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The Cayman Islands are the most
prosperous islands in the Caribbean
chain with an average income of
around $35,000. The island chain
consists of three islands - Grand
Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little
Cayman. The prosperity of the
Caymans comes from the distinction
of having over 500 international
banking institutions, and over
25,000 registered companies located
on their shores. The Caymans don't
have the actual land mass to house
25,000 companies, instead they have
a unique registering system which
allows companies to be lawfully
registered by paying a fee, and then
hanging the companies' plaque on the
wall in a government building. It's
no wonder the Caymans are a haven
for offshore investments that
provide lucrative tax shelters. The
majority of vacationers to the
Caymans are not interested in tax
shelters, they come for the water
sports, beaches and family friendly
accommodations. Make no mistake
about it, water sports are King in
the Caymans. Here you find the
deepest water in the Caribbean, and
diving enthusiasts from all over the
world flock to the Caymans every
year. The largest and most popular
tourist island is Grand Cayman,
which is home to the majority of
hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
The smaller islands of Cayman Brac
and Little Cayman have a small local
population, limited accommodations
and restaurants. What they do offer
is a more secluded vacation spot
with less crowded beaches, limited
accommodations, great diving and
snorkeling, local cuisine, and an
opportunity to have more contact
with the local population. The
locals on these two islands feel
that their big sister island has too
many people, hotels, and traffic.
Most of the hotels on Grand Cayman
are located on the famous seven mile
beach. This island offers the best
in accommodations, restaurants, and
a variety of nightlife, activities,
and the islands best beach. Seven
mile beach is also home to many
villas and condos, which makes the
island a destination for families,
and long term vacationers.
Americans won't fine dining on Grand
Cayman any different from their
hometown. The food on the island is
very much influenced by the U.S. You
can fine gourmet restaurants across
the island, fast food burgers, and
lots of pizza. Now if you're looking
for an island with lots of tropical
flowers and color, you may be
disappointed. The Caymans do not get
much rainfall, and the island is
covered with mangrove swamps, lots
of cactus and lizards. The beauty of
the Caymans is found in the water.
The Caymans have very strict laws in
regards to protecting the coral reef
system, and the waters around the
island are some of the most pristine
in the Caribbean. Whether snorkeling
or diving, you will be able to view
an abundance of tropical fish, and
the wonderful azure colored waters.
It's fairly easy getting around
Grand Cayman, but do expect traffic
and remember driving is on the left.
Interesting places to visit include
the Turtle Farm, Stingray City, and
the town of Hell. The Turtle Farm is
located on the north shore of Grand
Cayman. Here you'll find a first
class research station and breeding
farm. This is one of the few places
in the Caribbean where visitors can
get an up close look at these
ancient giants. The huge green sea
turtles are approximately six feet
in length, and weigh up to 600
pounds. Even those not usually
impressed by turtles will find the
Turtle Farm of interest, and get
some great photos. Stingray City is
home to some of the friendliest
stingrays you'll ever find. It's
hard to tell who's having more fun,
the tourist or the stingrays. As
soon as the tour boat pulls up, the
stingrays immediately appear around
the area. The stingrays are used to
being fed, so if you plan on
interacting with them in the water,
be prepared with food - preferably
squid. It's quite overwhelming to
find a stingray completely hovering
over your body looking for food.
They don't bite, but instead leave
little "hickie" marks. One of the
most favorite towns is Hell, and the
favorite destination here is the
post office. Everyone wants to send
a postcard stamped from Hell. The
town sets on a jagged rock, looks
rather desolate, and they are not
many photo opps here. The locals are
quite friendly, always helpful, and
rather formal in their greetings.
The local population is a mix of
African and European ancestry, and
one of the more interesting
attributes of the local black
population is their reddish hair.
The local codes prohibit nude
bathing, and visitors are not
allowed to walk around town in their
bathing suits. Islanders are quite
serious about their environment, and
expect visitors to respect their
reefs, waterways and beaches.
Visitors found taking or damaging
coral or fish will not be treated
kindly by local officials. Overall,
the Caymans provide a great
destination for water sports
enthusiasts, families and beach
lovers.
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