Bodden Town, Grand Cayman

Bodden Town is the connecting district between the George Town and the eastern districts of North Side & East End. As you drive along you will begin to see the transition from commercial buildings to more residential areas as you head eastbound. Savannah (where I was raised) is the most developed as it features commercial complexes like Countryside Shopping Centre and Country Corner, which mean less driving to George Town to get what you need; groceries, dry cleaning, liquor store & restaurants. East of Savannah you’ll begin to see more of the local homes, farmland and even more coastal views. Even though there are limited restaurants, accommodations and activities between Savannah and Breakers, this district guide is curated to help you know everything you need to know.

Getting Around

Renting a car is the best option if you want to explore Bodden Town because it is 20 minutes away from the airport and 25 minutes away from Seven Mile Beach. You can consider hiring a taxi to get you into this area, but it would be quite expensive and could be a long wait before being picked up again. Public transport can be used as well, but expect buses to run a lot less frequently (~every 30 minutes) compared to west side of the island i.e. Seven Mile Beach/George Town.

Accommodation

There are a handful of villas and condos in this area, so visit Grand Cayman Villas, AirBnB and Cayman Villas to see what they have available.

If you’re looking for a luxury boutique resort then you should look into Black Urchin as it was newly built in 2022. Sitting on 2.5 acres you can choose to stay at one of two large private residences or one the two 4-bedroom suites that sit side-by-side and share an outdoor pool and bar overlooking the private beach. They have an in-house concierge to help you arrange any activities you’d like to do on island, plus catering is available by the talented Chef Remy Azavedo who works on the property.

Activities

Pedro St. James Castle: This historic site is one of Grand Cayman’s most popular attractions and is known as the “birthplace of democracy” as the decision to form a parliament happened here in 1831. It was bought by the government in 1991 was restored to it’s former glory. You can tour the 3-story “castle” with a local resident and learn about Cayman’s history and heritage, plus see the vast grounds that sit high among the cliffs and have one of the most beautiful views on island (making it a popular destination for weddings in particular). Feeling hungry? Visit Thatch & Barrel for a quick bite and a rum tasting.

Mission House: This landmark was originally built in 1907 and was donated to the National Trust in 1997. The original building was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, but it was rebuilt using traditional building techniques of that time. The property is a hub for Caymanian heritage, including a yard filled with medicinal herbs and fruit trees and a variety of historic artifacts inside the home. Along with tours, the National Trust also hosts Caymanian craft & cooking classes here regularly for anyone interested in learning the local way.

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