Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman has long been known for two offshore activities: banking (the new piracy as locals joke) and scuba diving. With 296 banks, the capital, George Town, is relatively modern and usually bustles with activity, but never more so than when two to seven cruise ships are docked in the harbor, an increasingly common occurrence. Accountants in business clothes join thousands of vacationers in their tropical togs, jostling for tables at lunch. When they're not mingling in the myriad shops, vacationers delve into sparkling waters to snorkel and dive, but increasingly, couples are also coming to be married, or at least to enjoy their honeymoon.

The effects of recent devastating hurricanes, such as Omar in October 2008 and Paloma in November 2008 are visible only in the mangrove swamps and interior savannah. There is a lot of new construction and plenty of traffic, so check with a local to plan driving time. It can take 45 minutes during rush hours to go 8 mi (13 km).