When it comes to shopping, Cayman is full of hidden treasures. Upscale boutiques abound and thanks to the absence of sales tax or import duty on many luxury items, there are significant savings to be made. Indeed, the sophisticated, high end stores are a match for any large, cosmopolitan city. There are equally plenty of quirky and unique locally-made products that make ideal gifts and souvenirs. Either way, indulging in a little retail therapy is a must while visiting the Islands.

George Town is the retail hub of the Cayman Islands, with the greatest concentration of perfume, jewellery, leather, crystal and china stores, although retail outlets can be found in various other shopping plazas and around Camana Bay.

Because gold, silver and gemstones are exempt of import duty, jewellery is often excellent value here and designers such as John Hardy, David Yurman, Pandora and Stephen Webster are all well represented. Loose gemstones are also available, with tanzanite a particularly popular option, and many stores have in house jewellers on hand to mount or set stones and adjust sizing.

Perfume stores are also well worth a visit and many also offer a range of luxurious beauty products alongside the fragrances. Hundreds of fragrances from around the world are available and new European-made perfumes tend to have a lower alcohol content than their US counterparts which results in a longer lasting fragrance and a lower price tag.

State of the art cameras are a further duty free item that it is worth considering purchasing in the Cayman Islands. As with all branded merchandise, if it is sold by authorised retailers it is fully backed by manufacturer warranties which are internationally recognised.

For those looking to take a little slice of Cayman home with them, there are a growing number of handmade, locally produced gift items that should not be overlooked. Hot pepper sauces and the delectable Cayman pepper jelly are found island wide. Keep an eye out for local natural soaps, lotions and candles as well. More traditional Cayman-style products include woven thatch, and jewellery using the semi-precious Caymanite stone.