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.

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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:

* 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:

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.

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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.

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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.

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 Stars, 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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

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