Cayman Islands Vacation
The beautiful Cayman Islands are located in the Western Caribbean which is just
a one-hour flight from Miami, FL. The Cayman Islands are made up of three
islands; Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. A small, beautiful, and
very active British Crown Colony in the Western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands
are famed for their golden beaches, crystal clear waters, fabulous diving, tax
free status, year-round Caribbean sunshine and their friendly locals who will
welcome you anytime.
While the real beauty of Grand Cayman lies beneath
the crystal clear waters, there is still plenty to see on land. Some of these
attractions include:
The National Trust's Mastic Trail, a 2 mile traditional
footpath through unspoiled woodlands in North Side.
Cardinal D's Park, in
George Town is a private collection of animals in a natural tropical park
setting on Courts Road.
The 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Frank
Sound. This heritage attraction was officially opened on 27th February, 1994 by
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and named in her honour. The next milestone was
reached in May 1997, when Hon. Thomas Jefferson, Minister for Tourism, Commerce
& Transport, officially opened three new attractions there: the Visitors Centre,
Floral Garden and Heritage Garden, representing the Park's $1.75 million, second
phase expansion program.
Hell; in West Bay, send a postcard from
Hell!
National Trust historic walking tours of central George Town and West
Bay. The Blowholes in quaint East End.
District and historic buildings now
being restored under the direction of the National Trust and National Historic
Sites Committee, including the Old Savannah Schoolhouse.
The Pedro St. James
Historic Site, at Pedro is the Cayman Islands' most important national landmark.
It features a historically accurate restoration of the early 19th century Pedro
St. James great house and grounds in Savannah, Grand Cayman. The site features a
visitor centre and multimedia theatre, gift shop and exhibits. Revered as the
"Birthplace of Democracy in the Cayman Islands," the historic landmark building
formerly known as Pedro Castle, is now one of Cayman's premier heritage
attractions.
Sister Islands
The Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and
Little Cayman are just a 40-minute plane trip away, approximately 89 miles
northeast of Grand Cayman. Island Air offers three daily service between Grand
Cayman and the Sister Islands and Cayman Airways also provides Cayman Brac with
a daily serivce to Grand Cayman.
Little Cayman
Diving, especially on
famous Bloody Bay wall and Jackson Point, is the main attraction. Bird watching,
and light tackle fishing action for bonefish; small tarpon etc. particularly in
South Hole Sound lagoon are exciting activities here.
Little Cayman also
has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby and only breeding
colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds in this hemisphere, the country's first
RAMSAR site, the 202-acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve, now under National Trust
protection. The Little Cayman Trust House, a Caymanian-style building
overlooking the rookery, serves as the headquarters for Little Cayman National
Trust activities. It also provides an observation deck with high-powered
telescopes for year-round viewing the sanctuary's bird life.
Little
Cayman now has its own museum, located across from the Booby Pond Nature
Reserve. Little Cayman also has a resident indigenous Little Cayman Rock Iguana
population estimated at 2,000. There are signs painted by local artists,
cautioning motorists to watch out for iguanas along the main coastal
road.
The local chapter of the National Trust organizes outings and
activities on a regular basis. The mile-long Salt Rock Nature Trail provides
glimpses of Little Cayman's natural habitat.
Cayman Brac
Diving is the
main attraction for most people on this small island. The latest attraction for
divers is the wreck of the 330ft. M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian built
Cuban naval frigate which was sunk off the island's northwest coast. It is now
the home for a variety of marine life. There are two other small wrecks off the
Brac's coast.
Onshore, attractions include the Cayman Brac Museum at
Stake Bay, a variety of dramatic caves; such as Rebecca's Cave, Peter's Cave and
Skull Cave; nature trails; exploring the bluff and ironshore beneath it at the
eastern tip; small, charming homes restored in traditional seafaring
architectural styles - and of course the delightful local people of this unusual
community are its main attractions.
The National Trust chapter has
activities scheduled throughout the year. A two-mile long nature trail on the
bluff adjacent the 180-acre Parrot Reserve was opened in July 1996. Bird
watching has long been considered an excellent attraction of this tiny island.
Deep sea fishing is also available with excellent local
guides.
At West End, the Community Park features indigenous local plant
and tree life identified with wooden signs; a nature trail; playground and
picnic/barbecue facilities. Members of the National Trust visit the DIVI Tiara
Beach Resort on Monday evenings to display local crafts and meet with visitors,
offering additional information on local Trust projects, activities and points
of interests.
Accommodations in Cayman
There are many choices when
it comes to finding accommodations in the Cayman Islands. A wide range of
hotels, condos, villas, and cottages are there to choose from.
Rates on
accommodations in the Cayman Islands will vary depending on whether you intend
to stay in Cayman during the high or low season. The high season in Cayman
begins mid December and usually runs through until mid April. During this period
you should expect to pay about up to 50% more for a room in the Cayman
Islands.
Your choice in Cayman may be Seven Mile Beach, where you can
choose from luxury apartments right on the beach, or perhaps your own private
house. Alternatively, you may prefer to try one of the many options located in
the quiet seclusion of the east and north coast of Grand Cayman or even the more
private and tranquil surroundings of one of the sister islands, Little Cayman
and Cayman Brac.
Dining and Cuisine in Cayman
The choice of
restaurants, fast-food outlets and small snack bars offers visitors a selection
ranging from elegant fine dining to budget fast food and take out. The Cayman
Islands has well over 150 places to eat. Do you like spicy food, or do you
prefer milder flavors? International cuisine, or local dishes? Fast food, or a
sit-down dinner? No matter what your answer, Cayman has the right dining
experience for you.
Traditional Caymanian cuisine has been enlivened by a
strong Jamaican influence of jerk, curry and other vibrant seasonings. Cayman
traditional dishes feature conch, lobster and other local seafood, cooked in a
variety of ways. Local dishes are often complimented by coconut, plantain,
breadfruit, yams, cassava, rice and peas and other West Indian side dishes. If
you're looking for world class international cuisine, you can find it here!
Don't know what you want? Try a Sunday buffet at one of the hotels to sample a
variety of flavors.
In addition to Caribbean and Central American
cuisine, the Cayman Islands also offers a huge range of alternative choices
including European, Italian, German, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese
and even American Tex-Mex. If you want to grab something on the go, you'll find
plenty of recognizable fast-food chains, like Pizza Hut, Dominos, Subway, KFC,
Burger King, and Wendy's.
Visit the Cayman Islands and see for yourself
why so many people come back again and again.