CAYMAN
ISLANDS TRAVEL TIPS
A collection
of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Here
you will find the most important informations about Cayman Islands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Cayman Islands are three islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little
Cayman, located in the Caribbean Sea. The total area of the three islands
is about 100 square miles. Grand Cayman is about 76 square miles, Cayman
Brac, 14 square miles and Little Cayman, 10 square miles.
All the islands lack rivers or streams because of the porous nature of
the rock and the absence of hills or valleys. The lack of water and sediment
runoff into the sea gives the islands the amazing clarity of water around
them. In the rock are many cracks and fissures. Soil is found mainly in
pockets, though there is arable land, noticeably on top of the Bluff on
Cayman Brac. If you plan to travel Cayman islands, take a moment to brush
up on the travel tips that will help you be
more prepared for travel anywhere in Cayman Islands.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Area: 262 sq km (102 sq miles).
Population: 40,900 (as of 2000).
Population
Density: 156.1 per sq km.
Capital: George Town. Population: 20,626 (1999).
Government: British Crown Colony since 1670. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth
II, represented locally by Governor Bruce Dinwiddy since 2002. |
|
Language: English is the official language, with a distinctive ‘brogue’
reflecting heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors still distinguishing
the speech of the Caymanian people. The number of Jamaican residents in
the workforce means the Jamaican patois and accompanying heavier accent
is also common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America
and Cuba, is also widely spoken.
Religion: Mainly Presbyterian with Anglican, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day
Adventists, Pilgrims, Pilgrim Holiness Church of God, Jehovah’s
Witnesses and Bahai minorities on Grand Cayman; Baptists on Cayman Brac.
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.
GEOGRAPHY: The Cayman Islands are situated in the Caribbean,
290km (180 miles) northwest of Jamaica, 240km (480 miles) south of Cuba
and 770km (480 miles) south of Miami. The island country comprises Grand
Cayman, the largest and most populous of the islands, and the sister islands
of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, which lie approximately 143km (89 miles)
northeast of Grand Cayman and are separated from each other by a channel
about 11km (7 miles) wide. The islands are peaks of a subterranean mountain
range extending from Cuba towards the Gulf of Honduras. The beaches are
said to be the best in the Caribbean, the most notable being Seven Mile
Beach on Grand Cayman. Tall pines line many of the beaches; those located
on the east and west coasts are equally well protected offshore by the
Barrier Reef.
TOP
CAYMAN
ISLANDS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The
Cayman Islands continually aims to ensure that visitors to our shores
are able to proceed through customs and immigration in an efficient and
hassle free manner. Visitors that deplane in Grand Cayman are welcomed
by the sweet sound of live music as they proceed into the arrivals lounge.
Professional immigration and custom service agents process visitor documentation
and get you on your way to enjoy your Vacation. In order to ensure that
you have a hassle free experience when passing through our borders, please
have the following items prepared and available to the agent, a completed
Tourist Identification Card (will be provided by airline staff), proof
of identification (please see criteria below), and a completed Customs
declaration card. Once you proceed past the immigration area, please take
the opportunity to visit our visitor information booth located in the
baggage area of the arrivals lounge. Click here for
Visa Informations
Entry
Requirements for the Cayman Islands:
Tourist
Information Booth Arrival Lounge
(Grand Cayman)
United States, British, Canadian citizens as well as citizens of British
Dependent Territories Do Not Require passports, but must present proof
of Citizenship and a return or ongoing airline ticket. Note: a Voter's
Registration Card or a Social Security Card is not considered valid proof
of US citizenship and is therefore not valid Identification for re-entry
into the United States. Proof of Citizenship include:
- Passport
or Birth certificate with a raised seal &
- Photo
Id (i.e. Driver's License)
*
Photocopies of Birth Certificates need to have the copy notarized by a
Notary Republic.
Commonwealth
citizens, and citizens of the following countries must have passports
but do not require Visas to enter the Cayman Islands:
| Andorra |
Argentina |
Austria |
Bahrain |
| Belgium |
Brazil |
Chile |
Costa
Rica |
| Denmark |
Ecuador |
El
Salvador |
Finland |
| France |
Germany |
Greece |
Guatemala |
| Iceland |
Irish
Republic |
Israel |
Italy |
| Japan |
Kuwait |
Liechtenstein |
Luxembourg |
| Mexico |
Monaco |
Netherlands |
Norway |
| Oman |
Panama |
Peru |
Portugal |
| San
Merino |
Saudi
Arabia |
Spain |
Sweden |
| Switzerland |
Venezuela |
|
|
All
other countries not noted above should contact the nearest British Consulate
or High Commission Office to inquire about entry requirements or receive
applications for Visas. Entry is granted for up to six months. Resident
aliens of the US who show a valid US Alien Registration Card (green card)
may be permitted to enter and remain in the Cayman Islands for up to 30
days.
For Specific Questions regarding entry into the Cayman Islands contact
the Cayman Islands Department of Immigration: (345) 949-8052
Upon arrival please keep the pink Immigration slip given to you! This is our equivalent of a tourist identification card. Visitors should
keep it with their travel documents and present it when departing. Anyone
who wishes to extend their stay after arrival must visit the Department
of Immigration and obtain an extension and may be asked to show proof
of financial resources to permit an extension.
Departure Tax: There is a CI $20.00 or US$25.00 departure tax
for the Cayman Islands that is included in the price of your airline
ticket.
Working in the Cayman Islands: If you're planning a business trip,
please know in advance that salespeople planning to solicit business and
take orders in our islands require a temporary work permit. Applications
for this may be obtained in advance from the Department of Immigration.
Contact their office weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at (345) 949-8344.
You also must declare all samples of goods you bring into the country
and these must leave with you. Please know that under our Immigration
Laws visitors are not allowed to accept jobs in the Cayman Islands
without a government-issued work permit.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS TRANSPORTATION
Taxies
- Taxis are available at Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman
and offer a fixed rate per vehicle or per person to all points on Grand
Cayman. This information is available from the taxi dispatcher at the
curb. Hotel vans cannot provide courtesy arrival pickup at the airport.
Taxis
are 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.
There
are several private limousine services on Grand Cayman, for special events
and airport transfers.
First
Ever Public Transport System for Grand Cayman - In October 1998, Grand
Cayman launched its first ever-official public bus transportation system.
The new 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 38 mini-buses operated by 24 licensed operators,
serving eight routes. Daily service starts at 6 a.m. from the depot and
the schedule is as follows from George Town to:
West
Bay - every 15 minutes, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 6 a.m. -
midnight, Fri. & Sat. Fare is CI$1.50 each way.
Bodden
Town - Every 30 minutes, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday- Thurs.; 6 a.m. - midnight,
Fri. & Sat. Fare is CI$1.50 each way.
East
End and North Side - Every hour, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday - Thurs. and
Saturday. On Friday, buses will operate until after Midnight. Fare: CI$2
each way.
The
new system uses colour - coded logos located on the front and rear of
buses to identify routes as follows: Route 1 (yellow) and Route 2 (lime
green) cover George Town to West Bay; Route 3 (blue) provides service
between the depot in George Town and Bodden Town. Route 4 (purple) operates
between the depot and East End. Route 5 (red) goes from the depot to East
End and North Side. Route 6 (dark green) operates from North Side to West
Bay. Route 7 (dark green with white numbers) is an inter-district service
for George Town. Route 8 (orange) runs from the depot to Hutland in North
Side. Licensed buses are identified by blue licence plates. To maintain
consistency in fares, each bus must display a fare table outlining standard
government-authorized fares.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: The Cayman Islands have no direct taxation and have become important as
an offshore financial centre and a tax haven. The finance industry has
grown rapidly since the late 1980s when many companies relocated to the
islands from Panama, which was racked by political instability. Good communications
and infrastructure helped to sustain its growth, to the point where the
islands are now the world’s fifth largest banking centre. A key
agreement on information exchange signed with the US government in 1990
– extended in 2001 – has spared the Cayman Islands many of
the problems (money laundering and large-scale tax avoidance) that have
bedevilled other aspirant offshore financial centres. Nor has it been
subject to the critical scrutiny of the OECD which has been leading the
global assault on cross-border financial malpractice. Tourism is the islands’
other main source of revenue. There is little agriculture, and most of
the foodstuffs for the islands are imported. Industry is confined to construction
and food-processing. The standard of living on the islands is generally
high, and the per capita income is the highest in the region. The healthy
state of the economy has attracted migrant workers from Jamaica, Europe
and North America who now make up 30 per cent of the working population.
The USA is substantially the islands’ largest trading partner, followed
by the UK, Japan and The Netherlands Antilles. The Cayman Islands have
observer status at the Caribbean Common Market, CARICOM, and associate
membership of the European Union.
Business: Business suits are recommended when calling on senior officials and local
heads of business and also for semi-formal or formal functions. Exchange
of calling cards is usual and letters of introduction are sometimes used.
It is generally easy to gain access to offices of senior government officials,
politicians and business executives. Civil servants are precluded from
accepting gifts except for diaries or calendars at Christmas. Monetary
gifts or expensive presents are not encouraged in the private sector.
Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS SOCIAL PROFILE
Dining
& Cuisine: More than 100 restaurants, fast-food outlets and
small snack bars offer visitors a selection ranging from elegant fine
dining to budget fast food and take out. Traditional Caymanian cuisine
has been enlivened by a strong Jamaican influence of jerk, curry and other
vibrant seasonings, and features conch, lobster and local seafood in a
variety of dishes, complimented by coconut, plantain, breadfruit, yams,
cassava, rice and peas and other West Indian side dishes.
In
addition to Caribbean and Central American cuisine, Grand Cayman offers
European, Italian, Mexican, German, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and
"American Tex-Mex", as well as hamburgers, chicken, pizza, subs
and salads.
Cayman
Brac has five small local restaurants in addition to two hotel restaurants
serving buffet style meals, and the Captain's Table full service restaurant
at the Brac Caribbean Beach Village.
On
Little Cayman the Hungry Iguana restaurant offers an a la carte menu,
and with advance reservations, dining is available for non-guests at Southern
Cross Club, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Pirates Point and Sam McCoy's
Lodge.
Nightlife: Grand Cayman has a lively nightlife with comedy
clubs, bars and nightclubs. Music is varied and clubs offer everything
from live DJs to salsa, reggae, calypso and disco. Concerts are held at
the Lions Centre in Red Bay and theatre productions are shown at either
the Harquail Theatre on West Bay Road or the Prospect Playhouse in Red
Bay. Dinner cruises onboard a replica pirate ship and 19th-century tall
ship can be booked through local watersports operators. For further information
about entertainment on the Islands, visitors should consult the free local
What’s Hot magazine or the What’s Happenin column in the Friday
issue of the Caymanian Compass newspaper.
Special
Events: The following is a selection of special events occurring
in the Cayman Islands in 2005; for information and a complete list, contact
the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section):
Jan International Underwater Film Festival, Grand Cayman. Feb Little Cayman
Annual Mardi Gras Festival. Mar 5-6 Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay
events. Mar Rundown, a satirical look at island life. Apr 10 Cayman Brac
Turtle Triathalon. Apr 23 Earth Day Reef Watch and Beach Clean Ups. Apr
Cayfest; Annual Eco-Art Party. May 5-8 22nd Annual Batabano Carnival.
Jun 10-11 5th Annual Deloitte Cayman International Sevens. Jun Jazz Festival.
Jul 6th Annual Hyatt/Kendall Jackson Golf Classic. Aug 3rd Annual Cayman
Islands Sand Sculpting Competition. Nov 29th Annual Pirates Week Festival.
Nov GIMISTORY (storytelling festival). Dec 4 Cayman Islands Marathon.
Dec 31 New Year’s Under the Star, Pageant Beach.
Social
Conventions: The mode of life on the Cayman Islands is a blend
of local traditions and of US and British patterns of behaviour. Handshaking
is the usual greeting. Because of the large number of people with a similar
surname (such as Ebanks and Bodden), a person may be introduced by his
Christian name (such as Mr Tom or Mr Jim). Flowers are acceptable as a
gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. Dinner jackets are seldom
worn. Short or long dresses are appropriate for women in the evenings.
It is normal to prescribe the required mode of dress on invitation cards.
Casual wear is acceptable in most places, but beachwear is best confined
to the beach to avoid offence. Topless bathing is prohibited. Tipping:
For most services, 5 to 10 per cent is normal. Hotels and apartments state
the specific amount. Restaurant bills usually include 10 to 15 per cent
in lieu of tipping.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS HEALTH & SAFETY
The Cayman Islands are some of the safest destinations in the Caribbean;
with a very strong tourism-driven economy, there is a not much of a gap
between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Theft
is not widespread, but observing caution never hurts; make sure to lock
vehicles and hotel rooms, and take care of your valuables.
CAYMAN
ISLANDS DRINKING WATER
The
piped water in the Cayman Islands is completely safe to cook with or drink.
All hotels and condos and most restaurants and private homes are connected
to the city water supply. The water is originally pumped from the sea
and then purified by reverse osmosis.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS LIQUOR LAW - DRINKING AGE
The
legal age for drinking alcoholic beverages on the Cayman Islands is 18
years. A licensee may lose his license or be fined for serving alcoholic
beverages to any underage person.
TOP
CAYMAN
ISLANDS CURRENCY
The
Cayman Islands has its own currency and the basic unit is the dollar.
It is issued in notes of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 and coins valued
at 25 cents, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The CI dollar has a fixed exchange rate
with the US dollar of CI$1.00 equals US$1.25 or US$1.00 dollar equals
CI $0.80. The US dollar is accepted throughout the islands and as an example,
a US$20 note converts to CI$16. Banks do NOT give a better rate of exchange
and the rate does not fluctuate! MasterCard, VISA and American Express
cards as well as travellers checks are widely accepted. Canadian dollars
and pounds sterling can be exchanged for CI dollars at local banks. Automatic
Teller Machines accepting VISA and MasterCard with Cirrus affiliation
are located at most banks and at the airport. Regular banking hours are
9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4:30 p.m. on
Friday.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS SHOPPING
As a shopping centre, George Town, with its fascinating boutiques and
duty free shops, is now one of the leading centres in the Caribbean region.
Delicious local foods can be bought or sampled at the Farmers Market Cooperative
on Thomas Russell way or Frankie’s Fresh Fruits and Juices on Red
Bay Road. Half a dozen modern and sophisticated shopping centres have
recently been established offering a choice of North American and European
fashion brands, furnishings and household goods. Local products include
the Tortuga Rum company speciality rum and rum cake, shell jewellery,
Caymanite (the island’s semi-precious stone), tropical fruit and
woodcarvings. Special purchases include china, crystal, silver, French
perfume and local crafts of black coral, sculptures, tortoise and turtle
shell jewellery (turtles are bred at Cayman Turtle Farm, which also undertakes
conservation measures). Travellers should note that turtle products cannot
be imported, even by persons in transit, into any country which has signed
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – this
includes the USA, Canada and the UK. Many luxury goods and essential foodstuffs
are duty-free but duty of up to 20 per cent is charged on other items.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700.
TOP
CAYMAN
ISLANDS GRATUITIES AND SERVICES CHARGES
Many
restaurants will automatically add a charge of 15% to your total food
and drink bill. In this case tipping is not required and you should check
your bill before leaving extra. This 15% is not a legally enforceable
charge and may be declined by you if you feel that the level of service
received was unacceptable. Your food and beverage server receives only
a portion of the gratuity, and you may tip them extra at your discretion.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS TAXES
A
mandatory Government room tax of 10% is standard and is added to your
room charge. A departure tax of CI$20.00 or US$25.00 per person is normally
included in the cost of your airline ticket. Otherwise, the Cayman Islands
do not have: capital gains tax, Corporation Tax, withholding tax, property
tax, payroll tax, or income tax payable by employees.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS PEOPLE
The
capital of the Cayman Islands is home to bankers, retirees, and tourists.
The general attitude of the Cayman Islands is relaxed and friendly; don't
come here for a fast-paced, thrill-seeking vacation. Cayman life focuses
on the seas, with boating and diving being two of the most popular activities.
Remnants of British colonial days are evident in the meticulous manners
of most islanders.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS CLOTHING &
ATTIRE
Most
restaurants require shoes and shirts, and shorts instead of long pants
are generally acceptable. Some of the upscale restaurants may require
slacks for evening dinner. Please do not wear bathing suits or "skimpy"
beach wear beyond the beach or cruise ship. Note that there are no nude
beaches in the Cayman Islands and that public nudity and topless bathing
are prohibited by law.
TOP
CAYMAN ISLANDS ACTIVITIES & SERVICES
You'll
never be short of things to do in The Cayman Islands. World-class scuba
diving, snorkeling, and sailing are just the beginning of your Islands'
adventure. The Islands' history is rich in exotic detail, as our Museum,
Botanical Garden and National Trust clearly demonstrate. So whether it's
a trip under the sea to feed the stingrays, an excursion to the Turtle
Farm for a hands-on experience of one of nature's most inspiring miracles,
or a journey into the past to revisit the first landing by Christopher
Columbus, a feast for the senses-and sensibilities-awaits.
- Pedro
St. James Historic Site *
Historically accurate reconstruction of original 1780 Great House
is a spectacular showpiece for the Birthplace of Democracy.
- Grand
Cayman's Q. E. II Botanic Park *
The Visitors Centre, Heritage Garden and Floral Garden are spectacular
additions.
- Cayman
Islands National Museum *
Make the Cayman Islands National Museum the first stop on your tour
of Grand Cayman and begin to see the real Cayman.
- The
National Trust for the Cayman Islands
Cayman's Heritage.... Our Pride, Be a Part of it!
- Turtle
Farm *
See 16,000 sea turtles, some as small as 6 ounces, some as big as
600 pounds!
- Stingray
City
Swim alongside and feed swarming stingrays in 12 feet of water. A
snorkeling and scuba diving adventure.
The
Heritage Passport entitles you to a 25% discount on four of Grand Cayman’s
main attractions and includes one free child’s pass per every paying
adult.
TOP
CAYMAN
ISLANDS TIME ZONE
The Cayman Islands are in the Eastern Standard Time zone year-round
and do not observe Daylight Savings Time. We are 5 hours behind Greenwich
Meantime.
TOP
