Barbados and Grand Cayman are two of the favorite destinations of visitors to the English Speaking Caribbean.
Our goal in this article is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of both islands in the event that you are struggling to decide which spot is better for your upcoming Caribbean vacation.
As a general rule, Barbados is ideal for individuals who are seeking white sand beaches and more night time entertainment options. Alternatively, Grand Cayman is ideal for individuals who want to enjoy the eating green stew turtle, swimming with dolphins and white sand beaches.
Read on for further details on how Barbados and Grand Cayman compare. This article is written by a Caribbean national.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Which Island Is Bigger
Known for horse racing in the Caribbean, Barbados is has the larger landmass of the two islands.
It is 166 square miles while Grand Cayman is 75.68 square miles.
The highest point of elevation in Barbados is Mt Hillaby which stands at 1,120 feet while the highest point in Grand Cayman is only 70 feet above sea level.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- What Are The Official Currencies
Barbados and Grand Cayman both have their own currencies. The official currency used in Barbados is the Barbadian dollar.
USD $1 is equivalent to BBD$2 and is also pegged to the US Dollar. The Barbadian currency is managed by its own local central bank.
Likewise, the official currency of Grand Cayman is the Cayman dollar (CI$) which replaced the Jamaican dollar in 1972.
At the time of publication, one Cayman dollar is USD$1.20 and Canadian $1.60. The Cayman dollar is managed by its central bank called Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Which Island Gets More Tourists
Based on statistics on the website tourism analytics, Grand Cayman is the island that receives significantly more tourism as per data from 2019.
The total amount of stopover visitors were 502,739 and cruise visitors totaled 1,831,011 for Grand Cayman.
The figures for Barbados were significantly lower being 712,946 for stopover visitors and 686,813 visitors respectively.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Which Island Has The Better Nightlife
Barbados has the better nightlife of the two destinations. As the larger of the two islands there are more entertainment options available.
The South Coast of the island is the place to be for entertainment on the island.
Locations such as Red Door Lounge and Copacabana Beach Club are well known spots for relaxing.
Barbados also has golf courses, clubs, casinos and other forms of entertainment.
A great event that happens every Friday in Oistins is the Fish Fry where individuals can buy local dishes as well as souvenirs and trinkets.
This event is also an awesome way to meet and interact with locals.
Grand Cayman is slightly quieter than Barbados in terms of entertainment.
Nevertheless, there are several forms of entertainment available on the island such as musicals and plays for those interested in the arts.
The Ritz Carlton Golf Course and the North Sound Golf Club are available for golf enthusiasts.
In terms of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, these are mainly concentrated on the Western end of the island.
Casanova restaurant is one of the spots to try out on the island.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Which Island Has Better Beaches
Barbados has better beaches of the two islands. Crane beach located on the southeastern end is one of the most popular beaches on the island.
Its pink sand and beautiful waters have earned it several accolades. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. The beach shares it shores with the hotel Crane Resort.
Alternatively, Seven Mile Beach is the most popular and well-loved beach in Grand Cayman by locals and tourists alike.
This beach is six miles of stunning white sand and it shares its shoreline with major hotel brands such as The Marriott.
In recent times, Seven Mile Beach has experienced erosion reducing some parts of its shoreline and also its sides.
Nevertheless, it is still a glorious beach and the best on the island.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Which Island Has Better Cuisine
Both islands are known for having the typical West Indian cuisine such as rotis and rice and peas.
Additionally, seafood is a main ingredient in many of the meals served on the islands.
Nevertheless, the national dish of the islands differs. The national dish of Barbados is cou cou and flying fish.
Cou cou is made with corn flour which is allowed to simmer in coconut milk. One needs to ensure and stir consistently to avoid lumps.
Alternatively, if you love exotic meat, Grand Cayman is the destination to visit with the national dish being green turtle stew.
This is often served with sides such as rice, beans, plantains and salad. It is legal to consume green turtle in Grand Cayman.
Barbados Vs Grand Cayman- Activities To Try On The Islands
Andromeda Tropical Garden, Barbados– this is a six acre garden located in Bathsheba in the parish of Saint Joseph.
This garden is open every day except bank holidays. There are several types of flora and fauna such as ferns, orchids, palms, bougainvillea and hibiscus.
There is a café and gift shop at this location where you can buy refreshments as well as local craft items and souvenirs.
Dolphin Discovery, Grand Cayman- is an indoor pool where you can interact and swim with dolphins. This includes hugs, kisses and fast belly rides.
Final Thoughts
On a whole, Barbados is ideal for travelers who want to explore many species of flora and fauna while enjoying a vibrant nightlife atmosphere. On the other hand, Grand Cayman is suitable for visitors who are interested in enjoying exotic cuisine, white sand beaches and swimming with dolphins.
Need More Information?
We hope that you found this article informative and helpful as you plan your Caribbean adventure.
Feel free to browse our website for more content on Barbados, Grand Cayman and the rest of the Caribbean using the search bar located at the top of this page.
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