Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Cayman Islands take card payments at check-in
I stayed in a guesthouse in Bodden Town, and they actually did ask for cash, which surprised me since everywhere else I went was card-obsessed. It wasn’t hard to find an RBC ATM nearby, but it taught me not to assume 100%. Cayman Islands are modern and connected, but if you’re staying outside George Town or Seven Mile Beach, it’s smart to ask your hostel in advance if card payments are possible.
I found Cayman Islands super card-friendly. My hostel by West Bay Road took Visa right at check-in. Same with restaurants and even small dive shops. Cash was useful only for tips and small buses. I wouldn’t worry about ATMs unless you’re heading to less touristy parts. If anything, the issue is high fees on foreign cards, not whether a hostel accepts them. So yes, you can mostly relax about last-minute ATM runs in Cayman.
Cayman Islands are very card-oriented, especially around George Town and the resort-heavy Seven Mile Beach. The hostel I booked took my Amex without issue, but another traveler told me their guesthouse asked for cash up front. ATMs were easy to find in town, so getting CI dollars wasn’t a headache. If you want to avoid stress, maybe bring enough cash for one night, but generally you can swipe your card without problems on the islands.
In George Town, hostels and guesthouses generally take cards, especially Visa and Mastercard. I stayed near Seven Mile Beach and had no trouble paying by card. That said, one smaller guesthouse gave me a discount for cash, so it can still help to carry Cayman Islands dollars. ATMs from Cayman National Bank and RBC are all over town. I wouldn’t stress too much about ATM runs here, but keeping a little cash is smart for smaller family-run places.