By Tristan Ralston from Destination Magazine

Camana Bay, Grand Cayman: Camana Bay, a 600-acre mixed-use development located in the heart of Grand Cayman, invites travelers to enjoy a truly authentic experience with Caymanian culture through its signature weekly Farmers & Artisans Market and The Flavour Tour, as well as the launch of its new “All About Local” product guide.

The All About Local guide highlights more than 40 locally crafted goods and mementos, as well as items inspired by the islands’ natural beauty and storied history, all of which are available at Camana Bay. Camana Bay is home to more than 40 stores and restaurants – all of which are locally owned – making it the place to find local goods and products in the Cayman Islands.

Shopping local not only supports Cayman’s businesses and artisans, but also allows visitors the opportunity to return home with an exclusive keepsake found only in Cayman, while the experiences Camana Bay offers ensure that visitors get a real introduction to Cayman as a country, rather than simply a tourist destination.

On Wednesdays, Camana Bay is home to the weekly Farmers & Artisans Market, where vendors sell a variety of goods including local produce, jellies, specialty foods, gifts, jewelry, skincare products, crafts, teas, spices and more. Entertainers enliven the market with music, art and cultural demonstrations, and the festivities pick up throughout the afternoon as more artisans join and the market is infused with entertainment into the evening.

Following the Market, guests can join The Flavour Tour, where participants can experience the ingenuity of Camana Bay’s food community in action. For $84 USD, guests enjoy a dine-around dinner that highlights local flavors, ingredients and cooking styles at Abacus, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Mizu Asian Bistro + Bar and Ortanique. The experience begins with a champagne toast at West Indies Wine Company, followed by a visit to each restaurant to enjoy a small-plate course complemented by a feature cocktail pairing. The tour ends back at West Indies Wine Company for a taste of one of their 80 vintages. Tours can be customized for private groups of 12 to 20 people, and tickets are available at West Indies Wine Company.

Before even stepping foot on Grand Cayman, visitors can find out what local gems are sold at Camana Bay by browsing through the All About Local guide online at www.camanabay.com/local. Once on island, print editions can be picked up at Camana Bay’s Discovery Centre and select hotels.

For more on all things local in Camana Bay, visit www.camanabay.com/local.

ABOUT CAMANA BAY

A destination within a destination, Camana Bay is a vibrant town located in the heart of Grand Cayman. Stretching 600 acres from the famous Seven Mile Beach to the tranquil North Sound, this mixed-use master-planned community opened in December 2007 and is one of the first examples of New Urbanism in the Caribbean. Developed by Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. in collaboration with an award-winning team of visionaries, including Duany Plater-Zyberk (Seaside and Rosemary Beach, Fla.), Moore Ruble Yudell and OLIN Partnership, Camana Bay offers a unique mix of thoughtfully designed residential, commercial and public spaces, world-class shopping and dining, education and sports facilities plus family-friendly entertainment, events and attractions.

For more information on Camana Bay visit www.camanabay.com, like Camana Bay Fan Page on Facebook or follow Camana Bay on Twitter and Instagram.