In recent years, over 26 million adults with disabilities have traveled for business or pleasure, taking an impressive 73 million trips. Disabled travelers have many challenges to overcome; for instance, around 72% reported that they had encountered major obstacles with airlines and a slightly smaller percentage had difficulties at the airport itself. However, their choice of destination is one they have full control over. The Cayman Islands are an excellent choice for disabled tourists, with many giving this azure part of the world a five-star accessibility rating. Discover the features that lend the islands their impressive reputation for tourists with special needs.

The Cayman Islands are Wheelchair-Friendly

There are approximately 75 million people who use a wheelchair on a daily basis, representing 1% of the world’s population. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, MS, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s affect people from a wide range of ages, meaning that many families that travel have a family member who is able to enjoy greater mobility thanks to a wheelchair. The Cayman Islands are universally hailed as somewhat of a paradise for wheelchair users, because of their flat terrains, accessible vans and sea vehicles, and excellent sidewalk ramps in main tourist zones like George Town and Seven Mile Beach. 

Accessible Accommodation

Prior to visiting the Islands, guests should ensure that resorts are accessible. Just a few popular choices include the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Heights, the Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, and Sunshine Suites. Some have direct beach access, which may be worth prioritizing if you plan on spending a large part of your holiday by the sea. When selecting your resort, ask about features such as accessible routes from the public entrance to the restaurant, registration area, and guestrooms, accessible pool areas, and parking areas that accept vehicles that are specially outfitted for wheelchair users. Some hotels have features such as televisions with closed captioning or closed captioning decoders and assistive listening devices.

Things to Do

Disabled visitors can choose from a wide range of activities—including swimming with dolphins, viewing (and learning about) sea turtles, taking wildlife tours to discover more about iguanas and other fascinating sea and land creatures, and more. Grand Cayman, which is a relatively small island, enables guests to enjoy an array of activities in a single day. There are specifically organised wheelchair accessible snorkeling excursions, which allow you to combine animal interaction, swimming, and explorations of the beautiful sea and landscapes. Those into boating should check out cruise tenders, which have wheelchair access to the boats. Grand Cayman is also home to a host of accessible shopping centers with wheelchair ramps at the entrance. 

The Cayman Islands are a good choice for disabled travelers—especially those that use wheelchairs for mobility. The islands have a flat terrain and main areas have ramps that make it easy to get around and explore local areas. The Islands also offer the chance to participate in a host of activities that combine nature and wildlife discovery with relaxation and fun.