Cayman Time
|
Water Temperature
81°F / 27°C
|
|
Click on any of the common questions below to find out more specific information on the Cayman Islands. If you don't find the information you are looking for in these frequently asked questions or elsewhere on our other web sites at www.divecayman.ky, www.caymanislands.co.uk and media.caymanislands.ky, please consult our contact us page and submit your question directly to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
General
• What time zone does the Cayman Islands operate on?
• Can I bring my pet to the Cayman Islands?
• What is the Legal drinking age in the Cayman lslands?Entry Concerns
• I would like to work in the Cayman Islands. What is the procedure?
• Do I need a Visa to enter the Cayman Islands?
• Do I need a passport to enter the Cayman Islands?Customs Regulations
• Can we bring meat in to the Cayman Islands?
• What about groceries?Weather
• What about hurricanes?
• Will it rain while I am there?
• What about the heat?Diving
• What is Bloody Bay Marine Park?
• Why is Cayman's diving so good?Internet/E Mail Access
• Where can I find Internet or email access on the Islands?Transportation
• Are there Public buses?
• How much would it cost me to get a taxi from Owen Roberts Airport on Grand Cayman to Seven Mile Beach?Health
• What if I get sick?
• Where can I exercise while I am in the Cayman Islands?
• Will I need any vaccinations before entering the Cayman Islands?Accommodations
• Can we camp in the Cayman Islands?
• Are there nude beaches or nudebathing?
• What is the legal drinking age?Money / Exchange Rate
• Do you have your own currency?
• Is the US dollar accepted there & what is the exchange rate?
• Where can I go banking or open an account?Activities
• What is there for my kids to do?
• Where can I play Golf?Getting Married
• Can we get married in the Islands?
• What if we just want to renew our vows?
• Can I get married at any time of day?Festivals
• What festivals are celebrated in the Islands?Inter Island Travel
• How can I get to the Sister Islands or Cayman Brack and Little Cayman?Dining Out
• How much would you expect to pay for a local two-course lunch or dinner?
GeneralQuestion: What time zone does the Cayman Islands operate on?Answer: The Cayman Islands are - 5 hours GMT.Question: Can I bring my pet to the Cayman Islands?Answer: www.agriculture.comQuestion: What is the Legal drinking age in the Cayman lslands?Answer: 18
Entry ConcernsQuestion: I would like to work in the Cayman Islands. What is the procedure?Answer: The agencies listed below will be able to guide you through the correct procedures for securing employment here. Contact them for more information.
Baraud Intl. Recruitment & Personnel Service
Email: baraud@candw.ky
Personnel 2000
Email: p2000@candw.ky
Professional Secretarial & Managerial Service Ltd.
Email: psmscyn@candw.ky
You could also investigate the possibility of searching the online classified ads of Cayman Net News or subscribing to The Caymanian Compass.
Cayman Free Press/Caymanian Compass
P. O. Box 1365
Grand Cayman KY1-1108
Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 949-5111
Email: cfp@candw.ky
Web: www.caycompass.com
Cayman Net News
P. O. Box 10707
Grand Cayman KY1-1006
Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 946-6060
Email: admin@caymannetnews.com
Web: www.caymannetnews.com
...Question: Do I need a Visa to enter the Cayman Islands?Answer: If you are American, British, Canadian, a citizen of another Commonwealth country (with the exception Bangladesh, Gambia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda) or a national of any of the following you will not require a Visa:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, China (peoples republic) citizens holding Hong Kong (SAR China) passports only, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Irish Republic, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland & Venezuela.Question: Do I need a passport to enter the Cayman Islands?Answer: You will need a valid passport and possibly a visa, or, if you are from the US, UK, Canada or any of the other Commonwealth countries an original birth certificate / proof of citizenship with current picture identification is sufficient. Please note that you are also required to have a return or ongoing ticket and that a Voter's Registration Card is no longer considered valid proof of US citizenship and is therefore not valid ID for re-entry into the US.
Customs RegulationsQuestion: Can we bring meat in to the Cayman Islands?Answer: Yes you can, though you may be charged duty if the amount is more than US$35, or if the quantity exceeds what H.M. Customs considers a reasonable amount for your personal consumption while in Cayman.
Meat and other cold cuts coming out of the US must have the USDA stamp of approval, preferably stored in the original supermarket packaging and it has to be inspected by a representative of the Department of Agriculture who is usually found in the Customs area of the Airport terminal.Question: What about groceries?Answer: You are allowed to bring groceries into the Islands. However, we have very well stocked supermarkets, a local farmers' market in Grand Cayman and numerous mini marts and Gas station service marts where you can purchase groceries
WeatherQuestion: What about hurricanes?Answer: The Atlantic Hurricane season starts June 1st and ends officially on November 30th. The Cayman Islands is located in the far Western Caribbean, 480 miles south of Miami, 150 miles south of Cuba, 180 miles Northwest of Jamaica and more than 1,000 miles West of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Leeward Islands.
The Caribbean is a large region and most storms have shown a tendency to veer to the Northwest (towards the US Mainland) long before reaching the far Western Caribbean area. Consequently, the Cayman Islands have often been spared the full wrath of devastating hurricanes. Nowhere is exempt from hurricanes though and we endured Hurricane Ivan which passed through in September 2004. Prior to Hurricane Ivan the last occurred in 1932, and more recent brushes causing some property damage, were Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which passed 30 miles south of Grand Cayman, and Hurricane Mitch in 1998 passing about 200 miles to the south.
Question: Will it rain while I am there?Answer: The year divides into two seasons, the summer or "rainy" season, generally from mid-May through October, moving into the winter or "dry" season, from November to April.March and April are our driest months and May and October are traditionally the highest rainfall months.
This of course, does not mean that it rains constantly during either of those months, but reflects the trend within our region. Being in a tropical zone, it is not unusual to have brief afternoon showers during the summer, and, at certain times, brief morning sprinkles too.Similar to most West Indian Islands, rainfall tends to be higher in the western sections.Question: What about the heat?Answer: The average temperature in the winter is 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees in the summer. Winter or summer, the temperature generally stays within the range of 70 - 90 degrees. The months with the least humidity and lowest temperatures are December through April, February occasionally recording night-time temperatures in the mid 60's, and March probably being the most "temperate" month of the year. We should also point out that most properties offer air-conditioned rooms, and the seasonal trade winds in our region help to make our islands even more enjoyable.
DivingQuestion: What is Bloody Bay Marine Park?Answer: It is a diver's paradise just off the north shore of Little Cayman. The park contains the world famous Bloody Bay Wall which is certainly worth protecting. Also, in the same marine park is Jackson's Wall. Jackson's Wall is home to many favorite dive site too.Question: Why is Cayman's diving so good?Answer: There are a lot of reasons. First of all we aren't mountainous and don't have rivers, so we don't have run-off into the oceans, inhibiting reef development. Second, all three Cayman Islands are actually submerged mountains tops so we have incredible walls all around the islands, reaching in some areas 20,000 feet or more in depth! Third, we have always been very conscious of our precious resource and guarded it by establishing Marine Parks, limiting fishing, virtually spear fishing, outlawing anchoring, educating divers and self-policing the behaviour of our dive operations.
Internet/E Mail AccessQuestion: Where can I find Internet or email access on the Islands?Answer: Access is available at the following places:
Airports Cayman Brac Airport Owen Roberts Airport
(Grand Cayman) – Check-in Area Owen Roberts Airport
(Grand Cayman) - Departure Area
Cable & Wireless Locations
Cable & Wireless Anderson Square Cable & Wireless Brac Office Cable & Wireless Galleria Tortuga Rum Communication Station West Bay Communication Station
Coffee Shops
Café Del Sol Carib Bean Cafe Full of Beans Cafe | Gas StationMike's Esso Libraries East End Library George Town Library
Post Offices
Bodden Town Post Office East End Post Office Hell Post Office North Side Post Office Savannah Post Office Seven Mile Beach Post Office | Restaurants Bacchus Restaurant Breezes Restaurant Castaways Icoa Chocolates Kaibo Restaurant Treats Restaurant
Retail
Cyber Joe's Tortuga Liquors Chocolate Box |
TransportationQuestion: Are there Public buses?Answer: There is a daily bus service which runs from 6 am until midnight depending on the route and the day of travel. The bus fare also depends on the route and varies between CI$1.50 to CI$3.00 per person.
Question: How much would it cost me to get a taxi from Owen Roberts Airport on Grand Cayman to Seven Mile Beach?Answer: On average a taxi would cost from US$10 to US$25 depending on what part you are going to.
HealthQuestion: What if I get sick?Answer: The Government of the Cayman Islands has recently completed the expansion of its main hospital into a large Health Services Complex located in George Town, Grand Cayman. It boasts modern equipment and facilities, in addition to an increased number of highly trained personnel. A 24 hour hyperbaric decompression chamber is available for divers and an air ambulance service for other emergencies. The telephone number is (345) 949-8600. There is also a private hospital currently under construction and a number of other private facilities that offer a variety of professional medical services.
In Cayman Brac, there is the government hospital, Faith Hospital. The number is (345) 948-2243/2245. There is a small clinic in Little Cayman that can be reached at (345) 948-1051.
Question: Where can I exercise while I am in the Cayman Islands?Answer: A number of resorts and condominiums have gym facilities available to their guests. In addition, you can contact any of the following fitness centres on Grand Cayman for rates and times.
Body Sculptor Fitness Centre (345) 939-5288
Curves for Women (345) 943-7546
Fitness Connection Fitness & Aquatic Centre (345) 949-8485
World Gym Fitness Center (345) 949-5132Question: Will I need any vaccinations before entering the Cayman Islands?Answer: Vaccinations are not mandatory to enter our islands, if you wish to find out further information please contact your GP.
AccommodationsQuestion: Can we camp in the Cayman Islands?Answer: Visitors are not permitted to camp on the Cayman Islands as there are no designated Camp sites. The Cayman Islands offer a wide variety of accommodations to suit any budget.Question: Are there nude beaches or nudebathing?Answer: You will not find any nude beaches in the Cayman Islands in fact, please note that the Cayman Islands Law prohibits all forms of public nudity, including topless sunbathing. Many business places also request that you wear shoes and an appropriate cover-up before entering. Question: What is the legal drinking age?Answer: 18 years and older. Our Rum Punches can pack a punch, so please remember no drinking and driving.
Money / Exchange RateQuestion: Do you have your own currency?Answer: Yes we do! The Cayman Islands currency was first issued in 1972. The basic unit is the dollar, issued in notes with denominations of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 and coins valued at 25 cents, 10, 5 and 1 cent.Question: Is the US dollar accepted there & what is the exchange rate?Answer: Yes it is widely accepted throughout the islands. CI$1.00 equals US$1.25 or, the US dollar equals CI $.80. This rate may also vary on the company / business doing the exchange. Question: Where can I go banking or open an account?Answer: Banking information can be obtained from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority at cima@cimoney.com.ky or c.scotland@cimoney.com.ky.
You can also visit their web site at www.cimoney.com.ky.
ActivitiesQuestion: What is there for my kids to do?Answer: They will enjoy the various watersports like the banana boats, two person parasailing or discovering our fantastic marine world through snorkelling and swimming with colourful tropical fish. Adolescents over 12 years can also learn to dive! View our amazing underwater reefs in submarines, semi-submersibles and glass bottom boats. Not to be missed is our famous Stingray City snorkel trip where everyone becomes a child at heart swimming with tamed southern stingrays in their natural habitat, the open sea.
There is Boatswain's Beach the new home of the Turtle Farm located in West Bay where you can find many different species, sizes and ages of turtles in addition to indigenous animals and birds.
Other activities include mini-golf, a visit to the Cayman Islands Museum and the multi-media theatre at Pedro St. James Historic Site. For kids 10 years and older horseback riding is available, as well as cycling, golf and tennis.
Some hotels also host kid camps for children under the age of 12. If you are visiting our national festival Pirates Weeks there are numerous activities for children.Question: Where can I play Golf?Answer: There are two golf courses in the Cayman Islands, both located on Grand Cayman. The Britannia Golf Course is a unique 18 hole executive with par 3's and 4's. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday mornings the course is played Executive format. Otherwise it is played as a very challenging 9 hole regulation course (twice for 18 if you so desire).
The course is usually played with regular golf balls, however the Cayman Ball (that travels half the distance of a normal ball) was specially developed by course designer Jack Nicklaus with the executive course in mind to give golfers the feel of playing a regulation course on an executive layout. Some visitors like to try their hand at this very different experience!
Getting MarriedQuestion: Can we get married in the Islands?Answer: Couples can marry the day they arrive in the Cayman Islands, including visitors arriving by cruise ship. You must first arrange for a marriage officer within the Cayman Islands and apply for a special marriage license for non-residents granted by the Governor. Contact the Deputy Chief Secretary's office for more information. Question: What if we just want to renew our vows?Answer: All you would need is a marriage officer and your proof of marriage. All other details relating to your special moment can be arranged at your discretion.Question: Can I get married at any time of day?Answer: All weddings held in the Cayman Islands must take place between 6am and 8pm.
FestivalsQuestion: What festivals are celebrated in the Islands?Answer: Pirates Week
November is a very exciting time to be visiting Grand Cayman. Our National Pirates Week Festival is celebrated at that time. The festivities usually start with the first of many fireworks displays viewed best from Hog Sty Bay in George Town. There is a spectacular parade through George Town, heritage days throughout the week, costume contests, music, street dances, food festivals and sporting events during the ten day celebration! The celebration features many activities for children.
Batabano Carnival
Since its humble beginnings in 1984 as a community event which closed the tourism season, Rotary's Batabano Carnival has grown to become one of the Cayman Islands' most popular National Tourism Attractions. This carnival draws thousands of residents and visitors out into the streets to enjoy the music and dancing of the Mas' (short for Masquerade). With over 500 costumed participants in the Mas' , Batabano's Street Parade is a wonderfully colourful spectacle enjoyed by adults and children of all ages.
Inter Island TravelQuestion: How can I get to the Sister Islands or Cayman Brack and Little Cayman?Answer: Cayman Express offers numerous flights daily from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman for reservations call 00 1 345.949.2311 or visit www.caymanairways.com Cayman Airways also offers a 737 jet service from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac.
Dining OutQuestion: How much would you expect to pay for a local two-course lunch or dinner?Answer: On average you can expect to pay between US$16.00-US$32.00
|
|
