The three low-lying Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and rugged Cayman Brac, are located south of Cuba and north-west of Jamaica and until you visit the Cayman Islands personally, probably you do not have a correct understanding, especially of Grand Cayman. Famous for being an important offshore banking centre, Grand Cayman is a wealthy, expensive and highly developed island, still a British Crown Colony. However, its attraction lies in this very sense of wellbeing coupled with incredible beaches (Seven Mile Beach is one of the most impressive in the Caribbean - for about six miles warm translucent turquoise water laps soft white sand) and amazing water sports, particularly diving. The island of Grand Cayman is flat but lined with white sand beaches and surrounded by warm translucent turquoise seas. Colour is provided year round by bougainvillaea, orchids and thatched palms. Buildings are low-rise and much is being built in neo-colonial style. Getting out and about on Grand Cayman is very easy; there are plenty of taxis for the evening and numerous high-quality restaurants to visit and in the daytime a hire car is recommended for at least part of your stay. Little Cayman lies about 90 miles from Grand Cayman and with its dirt-strip runway, 80 or so inhabitants and handful of hotels is really like a deserted island paradise. Come to the Cayman Islands for the superb diving or for complete seclusion, perfect for a luxury holiday.
Facts
Capital
George Town
Airport
About 20 minutes by car.
Size
Grand Cayman is about 12 miles long and about 6 miles wide at the widest point
Currency
Cayman Islands dollar (1CI$ = 1.25US$)
Population
About 27,000
Temperature
27 degrees Centigrade
Local highlights
Early morning strolls or jogs along Seven Mile Beach. Take the ferry from the Hyatt to Rum Point across North Sound. A trip to Stingray City is a must to snorkel with the stingrays, visit restored Pedro St James Great House and heritage centre, Queen Elizabeth botanical gardens, Stingray is the local beer. Farmed turtle is a local delicacy. Batanabo carnival is in March or April and Pirates Week takes place in October. Interesting National Museum in George Town. Little Cayman has `Iguana crossing` road signs. Take a day trip by plane to Cayman Brac. Visit the Cayman Wall reef by submarine. Numerous very high quality restaurants around Grand Cayman. Visit historic Bodden Town and the East End of the island for more traditional West Indian character. Duty free shopping.
Getting out and about
The roads on Grand Cayman are excellent although there are very few roads and a lot of cars on Cayman, so traffic can move quite slowly at rush hour! Car hire is easily arranged and recommended for at least part of your stay.
Travel arrangements
Flying time from London to Grand Cayman is about 12 hours including a touchdown in Nassau. British Airways has direct flights from London to Grand Cayman. Cayman Airways files from Miami and Jamaica to Grand Cayman.