Cayman Islands Travel Guide
Our website explores the take a trip information towards the by considering various elements of . We encourage you to browse via the choices. Regardless of whether you're a resident, an expatriate or even a tourist you'll discover these ideas and hints really helpful when you are about the island. It offers take a trip guides about exactly where to go for dining places, hotel evaluations, points to accomplish about the island, vehicle rentals, nightlife, transportation within the and warnings and dangers and location remain away from. This really is an invaluable information created by people for travelers and locals alike, this information utilizes photos along with other resources to highlight this alternative together with maps and so on. Buying within the to buy souvenirs and in bond buying can also be of excellent advantage and we explore the ideas and hints in this Take a trip Information.
Airport Dining places Climate Actual Estate Currency Vacations Visas & Passports Communication Nightlife Transportation Buying Water Sports
Airports Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM): This really is the major airport within the and is situated just two miles east of George Town, the capital of Grand Cayman. Local time is on Greenwich Meridian Time and the airport can be contacted at (345) 943 7070. Moving into the city from the airport can be done by taxis or depending about the hotel you're staying at there are courtesy buses available. There are also several major vehicle rental companies about the premises. The airport has facilities including outgoing duty-free shops, dining places and drinking bars. There are also Automated Teller Machines and currency exchange facilities within the main terminal building. A tourist info help desk can also be within the airport and there are exceptional facilities for disabled passengers with special needs. Despite the fact that disabled passengers are advised to contact their airline in advance for further info. Parking at the airport can be for a short or long-term. The government charges a departure tax of US$25.00. Gerard Smith Airport (CYB): This Brac airport is situated just five miles from the West End on Brac, the second largest Islands. Operating about the same time frame as the Owen Roberts International Airport, movement to and from the airport can be done using taxis or Brac vehicle rental via Avis and Hertz vehicle rental companies that have cars available for hire at the airport.
Climate and Weather The weather is good all year round within the and the trade winds prevent the climate from getting too hot. The main tourist season is between December and April, this works well as the rainy season runs from May to November and travelers keep checks on weather reports as this really is also the hurricane season. The wet season during t his time period is possibly the best time to visit as room rates are lower, the beaches are less crowded and rainfall comes in short bursts that does not affect on holiday take a trip. The chart below speaks towards the average rainfall and climate within the over a period of a year.
Currency The Dollar or the KY Dollar is the official currency, which is divisible by 100 cents. The dollar has a fixed rate against the US dollar at US$1.25. Most other currencies can be exchanged at the local banks, cambios and many hotels. Island banks are normally open Monday via to Saturday. Even though the strength of the dollar the US Dollar is accepted as payment by most merchants and is actually the preferred currency for exchange as both cash and as travelers checks. Automated Teller Machines are widely available and most major credit and all international debit cards are accepted by most merchants and hotels.
Passport & Visa Requirements Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals do not require a passport for take a trip towards the providing they hold proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, accompanied by an official photo ID (e.g. driver's license), and do not remain longer than six months. Passport or other documents must be valid beyond the period of intended remain. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months are possible). Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals do not require a passport for take a trip towards the providing they hold proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, accompanied by an official photo ID (e.g. driver's license), and do not remain longer than six months. Passports or other documents must be valid beyond the intended period of remain. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months is possible) for passport holders endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories Citizen.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals do not require a passport for take a trip towards the providing they hold proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, accompanied by an official photo ID (e.g. driver's license), and do not remain longer than six months. Passport or other documents must be valid beyond the intended period of remain.
No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months are possible). Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals must have a valid passport beyond the period of intended remain. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions are possible for up to six months). Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a passport valid beyond the period of intended remain within the Islands. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months are possible). Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid beyond the period of intended remain. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months are possible). Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid at least beyond the intended period of remain and no visa is required for stays of up to 30 days (extensions of up to six months are possible). Passport/Visa Note: All visitors are required to hold sufficient funds for intended period of remain within the Islands, as well as a return or onward ticket and documents required for further take a trip. Entry may be refused if not complying with general appearance, behavior and clothing requirements. Visas are usually for 30 days, provided coming for tourist purposes. Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Buying The enjoy a duty-free status and our capital of George Town in Grand Cayman is one of the most attractive buying centers within the Caribbean. Here you will discover not only the main duty-free shops, but also a fine selection of fine jewelers, specialty and souvenir shops as well as a variety of casual dining places. Stores in George Town are closed on Sunday. A large enclosed vehicle park provides parking space in George Town's Piccadilly Vehicle Park, next to Hobbies & Books on Elgin Avenue. You will discover a good selection of traditional duty free items such as watches, china and crystal, perfumes and fine jewelers-including authentic treasure coin jewelers - on Grand Cayman and at a few stores on Brac. Prices on perfume, watches and select luxury items may be as much as 30% cheaper here.
Communications Telecommunications: Telephone service providers within the include Cable & Wireless, Digicel and AT&T. Service is available 24 hours a day. The area code is (345) followed by seven digits. Long-distance access numbers include: AT&T USA DIRECT: 1- (800) 872 – 2881 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 872 – 2881 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; US SPRINT 1- (888) 366 – 4663 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (888) 366 – 4663 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and MCI DIRECT: 1- (800) 624 – 1000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 624 – 1000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Area codes and detailed instructions for international calling are included within the first few pages of the Telephone/Services Directory.
Card-Phone service is now available at select locations on all three islands. Pre-paid phone cards in values of CI$10, $15 and $30 can be purchased at the C&W main office in Anderson Square in George Town; at the Brac post office and most services stations. Internet connections for visitors: You can dial 976-4638 and connect at CI$0.12 per minute. No log on or password is required. Electrical System: Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd., known locally as "CUC", commenced operations as the only public electric utility in Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Islands, in May 1966. Electricity within the is equivalent to standards used in North America. IE: 60 cycles and 110 voltages.
Radio: The has many local radio stations: Government-owned Radio , which is heard throughout the three islands; Rooster 101.1 country music radio; Heaven 97 Christian radio; and ICCI-FM, based at the International College of the and staffed by Journalism student volunteers. Television: There are four local television stations: CITN (channel 27); CTS (24); CCTV, Christian Television (21) and CATN/TV-30 Adventist Television Network. The government franchise granted to CITN and CTS also allows them to provide local wireless cable television service (WESTAR). CCTV, which relays 24-hours Christian programming from Trinity Broadcasting Network in Santa Ana, CA, is funded privately by local citizens. WESTAR provides many American network stations such as NBC, ABC, CBS and TNT, as well as specialty stations such as the Discovery Channel, HBO, USA and TMC.
In addition, there are many satellite television systems available within the Islands. Local video clubs, including Blockbuster Video outlets, are popular in Grand Cayman and Brac, and visitors can arrange temporary accounts using major credit cards. Grand Cayman also boasts a new video club, "Reel Video", located within the Airport Buying Centre. Both Blockbuster and Reel Video offer movies and television shows on VHS and DVD, as well as having a large selection of video games.
Transportation Taxis: Upon arrival in Grand Cayman taxis are available at Owen Roberts International Airport and offer a fixed rate per automobile or per person to all factors about the Island. This info is available from the taxi dispatcher at the curb. Hotels vans cannot provide courtesy arrival pickup at the airport in Grand Cayman Taxis is readily available from all resorts and from the taxi stand at the cruise ship dock in George Town. A sign with current rates is posted at the dock. Rental Cars: Rental Cars can be pre-booked before arriving in Grand Cayman, advisable during our busy winter season, and most can be picked up at the airport or delivered to your hotel. has one of the Caribbean's most extensive modern fleets of rental cars, and many feature right hand drive. In addition, most rental jeeps and vans are right hand drive, left hand stick shift. A variety of models of rental cars at competitive rates are available in Grand Cayman and a limited number on Brac and Little (jeeps and 4-wheel drive only). Driving is about the left throughout the and it is the law to wear seat belts. Visitors must obtain temporary drivers licenses from the vehicle rental agency, easily granted upon presenting a valid drivers license from their home state, county or parish.
You must be 21 to rent a vehicle within the Islands, and some rental agencies' insurance will not cover renters under 25. Check with your rental company in advance to determine. Limousine services: There are several private limousine services on Grand Cayman, for special events and airport transfers. Public Transport: A public bus terminal is located adjacent the Public Library on Edward St. in downtown George Town and serves as the dispatch point for buses to all districts. There are several mini-buses operated by licensed operators, serving eight routes. Daily service starts at 6 a.m. from the depot. Mopeds and scooters: These are also available on Grand Cayman and Brac. Riders are required by law to wear a helmet at all times and urged to be extremely careful and remember to remain about the left. Daily rates usually include helmet and permit. Rental bicycles: Are available on all three islands. (Including 10-speeds and mountain bikes on Grand Cayman). On Brac and Little most hotels have bicycles available for complimentary guest use.
Water Sports
Diving: Diving is the Number One Water sport within the Islands. Renowned the world over for its spectacular diving, our small colony has many exceptional dive operators to reflect this popular activity. There are over 40 in Grand Cayman, 5 dive operations in Little , 3 in Brac, and live aboard dive boats are also available. Regardless of whether you're a complete beginner or even a dive master, provides you every type of professional dive service, including equipment sales, rentals and repairs and scuba instruction at all levels. Nitrox and technical diving instruction and services are one of 's newest dive offerings. In addition, there are several full service underwater photography and video centers with E-6 processing services on all three Islands. A mixture of shallow, wall and wreck dives make up the almost 200 dive sites among the three Islands, your choice is endless. Grand Cayman alone has close to 120 dive sites, some with beach access, others by boat. Brac and Little give you another 40 or so each to choose from. Most tourist publications will have a map of these dive sites, as will the concierge desk at your hotel or apartments, or ask for more details at the dive operators of your choice. For a unique shallow dive visit our famous Stingray City. Here, more than 30 Southern Atlantic stingrays swim freely with snorkel and divers in 12 feet of water. The website can be reached only by boat.
All divers who wish to dive must show proof of certification (C-Card) under the regulations of the Water sports Operators Association members (CIWOA). Safety and marine conservation are key components of all diving within the Islands. The maximum sport diving limit of 110 feet applies to all CIWOA operations. You can be reassured that has a government owned two-man double lock recompression chamber, located at the George Town Hospital. It is manned on a 24-hour on call basis by trained staff supervised by a doctor trained in hyperbaric medicine. If diving isn't your sport, or you simply want a day off, try one of the many other water sports on offer; these include, Snorkeling trips; North Sound snorkeling/ beach lunch trips with local ian captains to Stingray City; Atlantis XI submarine, a unique underwater experience on a actual submarine for non-divers and divers alike, or if you truly want an adventure try the 2-passenger deep diving subs; Mistral and BIB windsurfing centers, Nautilus and Sea world Explorer (semi submersibles) and glass bottom boat trips; Para-sailing, Water-skiing, Ocean kayaking; Small sailboats; Replica pirate sailing vessel and tall ship offering themed along with other cruises; Sunset cocktail, Dinner and daytime snorkeling cruises; Wave runners and a variety of "beach/water toys" for rent at hotels along Seven Mile Beach; at Rum Point and East End. Deep sea fishing for blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, Wahoo, dolphin, barracuda, grouper, snapper and so on; Light tackle fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit (the Sisterare best).
Nightlife
The offer an enjoyable variety of nightlife and entertainment. Bars, clubs and dance halls must close by 3:00am on weekdays and midnight on Saturdays. There are no nightclubs open on Sunday. When you arrive, consult our local publications for the latest listings. These include Friday's edition of our local daily newspapers the ian Compass and Net News, and local informational magazines like Key to , What's Hot, and Destination . Most of these magazines can be picked up free of charge at hotels, supermarkets, and coffee shops around the island. You also can check the Events section on this web site for upcoming events. You will discover info about local performances, what's playing at the movies, and what special events are currently happening about the island. Offerings include: Night Life: The Next Level, The Matrix, and Chameleon are just a few of the many lively nightclubs in Grand Cayman. Pre-club dancing can be found at The O Bar or Bed Lounge. Many clubs offer a V.I.P. section and drink specials. Not into the busy club atmosphere? Not to worry: there are lots of other choices, including pool halls, lounges and the cinema. Local Flavor: Top local bands appear regularly at most nightclubs and major hotels. Popular local bands include Coco Red, Exit, 45 C.I., Lammie, Heat, Gone Country, Hi-Tide, and Mainstream. Live Entertainment:
The Lions Centre in Red Bay on Grand Cayman is the area for a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from concerts by top names in Caribbean and International music to country, pop and rock performers from the US. There are also occasional stage productions, contests, pageants, and sports events. Theatre: The Harquail Theatre on West Bay Road is the venue for cultural events including stage productions sponsored by the National Cultural Foundation, including plays by ian along with other West Indian playwrights, dramas and comedies by Caribbean performers and special events such as art exhibitions and concerts. The Prospect Playhouse in Red Bay features year-round regular performances of comedy, drama and musicals by the Drama Society. About the Water: There is a wide variety of sunset and dinner cruises offered by local water sports operators. Searching for something romantic? Spend the evening aboard a replica pirate ship, or dine and dance under the stars on a 19th century tall ship. On Brac: There are occasional weekend dances exactly where local bands perform. Community events including talent shows along with other stage and musical presentations at the Aston Rutty centre provide the island's main nightlife; if you want more privacy, consider a romantic walk under the stars and enjoy some good-old-fashioned conversation. TOP 100 CAYMAN ISLANDS ARTICLES ON THE WEB |