George Town

Bursting with condos and bristling with satellite dishes, the capital would resemble a generic North American urban area were it not for its undeniably Caribbean seaside setting. George Town's attractions include a modest historical walking tour that takes in the remains of the late-18th-century Fort George and the Cayman Islands National Museum, situated in the town's oldest building. The museum, one of the Caribbean's best, features changing exhibits on the islands' human and natural history. The Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum has dioramas on the islands' seafaring days and a robotic Black beard that spins yarns about the Caymans' swashbuckling past.

Otherwise, George Town functions mostly as a supply center and shopping mall. Stretching north along West Bay is Seven Mile Beach, which, if you don't mind the daisy chain of hotels, offers pristine white sand and good diving.

Hell

The jagged black rock formations in Grand Cayman's northwest once inspired a local official to exclaim, 'This is what Hell must look like.' The result has been a bonanza for the local post office, now painted fire-engine red and containing a resident 'devil.' This rather benevolent Satan (actually a devout Christian) asks 'How the hell are you?' and 'Where the hell are you from?' as he dispenses souvenirs.

Nearby is the Cayman Turtle Farm, the only one of its kind in the world. This government-run operation raises green turtles for purposes benign - increasing their population in the wild - and slightly more base - selling their meat and shells. As a tourist attraction, the much-promoted turtle farm is a bit lame. If you do want to look at a bunch of turtles hanging out in concrete tanks, keep in mind that you're probably not allowed to take turtle souvenirs home. Under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, the green sea turtle is an endangered species, and the importation of products made from it is illegal in countries that have signed the convention.

Pedro Castle

History buffs that promise not to be disappointed by a castle without ramparts, moat or drawbridge might consider dragging their carcass from the beach lounge to Pedro Castle. This imposing Caribbean great house dates from 1780, making it the oldest building in the Caymans, and it's been everything from jail to courthouse to parliament before recent refurbishments turned it into a museum. The Castle is touted as the islands' 'birthplace of democracy': it was here in 1831 that the decision was made to vote for elected representatives. Just as momentously, this is the place that the Slavery Abolition Act was read in 1835. The spic and span grounds showcase native flora, and there's a traditional wattle and daub house to look at and wonder where they fitted the pool table.

Pedro Castle is east of George Town; from the road towards Bodden Town, take a right at the Savannah turnoff.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park