First, if you are a citizen of the U.S., Canada, the UK and most of the Commonwealth nations, you will not need a visa in getting to the Cayman Islands. (Of course, you are still required to carry with you your valid passport and a return or forward ticket.)
And when you are already on the islands, there are many ways to get around - be it on air, water or land. At the Grand Cayman alone (it is the largest of the islands), you can have any one of your activities to last from day till night.
Air
The beauty of the place can surely be appreciated not only when you are on foot but on other means. In fact, there is a whole new vista of the land as seen from the air. You can see the exquisite natural landscapes while you are up there above on a helicopter.
For the more adventurous who is into action, there are Parasailing Professionals who can gently introduce you into the wonders of the sky and the sea breeze.
If you are already an expert in parasailing, you go right ahead and do your thing. You can choose a single, double or triple parasail. (For direct bookings, there are discounts available.)
Land
There are so many ways to do and see once you are out into the Cayman sun. You can choose from the many activities and the many places to visit - from a relaxation place (for those who want calm and rest) to exciting sports and games (for those in search of action).
One ideal spot is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It is located at the center of the Grand Cayman. After paying your entrance fee, you can stay the whole day inside, enjoying the flora and the fauna while taking your time contemplating your personal thoughts. All these while enjoying the scene and bathing in the warm sunlight.
Other places like the Skate Park (the largest of its kind) are for both parents and children to enjoy. They can also do their bonding at the Pampered Ponies, a horse-riding place for horse-riding experience for the kids.
The Honey Suckle Trail Rides offer a slight difference in horse-ride thrills because they have different rides to suit their customers like guided trail rides, sunset rides, midnight rides, and even picnics.
Water
Because the islands are surrounded by water, everyone should have the right to enjoy the water all around. At the Grand Cayman, kayaking is one of the newest activities offered to do your sight-seeing.
Kayaking companies offer tours by day and night. Watch the glory of nature during daytime or you may find a good place to watch the sunset.
At night, watch the ethereal glow of the water brought on by bioluminescent sea animals. Aside from being eco-friendly, kayaking also has the advantage of going to places not reached by conventional roads.
Other water activities loved by their own enthusiasts include scuba diving and snorkeling, water sports, deep sea fishing, and circling about the place by boats.
For all the fun and excitement awaiting you at every turn in these islands, a full day and night is definitely not enough. Some stay for weeks and would still say they still have not done everything there is to do at Cayman Islands.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Life In The Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
belong to those groups of places on earth that is near perfect in terms of beauty and the promise of fun-filled adventure days. However, regular life in a place way different from where you come from needs some orientation, tips, and guides. We usually get them from those who had been here before.
The people
Even being more liberal than the other Caribbean islanders, Caymanians are still relatively conservative. Public displays of affection (gay or straight) are not usually acceptable.
In the past years, gay cruise ships have been barred from calling in the Cayman Islands, although the recent policy now is to remain non-discriminatory. Gay visitors can expect the same levels of hospitality and service as others. (Expect some hesitation from older Caymanians.) The younger set is very liberal and will not care for the most part.
Social niceties
Caymanians are known to be very respectful. Greetings and pleasantries are common. People are expected to greet and be greeted even in shops. Islanders use titles of respect like Mr. or Mrs. followed with the given name.
Crime
The Cayman Islands is a relatively low-crime area compared to the others in the region. However, there are certain things you do not usually do even in the more sophisticated places in the world.
Walking or cycling at night in dark roads can put oneself at risk for assault or robbery. There were many incidents, too, of pedestrians being hit by cars along soft-shouldered roads.
Women traveling alone should be careful, especially at night. Be ready with your cell phones capable of calling the local 911, if you feel you are being followed or inappropriately watched.
Drunk driving and burglary
Drunk driving and hit-and-run accidents have been a problem in most cities, and it is no different here. DUI is a serious offense in the Cayman Islands.
Burglary is another problem. Most often, burglars hit some small hi-tech devices (phones, music and game players, etc.) and portable laptops.
George Town
It is generally safe at the capital city of George Town. Some areas are to be avoided (Rock Hole, Swamp, Jamaica Town, Courts Road, Eastern Avenue, Windsor Park) which is not much of a problem because these places are well out of the way.
Also, George Town is deserted at night as there are few centrally located restaurants, bars or nightclubs.
At the beach
No one will steal your towels, your sneakers, or your lunch. Thieves are not desperate to steal your used personal belongings or your snorkeling device.
These are just local teens who want to sell these items to other teens. An average pair of sunglasses is safe. A pair of Chanel replicas might just interest them.
Mixed notes
Locals will not eat barracuda because they might be poisonous. There are other reef fishes, however, that are very good — groupers, eels, sea bass, snappers, mackerels, etc.
There are no natural fresh water resources in the islands. Drinking water is supplied by desalination plants and rainwater catchments.
Be sure to put on sunscreen the whole day if you plan of going out around town or elsewhere in the islands. It is sunny the whole year.
Just like in other places, life can be simple in the Cayman Islands. The difference is that taking account of everything here, it can be almost paradise.
belong to those groups of places on earth that is near perfect in terms of beauty and the promise of fun-filled adventure days. However, regular life in a place way different from where you come from needs some orientation, tips, and guides. We usually get them from those who had been here before.The people
Even being more liberal than the other Caribbean islanders, Caymanians are still relatively conservative. Public displays of affection (gay or straight) are not usually acceptable.
In the past years, gay cruise ships have been barred from calling in the Cayman Islands, although the recent policy now is to remain non-discriminatory. Gay visitors can expect the same levels of hospitality and service as others. (Expect some hesitation from older Caymanians.) The younger set is very liberal and will not care for the most part.
Social niceties
Caymanians are known to be very respectful. Greetings and pleasantries are common. People are expected to greet and be greeted even in shops. Islanders use titles of respect like Mr. or Mrs. followed with the given name.
Crime
The Cayman Islands is a relatively low-crime area compared to the others in the region. However, there are certain things you do not usually do even in the more sophisticated places in the world.
Walking or cycling at night in dark roads can put oneself at risk for assault or robbery. There were many incidents, too, of pedestrians being hit by cars along soft-shouldered roads.
Women traveling alone should be careful, especially at night. Be ready with your cell phones capable of calling the local 911, if you feel you are being followed or inappropriately watched.
Drunk driving and burglary
Drunk driving and hit-and-run accidents have been a problem in most cities, and it is no different here. DUI is a serious offense in the Cayman Islands.
Burglary is another problem. Most often, burglars hit some small hi-tech devices (phones, music and game players, etc.) and portable laptops.
George Town
It is generally safe at the capital city of George Town. Some areas are to be avoided (Rock Hole, Swamp, Jamaica Town, Courts Road, Eastern Avenue, Windsor Park) which is not much of a problem because these places are well out of the way.
Also, George Town is deserted at night as there are few centrally located restaurants, bars or nightclubs.
At the beach
No one will steal your towels, your sneakers, or your lunch. Thieves are not desperate to steal your used personal belongings or your snorkeling device.
These are just local teens who want to sell these items to other teens. An average pair of sunglasses is safe. A pair of Chanel replicas might just interest them.
Mixed notes
Locals will not eat barracuda because they might be poisonous. There are other reef fishes, however, that are very good — groupers, eels, sea bass, snappers, mackerels, etc.
There are no natural fresh water resources in the islands. Drinking water is supplied by desalination plants and rainwater catchments.
Be sure to put on sunscreen the whole day if you plan of going out around town or elsewhere in the islands. It is sunny the whole year.
Just like in other places, life can be simple in the Cayman Islands. The difference is that taking account of everything here, it can be almost paradise.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Making the Most Out of Your Vacation at the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands are comprised of the Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman and the Little Cayman. This is part of the British territory and is known for its beaches, great diving spots and an offshore financial haven. You have heard so much about the place and now you want to bring your whole family on a trip. If you have children of various ages, it will be better to time your trip in November when the annual Pirates Week Festival is being held in the place. This way, you will all be able to enjoy not only the sights and the beaches, but the fun activities and festivities that will happen during the celebration.
How to Reach the Place
There are connecting flights available from London to the Grand Cayman. If you have little tots with you, it will be best to take the direct flights. These can be found at different cities in North America such as Miami, Detroit, Newark, Toronto, Atlanta and Charlotte. These flights can take you to the Grand Cayman's Owen Roberts International Airport or Cayman Brac's Gerrard Smith Airport. There is also an airport at the Little Cayman that caters primarily to inter-island flights. From the airport, various resorts can already be reached after some minutes.
The Beaches and Resorts
The place is home to the Seven Mile Beach that is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is only one among the many others that can also match such in terms of appeal, beauty, location and the activities that you can indulge on during your stay. The northern part is where you can find quietness away from the flock of crowds that can be found at the rest of the area. This is because there are fewer resorts at this section. You can also try seeing various sights by renting a car to help you in exploring the place. Sunbathing is not highly a recommended activity if you are at Cayman Brac beaches. For snorkeling and wading, your best bets would be the beaches at Little Cayman because the waters here are calm.
The best accommodations that you can find to suit your whole family are in the Grand Cayman. The resorts here are packed with numerous amenities to make your teenagers feel at home and in constant communication with their friends even while on vacation. If you would like to be more adventurous and try deep water sports on spots where there are not much people, you can try going to Cayman Brac as well as the Little Cayman.
What to Do
There are various resorts in the place where you can find programs and lessons on snorkeling and diving for kids from age five and up. This is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce your kids to the sports and adventures that you also enjoy. This way, they would understand your passion and may also share the same enthusiasm in the long run. Another top attraction for the whole family is the Stingray City, where you can hold, feed or swim together with the rays and take lots of pictures. There are more fun things that you can do at the Cayman Islands, so make sure that you plan your trip to make the most out of it.
are comprised of the Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman and the Little Cayman. This is part of the British territory and is known for its beaches, great diving spots and an offshore financial haven. You have heard so much about the place and now you want to bring your whole family on a trip. If you have children of various ages, it will be better to time your trip in November when the annual Pirates Week Festival is being held in the place. This way, you will all be able to enjoy not only the sights and the beaches, but the fun activities and festivities that will happen during the celebration.How to Reach the Place
There are connecting flights available from London to the Grand Cayman. If you have little tots with you, it will be best to take the direct flights. These can be found at different cities in North America such as Miami, Detroit, Newark, Toronto, Atlanta and Charlotte. These flights can take you to the Grand Cayman's Owen Roberts International Airport or Cayman Brac's Gerrard Smith Airport. There is also an airport at the Little Cayman that caters primarily to inter-island flights. From the airport, various resorts can already be reached after some minutes.
The Beaches and Resorts
The place is home to the Seven Mile Beach that is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is only one among the many others that can also match such in terms of appeal, beauty, location and the activities that you can indulge on during your stay. The northern part is where you can find quietness away from the flock of crowds that can be found at the rest of the area. This is because there are fewer resorts at this section. You can also try seeing various sights by renting a car to help you in exploring the place. Sunbathing is not highly a recommended activity if you are at Cayman Brac beaches. For snorkeling and wading, your best bets would be the beaches at Little Cayman because the waters here are calm.
The best accommodations that you can find to suit your whole family are in the Grand Cayman. The resorts here are packed with numerous amenities to make your teenagers feel at home and in constant communication with their friends even while on vacation. If you would like to be more adventurous and try deep water sports on spots where there are not much people, you can try going to Cayman Brac as well as the Little Cayman.
What to Do
There are various resorts in the place where you can find programs and lessons on snorkeling and diving for kids from age five and up. This is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce your kids to the sports and adventures that you also enjoy. This way, they would understand your passion and may also share the same enthusiasm in the long run. Another top attraction for the whole family is the Stingray City, where you can hold, feed or swim together with the rays and take lots of pictures. There are more fun things that you can do at the Cayman Islands, so make sure that you plan your trip to make the most out of it.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Cayman Islands' Best Places To Visit
If you plan to have a vacation in Cayman Islands, it is worth noting the places in the islands where most people visit and enjoy. The islands offer unique tourist attractions which include Sting Ray City, the Cayman Turtle Farm, and Pedro St. James Historic Site. Below are some of the islands' best spots.
The Sting Ray City offers visitors an opportunity to have a close encounter with large stingrays. You might love the idea of stepping out from a boat into three feet of water on a sandbar and have legs rubbed with the wings of stingrays. It is said that the stingrays in the area became used to human touch years ago. This happened because fishermen would stop their boats on the side to clean the fish they caught and throw its remains over the side.
The Rum Point is a picturesque place on the side of Grand Cayman where you can hang out for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and dining. The place is ideal for these activities because of its casual island atmosphere.
The Grand Cayman's Q. E. II Botanic Park is a two-acre Heritage Garden. It showcases a restored early 20th century, three-room, zinc-roofed Caymanian wooden cottage. You can also relax on its 2.5 acres floral garden that displays hundreds of tropical and sub tropical plants.
The Cayman Islands National Museum offers you more than 2,000 items of historical artifacts. These include old coins, rare documents, and natural history specimens. The private collection of historic memorabilia of the late Ira Thompson is said to be the museum's foundation.
The Boatswain's Beach (Cayman Turtle Farm) can educate you about sea turtles. It provides expanded facilities for visitor education. The farm holds a research and educational facility dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles. The farm also has some birds, caiman, and other creatures.
The Cayman Craft Market is located in central George Town. The market provides you with locally made wood and leathering products, thatch and straw work, and local visual arts. Going to this place makes you immerse in a unique Caymanian atmosphere where you can buy a real part of Cayman and at the same time learn about the place's culture and history.
The islands of Cayman also offer you an opportunity to visit caves. Caving opportunities include Bat Cave where you can see a colony of bats; Great Cave which gives you a taste of living in a pirate cave; Peter's Cave which is known as a hurricane refuge; Pirate's Caves which are natural limestone caves located below the southern part of Bodden Town; Rebecca's Cave which is named after a girl who took refuge on the cave when a hurricane was plaguing the area and died and buried in the cave; and Skull Cave which got its name because its entrance looks like a skull.
In addition, you also have the option of hiking in the islands. You can go across Cayman Brac where trails include easy hikes, a group of caves on the southern shoreline, and two miles of trails through a reserve for the rare Cayman parrot. You can also take Grand Cayman's Mastic Trail where you can see orchids, parrots, doves, woodpeckers, snakes, and lizards.
With all of these tourist spots, you can never be bored in your stay in Cayman Islands. All of these are the best ones to entertain you from day 1 up to your last.
, it is worth noting the places in the islands where most people visit and enjoy. The islands offer unique tourist attractions which include Sting Ray City, the Cayman Turtle Farm, and Pedro St. James Historic Site. Below are some of the islands' best spots.The Sting Ray City offers visitors an opportunity to have a close encounter with large stingrays. You might love the idea of stepping out from a boat into three feet of water on a sandbar and have legs rubbed with the wings of stingrays. It is said that the stingrays in the area became used to human touch years ago. This happened because fishermen would stop their boats on the side to clean the fish they caught and throw its remains over the side.
The Rum Point is a picturesque place on the side of Grand Cayman where you can hang out for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and dining. The place is ideal for these activities because of its casual island atmosphere.
The Grand Cayman's Q. E. II Botanic Park is a two-acre Heritage Garden. It showcases a restored early 20th century, three-room, zinc-roofed Caymanian wooden cottage. You can also relax on its 2.5 acres floral garden that displays hundreds of tropical and sub tropical plants.
The Cayman Islands National Museum offers you more than 2,000 items of historical artifacts. These include old coins, rare documents, and natural history specimens. The private collection of historic memorabilia of the late Ira Thompson is said to be the museum's foundation.
The Boatswain's Beach (Cayman Turtle Farm) can educate you about sea turtles. It provides expanded facilities for visitor education. The farm holds a research and educational facility dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles. The farm also has some birds, caiman, and other creatures.
The Cayman Craft Market is located in central George Town. The market provides you with locally made wood and leathering products, thatch and straw work, and local visual arts. Going to this place makes you immerse in a unique Caymanian atmosphere where you can buy a real part of Cayman and at the same time learn about the place's culture and history.
The islands of Cayman also offer you an opportunity to visit caves. Caving opportunities include Bat Cave where you can see a colony of bats; Great Cave which gives you a taste of living in a pirate cave; Peter's Cave which is known as a hurricane refuge; Pirate's Caves which are natural limestone caves located below the southern part of Bodden Town; Rebecca's Cave which is named after a girl who took refuge on the cave when a hurricane was plaguing the area and died and buried in the cave; and Skull Cave which got its name because its entrance looks like a skull.
In addition, you also have the option of hiking in the islands. You can go across Cayman Brac where trails include easy hikes, a group of caves on the southern shoreline, and two miles of trails through a reserve for the rare Cayman parrot. You can also take Grand Cayman's Mastic Trail where you can see orchids, parrots, doves, woodpeckers, snakes, and lizards.
With all of these tourist spots, you can never be bored in your stay in Cayman Islands. All of these are the best ones to entertain you from day 1 up to your last.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Life In Cayman Islands
Before you plan to go to Cayman Islands to have your vacation, it is important for you to know the kind of life you may experience there.
In the islands, you will not have any problem regarding electricity and water. The electricity in the place is said to be the same as that of the United Stated and Canada (110 volts, 60 cycles). Desalinated water in the islands is produced through reverse osmosis process. This water is distributed to West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah, Bodden Town, and some parts of North Side. The water that the islands produce is said to be safe for you to drink.
Regarding money matters, the Islands' currency is Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). This is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD to 1.227 USD. You can also make use of your traveler's check and credit cards as they are widely accepted at most stores. Your MasterCard and Visa with Cirrus affiliation are also accepted particularly on Grand Cayman. Upon withdrawing money, you will have an option of getting either U.S. or Cayman dollars. The available notes for Cayman dollar are $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100. If you decide to withdraw U.S. dollars and plan to buy something, you no longer need to exchange your money into the local currency as many merchants have their goods tagged with both KYD and US$.
With regards to entering the islands, all U.S. citizens are required to possess a valid passport to enter the Islands. If you are a U.S., U.K., or a Canadian citizen, you can enter the Cayman Islands without a visa.
In connection with the healthcare, the Cayman Islands have a modern healthcare system. If you need to go to a hospital, there are two available hospitals in George Town. You can either go to the government run Cayman Islands Hospital or to the smaller, private Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. In addition to these two hospitals, there is also a small healthcare facility on Cayman Brac and a satellite clinic on Little Cayman.
When it comes to security, the Islands have their own police force. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service makes sure that the Islands peace and security are maintained. They also conduct regular off-shore marine patrols in the vicinity of the Islands.
Most importantly, the reason why you will visit the Islands is because of the tourist spots. You can enjoy staying in one of Grand Cayman's main attraction, the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. You can find a number of the island's hotels, resort, and condominiums in this place. It is said to be considered as one of the best beaches in the world. You can also visit some of the Islands' historical sites to give you an idea of the kind of life the place had 100-150 years ago. In addition, if you are into scuba diving, the place is perfect for you because of the Islands' crystal-clear water and accessible wall dives.
Your vacation will turn out to be a perfect one if you plan it carefully. And what other way for you to set out your plan perfectly but to know all the information about the kind of life you may experience in Cayman Islands.
to have your vacation, it is important for you to know the kind of life you may experience there.In the islands, you will not have any problem regarding electricity and water. The electricity in the place is said to be the same as that of the United Stated and Canada (110 volts, 60 cycles). Desalinated water in the islands is produced through reverse osmosis process. This water is distributed to West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah, Bodden Town, and some parts of North Side. The water that the islands produce is said to be safe for you to drink.
Regarding money matters, the Islands' currency is Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). This is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD to 1.227 USD. You can also make use of your traveler's check and credit cards as they are widely accepted at most stores. Your MasterCard and Visa with Cirrus affiliation are also accepted particularly on Grand Cayman. Upon withdrawing money, you will have an option of getting either U.S. or Cayman dollars. The available notes for Cayman dollar are $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100. If you decide to withdraw U.S. dollars and plan to buy something, you no longer need to exchange your money into the local currency as many merchants have their goods tagged with both KYD and US$.
With regards to entering the islands, all U.S. citizens are required to possess a valid passport to enter the Islands. If you are a U.S., U.K., or a Canadian citizen, you can enter the Cayman Islands without a visa.
In connection with the healthcare, the Cayman Islands have a modern healthcare system. If you need to go to a hospital, there are two available hospitals in George Town. You can either go to the government run Cayman Islands Hospital or to the smaller, private Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. In addition to these two hospitals, there is also a small healthcare facility on Cayman Brac and a satellite clinic on Little Cayman.
When it comes to security, the Islands have their own police force. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service makes sure that the Islands peace and security are maintained. They also conduct regular off-shore marine patrols in the vicinity of the Islands.
Most importantly, the reason why you will visit the Islands is because of the tourist spots. You can enjoy staying in one of Grand Cayman's main attraction, the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. You can find a number of the island's hotels, resort, and condominiums in this place. It is said to be considered as one of the best beaches in the world. You can also visit some of the Islands' historical sites to give you an idea of the kind of life the place had 100-150 years ago. In addition, if you are into scuba diving, the place is perfect for you because of the Islands' crystal-clear water and accessible wall dives.
Your vacation will turn out to be a perfect one if you plan it carefully. And what other way for you to set out your plan perfectly but to know all the information about the kind of life you may experience in Cayman Islands.
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