The vast majority of vendors in the Cayman Islands will be able to accept card payments by international debit and credit card. All international card payments will be charged in USD.

The Cayman Islands Dollar is pegged to the US dollar at $1.2 USD for $1 KYD. However local vendors in the Caymans will often have their own rate for payments taken in USD, such as $1.10 or $1.05 USD per $1 KYD.

If you are going to pay by card in the Cayman Islands: Be aware of bank card fees and currency conversion fees for card payments in Cayman Islands dollars. Your bank’s KYD to GBP exchange rate may be quite bad. This is how banks make money.

Before using your bank card for payments in the Caribbean, it’s certainly a good idea to contact your bank. This will avoid your card becoming blocked due to international transactions that your bank may find suspicious.

Cash is still a popular and convenient payment method in the Cayman Islands. Paying in Cayman Island dollar cash is also a great way to avoid the card fees and currency conversion fees.

Some smaller vendors outside of George Town will only accept cash payments. This is also the case for street and beach vendors, taxi drivers, diving instructors, tour guides and salesmen at local markets such as Cayman Craft Market in George Town.

A coffee in the Cayman Islands costs around $4 KYD. For a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant the cost will be around $45 KYD per person.

Most tipping in the Cayman Islands is through a service charge added to the bill. If no service charge is added you should add 15% to the bill, given of course that you’re happy with the service received.