Hi!

What is the best way to get from the airport to the Westin? (two adults traveling) Taxi or car service? I'm not a huge fan of the shared van. And, how much should I expect to pay?
I think we may only rent a car for a day or 2 of exploring during a 6 day and 5 night stay.
Also, do I need to exchange some money in advance. I've read that most places take the US dollar.

Thanks in advance.

taxi. it's not that far. don't know price as we rented our car for the whole time.

Have not encountered a place yet that doesn't take US$, including roadside bbq stands. You'll likely get change in CI though. You can also just take cash out of an ATM which dispenses CI.

Taking a taxi at the airport is the best way, you should pay about $23. Also, the US dollar is accepted everywhere.The restaurants and shops have the US dollar prices in addition Cayman dollar price on the check or receipt.

Is it worth to exchange money once on Grand Cayman or just stick with the US cash? I do know the exchange rate isn't the greatest, but I myself and going to Grand Cayman with my husband in July. We are staying at the Westin and are also debating if its worth to rent a car or not? - Susan

susan - rent a car for one day at least. take a drive out around the east end past the blowholes, gun bay, (view wreck of ten sails from this area) the reef & morritts. then along the north side of the island through old man bay to rum point/cayman kai area for lunch and a swim. on the way back to seven mile take the frank sound road through the center of the island and stop at the botanical garden.
map: http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/Cayman.htm
we never exchanged any money. no need to.

Virginia,
Thank you for your response!

The exchange rate in the Cayman Islands is set at CI$1.25 to US$1. It doesn't vary, so there's never a need to exchange money. The ATMs all dispense both CI and US dollars.

Nick, If you want to rent a car, consider doing it at the beginning of your stay. A weekly rental might work to your favor when you consider the cost of taxis to and from the hotel. Parking is free anyway.

Hi
We spend alot of time in Grand Cayman, and agree on taxi from airport, and they take US$. I think the Westin has rental cars available there - Avis. The Westin is within walking distance to Foster's grocery store, and several restaurants: Eats, Sunshine Suites (both across the street), Neptunes, several more around the Strand shop area, and several casual restaurants on the beach in both directions from Westin.
It's good to have a car for part of the time - can go to Turtle Farm / Dolphin Discovery on the West end, explore the East End and Rum Point area. If you have the car, go to eat at Calypso Grill one night - it's our favorite; or drive in town to Sunset house - another fun local place.
Enjoy!
Jane Warren, Publisher
http://www.towabletubesdirect.com

The island is small I would suggest renting a car.. we did for the entire week we were there... it was not expensive at all.. and worth it...

Do you all feel that a car rental for one day would be sufficient to see everything (i.e. turtle farm in west end plus other end of island)?

Would a car rental be more or less expensive than using cabs everywhere?

i'd say 2 days would be better. you'll want a whole day to drive around the east end, go to rum point, and see the botanical gardens or walk the mastic trail and another day to see georgetown, turtlefarm, shop, etc.
had rental car for our whole visit so can't compare costs. it would depend a lot on whether you want to hang at your resort most of the time or not.
don't make sunday one of your car days. everyone goes to church so some stuff opens late or not at all including rum point.

thanks for the help!

Hey Susan, when will you be at the Westin? We'll be next door at the Villas at the Galleon from the 12-17th.

Taxis are pretty expensive on Grand Cayman, but then so is gas. If you plan on doing a lot of taxiing around to dinner, then I think you'll do better renting a car for the week. A taxi to Rum Point is pretty expensive, so just that day alone would probably be the cost of a daily car rental. Taxi rates are set, but they are just not very cheap. If you are willing to take the public bus (really a van service), then you can save money by only renting for 2 days; if you don't want to walk or take the bus, then my guess would be that you would spend a bit more by not renting a car and just taking taxis, assuming an average of at least 1 round-trip taxi trip a day. Having a car is very useful for getting groceries for your villa, though you can walk from there.

Just remember, you can rent a car for a week for about $200. A moderately long taxi ride would be a minimum of $10 (so $20 round-trip, but perhaps as much as $25 to Rum Point). Do the math and figure out if it's worth it to you.