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HomeBlogTop Cayman Easter Traditions

Top Cayman Easter Traditions

March 21

Written By Morritt's

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Top Cayman Easter Traditions

Right up there with Christmas, Easter is a highly celebrated and important traditional holiday in Cayman and most Caribbean islands. As Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, this four-day long weekend is a good reason to come together with friends and family to celebrate, eat and partake in seasonal traditions.

Here are our top favourite Easter traditions in Cayman. If you’re on the island during Easter, we encourage you to jump in and celebrate like the locals do!

 

Easter Camping 

yellow tent pitched on a beach under the stars

Easter in Cayman means many things, and one of those things is camping. Once you see those tents popping up along Cayman Kai or Rum Point, you know the Easter weekend is here. In fact, you may notice a few modern conveniences sprinkled amongst the tents. Generators, televisions, kitchen equipment, furniture, crates of food and drink
even the odd Domino’s delivery or two – not a stone is left unturned when it comes to some glampers!

Modern conveniences or not, the camping experience allows families to come together and friends to drop by, sharing meals and swapping stories under the stars.

If you decide to join in on the fun, here are some tips to get you in a tent on the beach this Easter.

 

Easter Brunch

easter themed brunch with colourful finger foods

For some islanders, brunching is a way of life – particularly on a long-weekend! On Easter Sunday you will find all of Cayman’s usual brunch spots serving up mouth-watering dishes and of course, bottomless bubbles! Morritt’s offers a fantastic spread from 11am – 3:30pm, so you can take it easy and enjoy a lazy afternoon away from the hectic Seven Mile area.

 

Easter Church Services

close up of an easter verse in a bible

The message of Easter speaks of hope, love and renewal, and holds deep meaning with both religious and non-religious celebrators alike. Observing churches put on festive services, and it is a common sight on Easter morning to see families dressed in their Sunday finest as they attend the celebrations. In fact, many will head to church for the service, and return to their campsite afterwards!

 

Easter Egg Hunts

colourful easter eggs in the grass

What’s Easter without a good egg hunt? There are plenty of fun, family-friendly spring fairs and Easter egg hunts for the kids to enjoy during this time of year. If you want to experience Easter festivities at one of the most historic sites in Cayman, look no further than the annual Spring Fair at Pedro St James. There are games, egg hunts, live entertainment, food
and of course a special visit from the Easter Bunny!

Here at Morritt’s we also have a special egg hunt and treats for the kids, and the Easter Bunny tells us that we are his favourite stop on the island!

 

Fish Fries

island style fried fish

The humble fish fry is a delicious tradition that can be enjoyed in Cayman any time of the year. But in the run-up to Easter it becomes a popular staple for those partaking in meatless Fridays during the season of Lent.   

You can easily find fish fry huts dotted on beaches all over the island. In fact, just 8 minutes down the coast from Morritt’s will take you to Captain Herman’s Fish Fry – a green-and-blue shack surrounded by coconut trees, and the sound of the surf close by. Known for serving up fresh local fish (he’s a real captain!) and local flavour, this is a great place to relax with an island vibe.  

 

Easter Bun and Cheese

easter bun and cheese

This is an Easter favourite that is beloved in Cayman and across much of the Caribbean! You can find bun and cheese as a grab-and-go snack in all gas stations and supermarkets in Cayman. However, Easter is when this treat truly shines. A few weeks before Easter, supermarket shelves are stacked with huge boxes of bun and enormous tins of cheese, much to the delight of locals, who will buy in bulk to enjoy over the Easter season.

The bun is similar to a very dense, bready fruit cake. It is sliced and served with a piece of tinned cheese
trust us, this combination works! Bun and cheese is a sweet and savoury food experience that was born in Jamaica. It is thought that its origins come from the British hot cross bun – which is also consumed at Easter. Hot cross buns made their way over to Jamaica during its colonisation, and in turn, Jamaica made the original English buns their own.

If you want to take your bun and cheese to the next level, we highly recommend toasting a slice of bun, buttering it, and adding your cheese. It is simply divine!

 

Cayman Kitefest

colourful kite flying over the ocean

The origins of kite flying go back to nearly 3,000 years ago in China, where the kite was first popularised. Today, kites are loved in almost every corner of the world. Many Caribbean islands hold flying competitions over the Easter season, and Cayman is no different. The Cayman Kitefest at Kaibo is celebrated annually on Easter Monday as a way to usher in the upcoming summer months. Locals and visitors alike gather on the beach to fly kites, listen to live music, and sip on festively themed cocktails (we’ve heard the “Kite Runner” should be your drink of choice here).

Recommended Reading.

Top Cayman Christmas Activities

There really is nothing quite like a Cayman Christmas. What we lack in snow, we make up for with plenty of holiday spirit! Each year we look forward to that Christmas breeze and coming together with family and some good home cooking.

If you’re spending Christmas in the sand this year and you’re wondering what to do, we’ve got you covered. Here are our favourite Christmas activities right here in paradise.

 

Go on a light tour

Credit: Wayan Balitender 

Drive around Cayman any December night, and you’ll see that we take Christmas very seriously! This time of year, nearly every inch of the island is covered in festive, multi-coloured lights. Roundabouts, stores, houses, palm trees
all are decorated, and all are a sight to behold! It’s a tradition for many locals to take a night and “see the lights”. If you go, be sure to stop at some of the main crowd-pleasers:

  • Crighton family home (Shamrock Road)
  • Bodden sisters home (South Church Street)
  • Camana Bay

 

Buy local gifts at Pure Art

Credit: This is Cayman

Pure Art has made an appearance on quite a few of our “Top 10” lists, just because it truly is a unique gem on Grand Cayman. But if there is any time of year that you absolutely must see Pure Art at its finest, that would be Christmas. The store turns into a holiday treasure trove full of unique and exciting Christmas-themed gifts. Seashell ornaments, local jams, hand-painted mugs, scented candles, handcrafted jewellery
we could go on. Stop by and you won’t be disappointed!

 

Go on a George Town shopping spree

Credit: Jasmine Dreams 

There’s nothing like spending a breezy December afternoon doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. George Town offers plenty of duty-free stores selling jewellery, perfume, cosmetics, and much more. And when you need a break from your spree, there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants for you to relax and enjoy the views of George Town Harbour.

 

Stop by the Pink Ladies Christmas Bazaar

handmade items sold at the pink ladies bazaar in grand cayman

The annual Pink Ladies Christmas Bazaar has become a ‘must-attend’ tradition here in Cayman. Throughout the year, the charity’s volunteers are busy creating beautiful handmade crafts and decorations to sell at the event. A traditional British tea is also served, with delicate sandwiches and cakes. But that’s not all – the event hosts a number of stalls selling books, games, plants, and so much more. Tickets for the event are typically just $5 with all proceeds going towards local charities on the island.

 

Say hello to Santa 

santa hat in the sand on the beach

Cayman has a special place in Santa’s heart. Where else can he get a tan and have a few cold ones in peace? Actually, here at Morritt’s, this Christmas VIP is known for stopping by the resort on Christmas Day. Come to our Christmas Brunch and you are bound to run into him.

And while Santa told us he prefers Morritt’s, he does also make some appearances elsewhere on the island, including Camana Bay and Bayshore Mall.

 

Peruse the Christmas Market

Credit: Jasmine Dreams 

Every year Camana Bay does a fantastic job at turning itself into a Christmas wonderland, and its annual Christmas Market is just one example of this. If you’re looking for a festive evening where you can take in the lights, sights and sounds – this one is for you. The Christmas Market is always packed with beautiful artisan Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. It’s also a perfect spot for families to hang out and enjoy taking in all the splendour.

 

Watch the NYE fireworks on Seven Mile Beach

Credit: RM Vlogs Cayman

Perhaps not so much a Christmas activity, but if you’re looking for fireworks, there’s no better occasion than New Year’s Eve. Many locals make their way down to Seven Mile Beach, bringing their own food and drinks with them. After a few hours of celebrating in the sand, the countdown begins and multiple firework displays can be seen across the entire stretch of the island. If you want to avoid the crowds of Seven Mile Beach, come to Morritt’s – we host our own New Year’s Eve party with dancing and fireworks on the beach!

 

Listen to traditional kitchen band music

Credit: Swanky Kitchen Band – Topic

Before there were dazzling light displays, and busy Christmas Markets, there was the humble kitchen band. In days gone by, impromptu dances and celebrations were struck up in Caymanian kitchens, instigated by a lively band led by a fiddler. The end result is a blend of European sounds, African rhythms, and a party to remember! 

In fact, Christmas in Cayman used to look a lot different to what we covered in our list. It is good to look back and remember the old traditions. If you’d like to learn more about our Christmases of yesteryear, the National Trust has some great information on this.   

And don’t forget, Morritt’s has plenty of on-site Christmas activities, brunches, and more! If you’re looking for a warm and festive holiday to spend with your family this year, talk to us.  

December 15

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Three ‘Must-Have’ Caymanian Dishes

Delicious foods to try on your next visit!

There are certain flavours that come with Caymanian cuisine and Morritt’s adds its own special flare at our on-site restaurants.

Here are a few dishes we offer on our menus, as well as a recipe to try at home so you can feel that Caymankind spirit when you’re away from our shores. And if you are just browsing our site and have never experienced these foods, well you are in for a treat!

Breadfruit
Similar in texture and flavour to a potato, breadfruit is a popular side dish in Caymanian cuisine. It can be prepared much in the same way as a potato, with roasting in the oven being one of the most popular. Here at Morritt’s we turn it into fries and serve it with a light sprinkling of salt.

Cayman-style Beef
Beef has a special place in Caymanian culinary history. Several decades ago, before Cayman became the thriving tourism and financial centre it is today, beef was hard to come by and therefore expensive. This meant that it was typically only enjoyed as a special treat at Christmas time (also known as ‘Christmas beef’).

Cayman-style beef is stewed low and slow to yield tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef that is flavoured with onion, garlic and peppers (scotch bonnet, or seasoning peppers if you can’t take the heat!). Served up with a side of rice and beans, roasted breadfruit and fried plantain and you have yourself a perfect hearty meal!

Cassava Cake
Cassava is a starchy root that can be enjoyed in savoury applications, such as roasting, or in sweet dishes such as cassava cake. Like Cayman-style beef, many Caymanian families have their own recipe and secret tweaks for cassava cake – so much so, that it’s not unusual to see cassava cake competitions at local food festivals! Cassava cake is dense, sticky and deliciously sweet. Grating the cassava for this dish is labour intensive, but man is it worth it!

 

Cassava Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs Cassava, grated
  • 2 lbs Dark brown sugar
  • 2 cans Coconut milk (plus additional 3-4 cups of water)
  • 2 tablespoons Vanilla essence
  • 1 tablespoon Salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon Nutmeg, grated
  • 1 teaspoon All Spice
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Directions

  1. Bring coconut milk to a boil. Add sugar, stirring until completely dissolved and continue to boil for about 45 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the coconut milk/sugar mixture for later.
  2. Combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stir until well blended. Add hot coconut milk mixture and stir well. Mixture should be of a thick liquid texture.
  3. Use 2 tablespoons of coconut milk mixture to grease 9” baking pan. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake at 350ÂșF (basting occasionally with reserved coconut milk mixture) for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until knife inserted in centre comes out clean. Spread any remaining coconut milk mixture over top of cake. Place cake on top of stove to cool completely.

Recipe courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism – check out their website for this and other traditional Caymanian recipes!

October 1

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