Low season in Grand Cayman?

[Dogbowl]

The high season in Cayman usually extends through April. Usually the prices start coming down in May through summer and get cheaper in the fall due to hurricane season. At least that is how it has worked in the past, but it has been a strange year in the Caribbean.

But the good news is that the dive and travel expo shows are starting up again. There is one in DC/Baltimore soon, and another in Dallas at the end of January, and a show in Chicago a few weeks later. The dive travel vendors usually start offering specials and packages that they can advertise during the shows - not just Cayman but for many popular dive venues and destinations - so I am hoping that we will start to see some better options soon. We will attend the Chicago expo and I will let you know if I see anything good for Cayman.

Also, as some of the islands that were hit hard by hurricanes rebuild, like the Turks and Caicos and the Virgin Islands, they should start offering attractive pricing to bring back business; so if some destinations get too pricey we may have other attractive options.

Great! I’ll watch for any news that you might bring! Thank you!

 

[KathyV]

By the way, although Grand Cayman wasn't directly hit by the hurricanes and tropical storms of 2017, the storms did have an impact on the island because there was serious beach erosion along a portion of seven mile beach - especially by the Marriott and the Comfort Suites. The beach was always kind of narrow in that area and now it is very tight, especially when the tide comes in.

Other portions of 7MB are still wide and sandy and gorgeous, like near the Westin (across from Sunshine Suites.)

A lot of folks are predicting that the sand will come back to the affected areas after they get some storms from a different direction, hopefully they are right about that.

But if I was paying such high prices for a beachfront resort or condo, I'd do some research first to make sure that there actually is a beach available. People pay big money for the GC Marriott and right now they aren't getting much beach time along that stretch of 7MB!

 

[tkaelin]

As stated, low season starts end of April for pricing most places. You pay a premium to be on SMB. Depending upon the number of travelers, a condo may make the most sense and economically one not located on 7mb. We rented 3 bdmrm condo upon on West Bay. Great shore diving on site but no beach for around $250/night off season. When we go to dive, on site shore diving more important than being on a beach. If traveling solo or couple this may not work but for three or more, especially more it can be very affordable.

 

[Saboteur]

The high season in Cayman usually extends through April. Usually the prices start coming down in May through summer and get cheaper in the fall due to hurricane season. At least that is how it has worked in the past, but it has been a strange year in the Caribbean.

But the good news is that the dive and travel expo shows are starting up again. There is one in DC/Baltimore soon, and another in Dallas at the end of January, and a show in Chicago a few weeks later. The dive travel vendors usually start offering specials and packages that they can advertise during the shows - not just Cayman but for many popular dive venues and destinations - so I am hoping that we will start to see some better options soon. We will attend the Chicago expo and I will let you know if I see anything good for Cayman.

Also, as some of the islands that were hit hard by hurricanes rebuild, like the Turks and Caicos and the Virgin Islands, they should start offering attractive pricing to bring back business; so if some destinations get too pricey we may have other attractive options.

Villa del Mar on Providenciales is offering every third night free after April 1. Bohio on GT is open, but some parts ofmthe resort are still under repair... prices dont look any lower to my memory than pre-hurricane.

 

[Doctorfish]

Grand Cayman has always been an expensive destination, and with the recent damage to other islands, is even more so now. We tend to go there low season. IMO, the diving is better then anyway, with warmer water and more likelihood of getting out to the north wall. You can rent a 2 BR garden view condo at the north end of 7MB at Christopher Columbus or Anchorage for about $225 per night, low season, and car rental is a bargain on the island. Other options would be Turtle Nest Inn Bodden Town, or East End. Dining out GC on a budget is always a challenge but you can find decent food at relatively reasonable prices at places like Sunset Grill, Lone Star, Chicken Chicken, Eats and others.

Boat diving prices are not inexpensive but you can economize a bit by using the same operator for the week and getting a discount and by mixing in some shore diving. If you want an "inexpensive" holiday, 7 MB GC is not the place.

 

[Dogbowl]

Grand Cayman has always been an expensive destination, and with the recent damage to other islands, is even more so now. We tend to go there low season. IMO, the diving is better then anyway, with warmer water and more likelihood of getting out to the north wall. You can rent a 2 BR garden view condo at the north end of 7MB at Christopher Columbus or Anchorage for about $225 per night, low season, and car rental is a bargain on the island. Other options would be Turtle Nest Inn Bodden Town, or East End. Dining out GC on a budget is always a challenge but you can find decent food at relatively reasonable prices at places like Sunset Grill, Lone Star, Chicken Chicken, Eats and others.

Boat diving prices are not inexpensive but you can economize a bit by using the same operator for the week and getting a discount and by mixing in some shore diving. If you want an "inexpensive" holiday, 7 MB GC is not the place.

I’ve always known 7MB was not inexpensive, but noticed a significant increase recently in the cost of accommodations.

I never thought of myself as being “impoverished” but I now kinda feel like when I drove through the winding roads of Monte Carlo in my Ford rental lol!