There are several reasons why the Cayman Islands are an expensive destination. Most islands are more expensive than their mainland counterparts, in part because the majority of items have to be transported across the water. In the Caymans, high import taxes are also payable, which drives up prices for visitors. The Cayman Islands are attractive to wealthy investors and ex-pats and have a reputation for being high-end, which are further reasons why the Cayman Islands are more expensive than other Caribbean destinations.