Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Cayman Islands or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Taxis in Cayman Islands are generally cash-first. I had one driver who let me pay with card, but he added an extra fee. The rest preferred cash in either USD or Cayman dollars, both work fine. Hotels sometimes allow you to book and add it to your bill if you want to avoid carrying too much. But overall, day-to-day rides need cash. Just plan for it, because relying on a card reader working at the end of your ride is risky.
I used taxis quite a bit in Grand Cayman, and honestly most of them wanted cash. Some advertised that they took cards, but it often came with a surcharge or a machine “problem.” Apps like Uber or Lyft don’t exist there, so you’re limited to local taxis. U.S. dollars were accepted everywhere, so I didn’t even bother getting Cayman dollars. If you don’t want stress, carry enough cash and only count on cards in very specific cases.
When I stayed in the Cayman Islands, taxis cost more than I expected and were very cash-dependent. Only one driver said his card machine worked, and even then he suggested paying cash instead. Luckily, U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, so it wasn’t difficult. Just be aware there are no ride-hailing apps, so taxis are your only choice unless you rent a car. For convenience, I’d say carry cash and consider cards a backup, not your main option.
In the Cayman Islands, taxis are expensive but straightforward, and they mostly want cash. A few drivers said they had card machines, but one told me his “wasn’t working,” so I stopped trying. If you’re coming from the airport or booking through a hotel, you might be able to use a card, but otherwise cash is king. U.S. dollars are widely accepted at the same value as Cayman dollars, so you don’t necessarily need to exchange if you already have USD.