Another popular retailer is Chests of Gold, with locations at Galleria Plaza, the Hyatt Regency, and the Westin Casuarina. Numismatic jewelry, diamond creations, and champleve enamel designs are set in primarily 18 karat gold. At Treasure Island Resort and Galleria Plaza on Seven Mile Beach, 24 K-Mon Jewelers features antique coin jewelry as well as black coral, pearls, hand enameled cloisonné, and custom creations.

Colombian Emeralds International, a well-known name throughout the Caribbean for fine jewelry, is located in George Town. This retailer offers emeralds as well as diamonds and other precious gemstones in 14 and 18 karat gold.

Just across the street from the cruise terminal, the Duty Free Centre offers a variety of shops with goods in all price ranges. British Outpost offers treasure coins, black coral, gold and watches. Next door, De Sunglass Man sells Ray-Ban, Versace, Revo, Armani and other imports at duty free prices. De Bag Man offers values on imported leather goods as well as Seiko, Guess, Anne Klein II, and Bulova watches. Leather goods fill the Coach Factory Store in the Anchorage Center, just off Harbour Drive a few steps from the cruise terminal. The Kirk Leather Store in Kirk Freeport Centre on Albert Panton Street also sells designer leather goods including Paloma Picasso, Bally, Fossil, Moschino, and Fendi.

Also in the Centre, the Kirk Freeport Gallery sells Lalique, Swarovski silver crystal, collectible figurines, Hummel, Lladro, and other fine items. China and crystal collectors can also stop by the Waterford and Wedgwood Gallery on Cardinal Avenue. Housed in an English style Tudor building, this shop includes an extensive collection of Waterford crystal from Ireland and Wedgwood china and crystal from England.

The Kirk Freeport name is a Cayman institution, well-known among for those seeking duty-free gifts. The best known of the Kirk Freeport stores is Cardinal Avenue's Kirk Jewellers, the exclusive Rolex distributor in the Cayman Islands. The shop also stocks Tag Heuer, Omega, Breitling, Tudor, Gucci, Bulgari, Fendi, and other lines. Fine jewelry from designers such as Bulgari, Mikimoto, Soho, and Chaumet are popular purchases. Writing instruments and leather accessories from Cartier, Mont Blanc, Waterman, and A.T. Cross bring duty free prices.

Other shops under the Kirk Freeport umbrella include the exclusive Cartier Boutique which offers 18 karat jewelry, watches, leather goods, perfumes, and pens, and La Perfumerie I & II, featuring fragrances from around the globe including Chanel, Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Clinique, and more. Mini facials and makeovers are also available.

Located just behind the Cayman Island National Museum across from the cruise terminal, Far Away Places is well known for its linens and lace. Battenberg lace, towels, tablecloths, placemats, and other items fill the shop.

Although not as extensive as the shopping in George Town, even the most dedicated shopper will find plenty of diversion along West Bay Road heading up Seven Mile Beach. Coconut Place, across the street from the Holiday Inn Grand Cayman, and Galleria Plaza, just south of the Hyatt Regency, are some of the top shopping areas. Travelers can look for duty-free liquor, jewelry, island clothing, and other vacation purchases along this strip. The Marriott (formerly the Radisson), Westin Casuarina, and Treasure Island Resort each have numerous shops featuring jewelry, resort clothing, and gift items.

Away from Grand Cayman, shopping opportunities are far less extensive. Small gift shops in the resorts of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac feature a limited selection of items.

Some of the real bargains are found on Cayman-made items. Caymanite, a stone found only on the eastern end of Grand Cayman's East End and the bluff on Cayman Brac, is sold throughout the islands mounted as jewelry. The semi-precious stone, a form of dolomite, ranges from a light beige to a beautiful amber color and is often mounted in a gold setting.

Another popular island purchase is the Tortuga Rum Cake, made using five-year-old Tortuga Gold Rum. Sealed in a red tin, the cake is the product of a 100-year-old family recipe. Or, for travelers who want to skip the cake, a bottle of Tortuga, Blackbear, or Cayman Gold Rum makes a inexpensive duty free purchase. Black coral jewelry is also a widespread commodity, and artisans design it into fine jewelry and small sculptures. Only jewelers licensed to remove the coral may do so and without a certificate testifying that the purchase is from an approved seller a vacationer's black coral may be confiscated in customs. Brian Beard's Black Coral on Church Street just across from the cruise terminal has a large selection of reasonably priced black coral earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

Travelers in transit through the US need to avoid anything made with turtle products. All goods--including oils, steaks, shells, and jewelry--made from turtles and turtle shells have been banned by US Customs. All in-transit passengers traveling through the US to other nations will have to surrender turtle products at US Customs.

Locals products vacationers won't have to worry about clearing through Customs are arts and crafts. Birdhouses made from coconuts, brooms woven from thatch, and pepper sauce distilled form fiery Scotch Bonnet peppers to capture the spirit of the islands make inexpensive island souvenirs.

Shoppers find that the means of exchange is the Caymanian dollar, exchanged at a rate of $1.20 US to $1 CI. The US dollar is also accepted in shops and restaurants, along with travelers checks and most major credit cards. Grand Cayman is the fifth largest financial center in the world, with over 500 banks, so currency exchange and ATMs are not a problem.