It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms when traveling: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel before you leave home, or withdraw money upon arrival at an airport ATM.

While Grand Cayman is a highly developed financial hub where credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere, it is still advisable to carry some cash for specific situations. The local currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD), which is fixed to the U.S. Dollar at a rate of $1.00 KYD = $1.25 USD. You do not need to exchange money before you arrive, as U.S. Dollars are accepted at a 1:1.25 ratio across the island. Cash is particularly useful for tipping tour boat operators at Stingray City, buying small snacks from beach vendors, or using the local "public bus" system (which are actually small minivans that charge around $2–$5 KYD per ride). Additionally, if you plan to visit the quieter "East End" or "North Side" of the island, some smaller "mom and pop" shops may have credit card minimums or occasional machine outages. For 2026 travelers, the best strategy is to use a "no foreign transaction fee" credit card for major purchases (hotels, dinners, car rentals) and keep about $100–$200 in small USD bills for incidental expenses and tips. Be aware that if you pay in USD, you will often receive your change in KYD, which is a great way to get some local "souvenir" coins.