Cayman Company.Com explores the travel guide to the Cayman Islands by looking at different aspects of Cayman. We encourage you to browse through the Cayman options. Whether you are a Caymanian, an expatriate or a tourist you will find these tips and hints very useful once you are on the island. It gives travel guides about where to go for Cayman restaurants, Cayman hotel reviews, things to do on the island, Cayman car rentals, Cayman Islands nightlife, transportation in the Cayman Islands and warnings and dangers and place in the Islands to stay away from. This is an invaluable guide written by Caymaninans for travelers and locals alike, this guide uses pictures and other materials to highlight this option along with maps etc. Shopping in the Cayman Islands to purchase souvenirs and in bond shopping is also of great benefit and we explore the tips and hints in this Cayman Travel Guide.

Cayman Islands Airports

Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM): This is the major airport in the Cayman Islands 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 on the hotel you are staying at there are courtesy buses available. There are also several major Cayman car rental companies on the premises. The Cayman airport has facilities including outgoing duty-free shops, Cayman restaurants and drinking bars. There are also Automated Teller Machines and currency exchange facilities in the main terminal building. A tourist information help desk is also in the Cayman airport and there are excellent facilities for disabled passengers with special needs. Despite the fact that disabled passengers are advised to contact their airline in advance for further information. Parking at the Cayman airport can be for a short or long-term. The Cayman government charges a departure tax of US$25.00. Gerard Smith Airport (CYB): This Cayman Brac airport is situated just five miles from the West End on Cayman Brac, the second largest Cayman Islands. Operating on the same time frame as the Owen Roberts International Airport, movement to and from the airport can be done using taxis or Cayman Brac car rental through Avis and Hertz car rental companies that have cars available for hire at the airport.

Cayman Islands Climate and Weather

The weather is good all year round in the Cayman Islands and the trade winds prevent the climate from getting too hot. The Cayman Islands 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 is also the Cayman 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 travel. The chart below speaks to the average rainfall and climate in the Cayman Islands over a period of a year.

Cayman Islands Currency

The Cayman Islands Dollar or the KY Dollar is the official Cayman currency, which is divisible by 100 cents. The Cayman 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. Cayman Island banks are normally open Monday through to Saturday. Even though the strength of the Cayman 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 Cayman merchants and hotels.

Cayman Islands Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals do not require a passport for travel to the Cayman Islands 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 stay longer than six months. Passport or other documents must be valid beyond the period of intended stay. 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 travel to the Cayman Islands 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 stay longer than six months. Passports or other documents must be valid beyond the intended period of stay. 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 travel to the Cayman Islands 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 stay longer than six months. Passport or other documents must be valid beyond the intended period of stay. 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 stay. 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 stay in the Cayman 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 stay. 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 stay 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 stay in the Cayman Islands, as well as a return or onward ticket and documents required for further travel. 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.

Cayman Islands Shopping

The Cayman Islands enjoy a duty-free status and our capital of George Town in Grand Cayman is one of the most attractive shopping centers in the Caribbean. Here you'll find 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 restaurants. Stores in George Town are closed on Sunday. A large enclosed car park offers parking space in George Town's Piccadilly Car Park, next to Hobbies & Books on Elgin Avenue. You'll find 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 Cayman Brac. Prices on perfume, watches and select luxury items may be as much as 30% cheaper here.

Cayman Communications

Telecommunications: Telephone service providers in the Cayman Islands 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; US SPRINT 1- (888) 366 – 4663 and MCI DIRECT: 1- (800) 624 – 1000. Area codes and detailed instructions for international calling are included in the first few pages of the Cayman Islands 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 Cayman 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 Cayman Islands, in May 1966. Electricity in the Cayman Islands is equivalent to standards used in North America. IE: 60 cycles and 110 voltages. Radio: The Cayman Islands has many local radio stations: Government-owned Radio Cayman, 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 Cayman Islands and staffed by Journalism student volunteers. Television: There are four local television stations: CITN (channel 27); CTS (24); CCTV, Cayman Christian Television (21) and CATN/TV-30 Cayman 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 in the Cayman Islands. Local video clubs, including Blockbuster Video outlets, are popular in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, and visitors can arrange temporary accounts using major credit cards. Grand Cayman also boasts a new video club, "Reel Video", located in the Airport Shopping 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.

Cayman Transportation

Taxis: Upon arrival in Grand Cayman taxis are available at Owen Roberts International Airport and offer a fixed rate per vehicle or per person to all points on the Island. This information 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. Cayman 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 Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (jeeps and 4-wheel drive only). Driving is on the left throughout the Cayman Islands and it is the law to wear seat belts. Visitors must obtain temporary drivers licenses from the car rental agency, easily granted upon presenting a valid drivers license from their home state, county or parish. You must be 21 to rent a car in the Cayman 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 Cayman Brac. Riders are required by law to wear a helmet at all times and urged to be extremely careful and remember to stay on 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 Cayman Brac and Little Cayman most hotels have bicycles available for complimentary guest use.

Cayman Water Sports

Diving: Diving is the Number One Water sport in the Cayman Islands. Renowned the world over for its spectacular diving, our small colony has many excellent dive operators to reflect this popular activity. There are over 40 in Grand Cayman, 5 dive operations in Little Cayman, 3 in Cayman Brac, and live aboard dive boats are also available. Whether you are a complete beginner or a dive master, Cayman offers 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 Cayman'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 Cayman Islands 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. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman 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 site can be reached only by boat. All divers who wish to dive must show proof of certification (C-Card) under the regulations of the Cayman Islands Water sports Operators Association members (CIWOA). Safety and marine conservation are key elements of all diving in the Cayman Islands. The maximum sport diving limit of 110 feet applies to all CIWOA operations. You can be reassured that Cayman 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 Caymanian captains to Stingray City; Atlantis XI submarine, a unique underwater experience on a real submarine for non-divers and divers alike, or if you really 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 and 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 etc; Light tackle fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit (the Sister Islands are best).

Cayman Nightlife

The Cayman Islands 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. Once you arrive, consult our local publications for the latest listings. These include Friday's edition of our local daily newspapers the Caymanian Compass and Cayman Net News, and local informational magazines like Key to Cayman, What's Hot, and Destination Cayman. Most of these magazines can be picked up free of charge at hotels, supermarkets, and coffee shops around the island. You can also check the Events section on this website for upcoming events. You'll find information about local performances, what's playing at the movies, and what special events are currently happening on 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 options, 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 location 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 Cayman National Cultural Foundation, including plays by Caymanian and 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 Cayman Drama Society. On the Water: There is a wide variety of sunset and dinner cruises offered by local water sports operators. Looking 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 Cayman Brac: There are occasional weekend dances where local bands perform. Community events including talent shows and other stage and musical presentations at the Aston Rutty centre provide the island's main nightlife; if you want more privacy, take a romantic walk under the stars and enjoy some good-old-fashioned conversation.

TOP 100 CAYMAN ISLANDS ARTICLES ON THE WEB

SPONSOR ADS