26 Best Places to Shop in Cayman Islands

This shop is the domain of Martina and Philip Cadien, who studied at Germany's prestigious Pforzheim Goldsmithing School. The showroom sparkles appropriately, with breathtaking handcrafted pieces—usually naturally colored diamonds set in platinum or 18K white, yellow, and rose gold—framed and lovingly, almost sensuously lit. Although there are simpler strands, this is a place where flash holds sway; the prices take your breath away, but the gaudy gems are flawless.

Artist and raconteur Tenson Scott fashions exquisite jewelry from Caymanite (he climbs down from the lighthouse without ropes to chisel the stone), triton shells, sea eggs, and more unusual materials—hence the name, which stands for Native Island Made. His wife, Starrie, creates delicate works from sea urchins, hardening the shell with epoxy: cute turtles, bud vases, and planters decorated with minuscule shells.

On the George Town waterfront, Artifacts sells Spanish pieces of eight, doubloons, and Halcyon Days enamels (hand-painted collectible pillboxes made in England), as well as antique maps and other collectibles.

Optimally located downtown and one of the leading shopaholics' targets (you can't miss the cotton-candy colors), this mall contains a Kirk Freeport department store branch (with everything from Tag Heuer to Herend porcelain and Mikimoto to Mont Blanc), swank Lalique and Lladró boutiques, La Parfumerie (which often offers makeovers and carries 450 beauty brands), and other usual luxury culprits.

Blue Wave and Waterman surf and clothing shops have the same owners (Waterman is in Seven Mile Beach). At the George Town shop you'll find brands like Billabong, Quicksilver, and Olukai, plus essentials like sandals, sunglasses, and surfboards.

The store has a collection of the acclaimed underwater shutterbug's spectacular color and limited-edition black-and-white underwater photos as well as the latest marine camera equipment. Cathy will autograph her latest coffee-table book, talk about her globe-trotting adventures, and schedule private underwater photography instruction on her dive boat, with graphics-oriented computers to critique your work. She also does wedding photography, above- and underwater.

This small courtyard shopping center is noted for its specialty jewelers and antiques dealers.

A statue points the way into this tobacco emporium, which sells the island's largest selection of authentic Cubanos (and other imports), including such names as Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, and Cohiba, displayed in the dark, clubby surroundings. The enthusiastic staff will advise on drink pairings (bold older rum for a Montecristo No. 2, cognac for smaller Partagas Shorts, a single-malt scotch such as Glenmorangie for the Bolivar Belicoso Fino). There's a small airport branch as well.

This mall caters to more casual shoppers with the T-shirt Factory, Island Treasures, Havana Cigars, Blackbeard's Rumcake Bakery, and the Surf Shop. It also contains a kid-pleasing 12,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with sharks, eels, and stingrays.

Nicknamed Blue Plaza for its azure hue, Galleria Plaza features several galleries and exotic home-accessories stores dealing in rugs or Indonesian furnishings, as well as more moderate souvenir shops hawking T-shirts and swimwear.

Hurley's is open Monday–Saturday 7 am–11 pm. It's well-known for its hot takeout dinner specials.

Locals appreciate Island Jewellers for its affordable line of watches, especially top-notch Swiss brands, from Movado to Marvin and Maurice Lacroix, and selection of stunning diamonds and jewelry. There's another branch with similar inventory in the Flagship Building.

Here you'll find 15 duty- and tax-free stores, including Swarovski Boutique, Island Jewellers, and Churchill's Cigars (with bars like Margaritaville to de-stress in after binge shopping).

This downtown shopping center, home to the Kirk Freeport flagship department store, is ground zero for couture; it's also known for its boutiques selling fine watches and jewelry, china, crystal, leather, perfumes, and cosmetics, from Baccarat to Bulgari, Raymond Weil to Waterford and Wedgwood (the last two share their own autonomous boutique). Just keep walking—there's plenty of eye-catching, mind-boggling consumerism in all directions: Boucheron, Cartier (with its own miniboutique), Chanel, Clinique, Christian Dior, Clarins, Estée Lauder, Fendi, Guerlain, Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nina Ricci, Rolex, Rosenthal and Royal Doulton china, and more.

This store is open Monday–Saturday 6:30 am–9:30 pm and is a particularly good source for traditional Caymanian fast food (oxtail, curried goat) and beverages at the juice bar. It also carries the largest selection of organic and special dietary products; the pharmacy (Monday–Saturday 8 am–9 pm) stocks homeopathic and herbal remedies.

Stores in the Landmark sell perfumes, treasure coins, and upscale beachwear; Breezes Bistro restaurant is upstairs.

Befitting its name, Magnum Jewelers traffics in high-caliber pieces by the elite likes of Girard-Perregeaux and Harry Winston for a high-powered clientele. A talented team sources distinctive contemporary watches and bijoux (especially increasingly rare colored diamonds) for its equally glittery celebrity clientele, who appreciate a bargain like the rest of us. Smaller spenders might appreciate whimsical items such as pendants with hand-painted enamel sandals or crystal-encrusted purses.

Formerly the Books and Books store, this sprawling bookstore is a literary haven with two entire rooms devoted to kids with toys, educational games, and books from toddler to YA; twice-weekly story and craft time keep them occupied while parents browse. Starbucks is also next door.

About 1½ miles south of George Town, Pure Art purveys wit, warmth, and whimsy from the wildly colored front steps. Its warren of rooms resembles a garage sale run amok or a quirky grandmother's attic spilling over with unexpected finds, from foodstuffs to functional and wearable art.

This gallery more than fulfilled one of the resort's conditions upon securing rights to build, which was to commission local artists and artisans to help decorate the public spaces. The corridor-cum-bridge spanning West Bay Road became a gallery where Chris Christian of Cayman Traditional Arts curates quarterly exhibitions of Cayman's finest (there are also theme shows devoted to photography and local kids' art). Each piece is for sale; CTA or the hotel will mediate the negotiations between artist and buyer at a favorable commission.

In the heart of George Town owner Rakesh Baksani handpicks only the most stunning and desirable rocks—emeralds, sapphires, tanzanites, and of course, glittering diamonds. You'll find them all on display at competitive duty-free prices on the bustling waterfront in the country's capital.

This mall has branches of Tortuga Rum and Blackbeard's Liquor, Polo Ralph Lauren, and another Kirk Freeport (this location is particularly noteworthy for china and crystal, from Kosta Boda to Baccarat, as well as a second La Parfumerie). You'll also find ATMs galore so you can withdraw cash.

The shop carries simple resort wear, T-shirts, bonnets, handbags (usually with the Brac logo), and black coral and Caymanite jewelry, as well as a small selection of books, including pamphlets on local birds and fish.

Dubbed Pink Plaza for reasons that become obvious upon approach, West Shore offers upscale boutiques and galleries (tenants range from Chicken! Chicken! to Treasure Tee).