Yes, all visitors to The Cayman Islands are required to have a valid passport. This includes both adults and children. If you do not have a passport, make sure you give yourself ample time to apply for and receive your passport prior to scheduling your flights and booking your accommodations.

For the vast majority of international travelers in 2026, a valid passport is an absolute requirement for entry into the Cayman Islands. However, there is a specific exception for U.S. citizens who are "closed-loop" cruise passengers. This means if your cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port (such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale) and visits the Cayman Islands, you may technically enter using a government-issued photo ID and an original birth certificate. Despite this, both the Caymanian government and cruise lines strongly recommend a passport in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected illness or a missed ship departure, which would require you to fly back to the U.S. Travelers from Canada, the UK, and other nations must always present a passport. Furthermore, all visitors must comply with the digital entry forms required by the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control in 2026, which usually ask for passport details to be uploaded in advance for a smoother arrival process.