I just booked a trip to Grand Cayman for next Tuesday! I'm leaving the family behind and going solo so that I can relax. I'm not looking for wild night life but would like to find good entertainment, good food and good tours. I especially want to find cracked conch. Any recommendations for any of the above? Any advice on traveling alone?

Take and Island Tour, book a daysail to Sting Ray City, go to Rum Point, shopping in George Town when the cruise ships are not in port, go to the Botanical Gardens. Relax on 7 Mile Beach.

Can't help with food or entertainment, we did the AI plan at our hotel. Be weary that food and drink are very expensive and plan accordingly.

Cracked Conch restaurant has the best cracked conch on the island, in my opinion.

Cracked Conch is right next to the Turtle Farm. The conch fritters were great! Grand Cayman isn't an AI type place like the Mayan Riviera. Cayman has fantastic restaurants! Are you aware that the $1 is only worth $.80 there? It is expensive, but it's worth the money to me to be on a safe island. Other good restaurants--Calypso Grill, Pappagallo's, Cafe Med, Ragazzi. Definitely don't miss the Stingray City snorkel tour! Try caymanrestaurants.com to see menus.

I'll take $5K and live like a king on Jamaica instead of spending $5K to just get by in the Caymans. No question about it. As far as being "safe" goes....the Caymans have their issues as every island has. The government has a lot to do with what information gets released and to whom. Ivan has been an example of the misinformation given to foreign tourists. There is crime....everywhere! I hear it just recently hit St. Barth's. Welcome to the Antilles, Saint Bartholomew.

Thanks for the recommendations. I was in St. John a few months ago and I can't imagine Grand Cayman would be any more expensive! Plus it sounds like the restaurants are much better. Are the conch fritters mostly breading or are they calling cracked conch conch fritters?

Jeez CaribbeanSoul,

Your post was so helpful, just filled with suggestions for Grand Cayman....

Do you feel better now?

My suggestions for food & nightlife:

Don't miss the Reef Grill for dinner, and make sure you try their signature Sea Bass...it's amazing. After dinner, the restaurant is located right next to Royal Palms beach bar, which has live local music a few nights a week. I great place to spend a night out....

Cracked conch is conch which has been pounded out to tenderize it, then breaded and deep fried. Conch fritters are pieces of ground up conch with filler, made into balls and fried. Both are quite good.

Whenever safety is brought up, responses like CaribbeanSoul's always surface. Truth is, sure crime is everywhere, but it is not spread out evenly over these islands. Some are definitely safer than others. Jamaica--you couldn't pay me to go back. Was there in the 70's, offered drugs NUMEROUS times, tires slashed in our resort's parking lot, and told not to leave the resort at night. We ventured out a lot during the day and always felt wary of the surroundings. Also, so much political unrest and disdain to Americans was not pleasant. Was there again 5 years again and nothing had changed, including a very unwelcome feeling toward Americans.
Been to Cayman 3 times in recent years and feel fine driving on my own during the day and walking around anywhere with family at night. We're all entitled to our own opinions and this is just mine. For a woman going alone, I think Cayman is the best choice. And, yes, it is comparable to St. John costwise. Have a great trip!

Also, for some good gifts from locals, go to Pure Art, just south of Georgetown.

summer04:
What part of Jamaica did you go to??

We went to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

The post from summer 04 reminds me of a woman I met at Logan on the day of my departure to MBJ in April.

We were both alone and she initiated conversation with me. When I told her where I was going she was horrified, and went on, with great detail, about her trip (years past) to Jamaica.

I patiently explained that I had been to Jamaica before and didn't think that horror stories were appropriate just before boarding ;-) ! I finally waved my boarding pass and passport and wished her good travels to the safety of Minnesota !

It's much kinder to express concern/worries about destinations on this kind of forum than it is to do so at the airport.

No real moral or message intended here, I just thought it might be amusing ;-) to share the story.

Marion

summer04:

I was thinking that you probably went to MB or OR.I have heard other bad stories about both.I have heard that Negril is a good place to go.I plan on going there oneday soon.

Marion:

Yeah..that sounds a little rude of someone to discuss their horror story in the airport with someone who is going there.She could have just bit her lip.

Hi Christie...

Yes, it was one of those "are you kidding" moments !

What did she think I'd do ? Reclaim my luggage that had been checked and take off for a safer destination ?

After a Red Stripe (or two) while inflight, I was able to laugh about her insensitivity.

I think you would love Jamaica. Don't let the *fear factor* influence you !

Marion

Glad that you could laugh it off Until I found this site and have heard from people like Tiver,Caribbeansoul,ejcrowe and you..I would have been skeptical about going to Jamaica.This is a very informative site and I have learned alot of things from it.

I just cannot believe that that lady would so rudely do that to you..I mean you were on the way the Jamaica,I'm sure that you were excited..some people are just plain rude and hateful and really need to think before they speak.

BTW.. I will not let the *fear factor* affect me..being that bad things can happen anywhere...I guess that some people think that they live in a perfect crime free world. Not me and I have learned from your posts that you must be around my moms age..and they say that with age comes wisdom so I'm sure that the *fear factor* does not affect you either. Take care,Christie