Mastic Trail, Grand Cayman
To experience Grand Cayman in its primordial state, a hike on the Mastic Trail is the best available approximation. It follows the path of a road built in the colonial era that was once the primary connection between George Town and the isolated settlement at North Side. Now protected by the National Trust as the Mastic Reserve, the trail gives access to the largest tract of intact habitat for birds such as the “Grand Cayman Woodpecker”, “Cayman Parrot”, Vitelline Warbler, “Grand Cayman Spindalis”, and Grand Cayman Bullfinch.
Orientation
Directions
The Mastic Trail begins about 45 minutes’ drive (27 km) east of the George Town pier. Take Bodden Town Road east, turn north on Frank Sound Road, go 1.3 km and turn left immediately after passing the fire station. A little less than 1 km along this road, the trailhead will be on the right.
Nearby Sites. The side-road to Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is just 1.1 km north of the side-road to the Mastic Trail—the drive between Botanic Park and the Mastic Trail takes only about 5 minutes.
Birdfinding
All six Caymanian endemics are present along the trail, along with most other landbirds of Grand Cayman.
The trail is accessible at no cost to all visitors at all times. In addition, the National Trust offers guided tours on weekday mornings at a cost of U.S. $30 per adult and $15 per child. These must be arranged in advance.
Services
Accommodations
Most visitors stay in George Town or West Bay.
There are any number of expensive hotels along Seven Mile Beach, with the Ritz-Carlton and the Westin being the largest and most conspicuous—both are adjacent to Safehaven. Budget options are scarce.
Mid-Range. One of the best values along Seven Mile Beach is the Sunshine Suites Resort—also adjacent to Safehaven—which has fairly low rates and basic kitchens to help keep expenses down. The beach is three blocks away.
Another mid-range option adjacent to Safehaven on the eastern side of the peninsula is the Holiday Inn Resort, which offers probably the best value among Grand Cayman’s large, name-brand hotels. The Holiday Inn is family-oriented, with economical suites and recreational options that include excursions to Stingray City and the bioluminescent lagoon at Rum Point departing from its dock. Its rates are somewhat less competitive during school vacation periods.
Similarly priced, at the farthest tip of the peninsula in West Bay, near Barkers National Park and the Cayman Turtle Center, is the Cobalt Coast Resort, which caters especially to divers. It is on the waterfront and has a small sandy beach, but a jagged, dry reef separates the sand from the ocean. There is, however, a boardwalk and dock that give divers direct access to the ocean without having to leave the property.
Budget. In George Town proper, south of Seven Mile Beach, is the renowned budget hotel Eldemire’s Tropical Island Inn (a.k.a. Eldemire’s Guest House). It is a ten-minute drive from the airport and a five-minute walk from Smith Cove Beach.