Florida is the closest US destination to the Cayman Islands and is perfect for a quick weekend away, whether it be for shopping or simply a change of scenery.
On This Page
With fairly similar weather to the Cayman Islands, Florida is the ideal destination for relaxation. Cayman Airways offers daily non-stop flights to Miami International Airport; flying time is approximately one hour and 35 minutes.
Miami
A great getaway for weekend shopping and entertainment, Miami has a huge variety of areas, such as South Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Dadeland.
Fantastic designer shopping can be found in Bal Harbour, Merrick Park in Coral Gables, Lincoln Road in stylish South Beach or Aventura Mall, a huge mall about 30 minutes drive from downtown Miami. There are a number of other malls which are great for bargain shopping such as the Dolphin Mall (particularly good for kids’ clothes) and Sawgrass Mills, about an hours drive from Miami.
Make certain not to miss the walking tours of MiMo (Miami Modern) or the Art Deco architecture.
Key Biscayne’s Crandon Beach Park has a carousel playground which is a big hit with the little ones or visit Jungle Island or Miami Metro Zoo to see animals. There is also the Frost Science Museum, the Miami Children’s Museum, and swimming with the dolphins at Miami Seaquarium.
For a more off-the-beaten-track adventure, take a short drive out to the Everglades and visit the Alligator Farm or take an airboat ride through its unique ecological habitat.
Cayman Airways and American Airlines operate direct flights daily to Miami and roundtrip fares are usually in the region of US$400.
Fort Lauderdale
With direct flights to Florida’s East Coast, it’s easy to explore Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront promenade or Las Olas Boulevard downtown.
Spend a weekend exploring the boat canals, roaming ‘The Strip’ promenade and treating yourself to some much needed retail therapy at Sawgrass Mills Mall, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the United States.
Southwest offers daily 91-minute flights to Fort Lauderdale which makes weekend travel to Florida’s South East Coast effortless.
Orlando
Located in central Florida, Orlando is home to dozens of theme parks and is the perfect vacation destination for families and those with kids.
It is hard to have a dull moment in Orlando with the amount of theme parks on offer.
Although Walt Disney put Orlando on the map, it is not just Disney World that makes this city the capital of theme parks around the world.
Explore Disney parks such as the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and, aside from Disney favourites, try Epcot and Universal Studios. Make sure to also leave time for the numerous waterparks.
Accommodation is spacious and affordable.
Tampa
A great destination for a relaxed yet lively getaway, Tampa offers a mix of shopping, culture, and family-friendly attractions on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Shopping can be enjoyed at International Plaza and Bay Street, Tampa’s premier retail and dining destination near the airport, or at Hyde Park Village, an open-air centre known for its boutiques and cafés. For bargain hunters, Tampa Premium Outlets, located about 30 minutes north of downtown, is well worth a visit.
Families will enjoy Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, combining thrilling rides with animal encounters, as well as The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park. For a day at the beach, the white sands of Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach are just a short drive away.
Nature lovers can also venture out to nearby parks and wetlands for kayaking, wildlife spotting, or a boat tour along the Gulf Coast.
Cayman Airways offer direct flights to Tampa, typically around US$350 and 1.5 hours.
