Tourist Tips for Visitors to Grand Cayman Island
Background:
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962, when Jamaica gained independence.
Topography:
Grand Cayman is 20 miles long and varies from 4 to 7 miles wide. No part of the island is 60 feet above sea level. Little Cayman is 9 miles long and 1 mile wide and Cayman Brac is 10 miles long and 1 mile long. Grand Cayman's "Sister Islands" lie 89 miles in a north easterly direction from East End, Grand Cayman. The two lesser Islands are separated by a channel about 7 miles wide. The total land are of the country is a touch over 100 square miles.
Population:
About 44,000 (the 3 islands combined)
Capital:
George Town, on the west side of Grand Cayman. It's the centre of government business, banking, shopping, and supermarkets.
Motto:
"He Hath Founded It Upon the Seas"
Accommodations:
About 4000 (hotel and condo) rooms. High season, December through April. 10% government room tax is added to all hotel bills.
Language:
English is spoken on all three islands. Dialect and intonations used by Caymanians have puzzled some linguists but you'll have no difficulty communicating with them. Their speech is a mixture of American southern drawl and the English slur with a Scottish lilt to end a statement, all combined to fall charmingly on the ears. You'll enjoy the twist, a fascinating singsong of Cornish, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh.
Exchange Rates:
Most merchants on the islands will except wither Cayman or US dollars. The Cayman dollar is worth a little more than the greenback, so as a handy reference: $0.8 CI =$1 US, $1.25=$1 CI.
Identification:
Proof of citizenship is required to enter Cayman together with a return ticket. A passport is required for U.S. citizens. Passports are also required of British, Commonwealth (except Canadian) and all other foreign nationalities.
Wish You Were Here:
If you want to make an overseas credit call (Visa or MasterCard) just dial 110 from any phone location in the Cayman Islands.
Driving:
When driving in the Cayman Islands, remember to DRIVE ON THE LEFT. If you plan on hitting the roads, a temporary driving permit can be issued by your rent-a-car company for the duration of your stay.
Baby-Sitting Service:
Day or night. Experienced mothers and grandmothers will come to your hotel or condo. Approximately US$10 per hour. Pleas give advance notice. Phone 916-8213 or 947-4052. Ask for Thora.
Public Restrooms:
There are two public restrooms located in George Town: cruise ship landing area and the craft market opposite Kirk Freeport.
Daylight Savings:
The Cayman Islands do not adjust their clocks when the U.S. transitions to daylight savings time. During the summer months, Cayman is on U.S. Central time, and in winter, U.S. Eastern time.
Church Services:
Visitors to Grand Cayman, who would like to attend church while on holiday, may call The Lord's Church of West Bay. This interdemonitional church offers FREE island wide pick-up fro visitors. Simply call them 24 hours in advance and they will arrange for your transportation on Sunday morning. "Join us for a true Island Worship Experience" Services began at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Ron Zimmer-Phone: 949-1802.
Odd Spelling:
The language of Cayman is English English rather than American English. There are many different spellings and pronunciations. Colour for color, centre for center, and humour for humor, are just a few examples. See how many variations you can spot.
Tourist Information:
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism's offices are located in Regatta Park, Leeward Two, across from the Westin. They carry a wide assortment of brochures and pamphlets which you may find helpful. Phone: 949-0623. Fax: 949-4053
Weather:
The Cayman Islands enjoy a delightful tropical climate all year round with average temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and the 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Water temperatures range from 80-82 degrees in the summer and 78-80 degrees in the winter.
The rainy season runs from May through October. The hurricane season starts in June and ends on November 30th. Before catastrophic Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004, these islands had been very fortunate to miss the full effects of most storms. The previous most devastating was an unnamed hurricane in 1932. Other notable hurricanes to effect the Cayman Islands were "Gilbert" in 1988, "Mitch" in 1998, and "Michelle" in 2001.
Sun:
The Cayman Islands are much closer to the equator than often realized. The concentration of ultra violet and other rays from the sun is great and one can get very bad sunburn in a short time without realizing it. Taking the sun in small doses is advisable.
Look, But Don't Touch:
That's the prevailing policy in Cayman's waters. The Cayman Islands has strict marine conservation laws which are enforced by marine parks and marine police officers, assisted by members of the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators Association (CIWOA) in all three islands. These laws strictly prohibit the harming or collecting of any marine life including hard corals in designated marine park zones. The capture of any marine life, including the legally allowed limit of conch, lobster, or fish in season is prohibited throughout Cayman while using scuba gear. Spear fishing by visitors is strictly prohibited and the importation or possession of spear guns or parts is illegal. A detailed brochure showing the various marine park zones and regulations has been produced by the Department of the Environment and is widely distributed at hotels and water sports operations.
Local Radio:
Cayman has a wide variety of radio stations, broadcasting the gamut of musical tastes, from Caribbean Reggae and Soca, though Country & Western and Classic Rock to Hip Hop.
|
Radio Cayman 1 | 89.9 FM
|
|
Radio Cayman 2 | 91.9 FM
|
|
Spin | 94.9 FM
|
|
Ocean 95 | 95.5 FM
|
|
Style | 96.5 FM
|
|
Heaven 97 | 97 FM
|
|
Vibe | 98.9 FM
|
|
Z99 | 99.9 FM
|
|
Rooster 101 | 101.9 FM
|
|
Hot | 104.1 FM
|
|
Kiss | 106.1 FM
|
|
X | 107.1 FM
|
|
