The most famous of these is Seven Mile Beach, a five-and-a-half mile stretch (thanks to erosion) of idyllic coast and tall Casuarina trees. Though most of the island's hotels and resorts are located along this margin, the beachfront is carefully preserved and open to the public –– so you can stroll the whole stretch without hassle.
George Town is the capital and major city, where nearly half of the island's population resides. There you'll find the cruise ports, the shopping districts, clubs and bars, a Hard Rock cafe, and the National Museum; in other words, it's casual tourism central, and the best place to rub elbows with strangers.
Outside of the capital, however, Grand Cayman's natural wonders reveal themselves. Head west to hike the Mastic Trail, a 200-year old footpath flanked by Cedar, Mahogany, and Black Mangrove trees, as well as the eponymous Mastic.
The West Bay section of the island features its major turtle farm, where thousands of Green Sea Turtles are raised each year for both food and release into the wild. This is also the home of Hell -- a bleak natural limestone formation with a nearby gift shop and post office that, from the depths of kitch, invite you to send home a postcard from Hell.
On the North Side resides the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a series of lush tropical gardens full of herbs and orchids, not to mention a butterfly garden and an iguana habitat. Finally, head to off the island at the North Sound to Stingray City, a series of shallow sandbars flush with friendly southern stingrays.
