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 Central America and the Carribean |
Grand Cayman: It's a special Caribbean Island  Cayman Islands:a special place wiithout that "island attitude" found in parts of the Caribbean.. Once known as the Tortugas and strongholds for 18th century pirates, the Caymans have become a 21st century stronghold for discriminating tourism that prefers an upscale ambiance to island glitz. By Rod Lopez-Fabrega |
  ...this is a "special" island ...without that "island attitude" found in some other parts of the Caribbean.. |
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This British Crown Colony is rapidly emerging as a destination that offers a splendid upscale vacation environment with a friendly, law-abiding native population of approximately 36,000 descendants of British, Irish, Scottish and African settlers. The resulting blend has produced a conservative work and religious ethic combined with the fun-loving spirit of the islands. What is more, the government and the private sector are making a concerted effort to encourage high-end development in the Caymans. What does that mean? It means this is a "special" island with a prosperous, church-going population; very little crime; virtually no slum areas; excellent tourism accommodations; exceptional diving and water sports; an international reputation as an off-shore banking center; the orderly character the Brits established wherever they hoisted their flag; and without that "island attitude" found in some other parts of the Caribbean.. |
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Also known as the Tortugas, meaning the Turtles in Spanish, the islands once were replenishment centers for explorers, privateers and pirates. |
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 Located in the Caribbean between Jamaica and Cuba, the Caymans are really three islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, but tourism, business and government are mostly centered on Grand Cayman, as the name suggests, the biggest of the three. The islands have a rugged history. Also known as the Tortugas, meaning the Turtles in Spanish, the islands once were the replenishment centers for English, French, Dutch and Spanish explorers, privateers and pirates. In those days, turtle meat was highly regarded by these renegades since live turtles kept well in the holds of their ships until needed for the pot. The islands came under British control in 1655 when Jamaica was captured from the Spanish. Today, the Cayman Islands remain a British Crown Colony, and law and order reigns, but the turtles are still there. |
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Cayman Turtle Farms Ltd. is a unique turtle hatchery... |
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Turtle Farm In fact, one of the interesting things to do on the island is to visit Cayman Turtle Farms Ltd., located in West Bay. It is a unique turtle hatchery performing double duty. 15,000 turtles, from newly hatched to 600-pound adults, provide both a stock of fresh Green turtle meat for local restaurants and, more importantly, release many Greens along with rarer species such as endangered Kemp's Ridley turtles and others into the wild. |
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Pedro St. James estate played a significant role as "the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands." |
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Pedro St. James Castle This is a magnificently restored old manor house, an authentic example of a traditional 100-year-old Caymanian wattle and daub house. Its oiled floors and breezy verandas are a clear indication of the manner in which well-to-do islanders lived in past centuries. The main interior sitting room, restored to 18th century finery, is a testament to the part St. James estate played as "the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands." In an exhibition center on the property, a well-crafted multimedia exhibition dramatically explains these historic events. |
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Its collections of rare tropical plants is exceptional. |
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Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park No, don't turn up your nose. As botanic parks go, this is an exceptionally well planned one. Its collections of rare tropical plants is exceptional, and walking trails throughout the grounds are planned for all levels of mobility. The profusion of flowering plants and shrubs is breathtaking. For those staying in one of the South Sound condominiums, the botanic park is a pleasant bicycle ride away best taken early in the morning before the sun begins to do its heaviest work. |
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The eastern beaches are shielded from the ocean by a barrier reef that provides placid swimming for families with small children. |
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The Beaches For sun worshippers, and why else would you travel to the Caribbean, Seven Mile Beach on the western end of the island, has been called, "the most beautiful beach in the world." That is subject to interpretation, but it does feature broad expanses of fine white sand and excellent snorkeling. It is located close to George Town.  Farther away from George Town are the beaches of the east end. Many of these are owned by the growing number of condominiums, but most are accessible to non-residents. One special attraction is that the eastern beaches are shielded from the ocean by a barrier reef that provides placid swimming for families with small children. One drawback is that these beaches are far enough to require a taxi ride (or public transportation) for those staying near George Town. There are also several interesting shipwrecks in the waters protected by the barrier reef for more adventurous Scuba or snorkeling enthusiasts. |
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Out in the bay, a short and pleasant boat ride away from the docks of North Sound is an area called Sting Ray City. Grand Cayman, includes some of the Caribbean's best Scuba sites...  |
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Water Sports Back at the other end of the island in North Sound is to be found one of the most amazing and unique interspecies experiences in the world. Out in the bay, a short and pleasant boat ride away from the docks of North Sound is an area called Sting Ray City. It's actually a sand bar where charter craft can anchor and visitors may wade out in chest-deep water to swim with the sting rays. These gentle and friendly creatures will glide among humans, brushing against them, feeding from visitors' hands, and even allowing thrilled visitors to lift them out of the water. They will only too gladly suck bits of fish meat from your closed fist. Just remember to keep the creature's stinger pointed away from you, but not to worry, the ray is much more interested in the morsel in your fist than in intimidating you. It's an experience to remember. There is much more to do on Grand Cayman, including some of the Caribbean's best Scuba sites and excellent snorkeling possibilities. Fishing is excellent, and both anglers and deep-sea game enthusiasts will find plentiful year round charter options. The claim is that deep-sea game fish such as blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dolphin and barracuda can be caught a quarter-mile offshore. If you are a fisherman, you'll have to check this out for yourself. |
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The cruise ships dock offshore and disgorge gaggles of tourists. A profusion of foreign banks line the back streets of George Town. |
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George Town The capital city is where all the action is, as you might expect. It is a shopper's paradise or trap, depending on how you look at it. The cruise ships dock offshore and disgorge gaggles of tourists whose only impression of the Cayman Islands may very well be restricted to the interior of the Cayman branch of Cartier's. One location in George Town that alone is worth a visit to this island is Captain Rackham's Original Pirate Rum Cake Emporium. Located near the ferry landing, it is a factory store that does a worldwide mail order business in truly marvelous rum cakes, and you can stock up right there at their retail store.  Another interesting observation you can make if you walk around George Town is the profusion of foreign banks that line the back streets. They are a significant source of income for the islands, long known in the financial world as the place for offshore banking. It's not an issue that is stressed in tourism brochures, but there they are, fairly or not at times known as good places to keep accounts quietly and away from the prying eyes of every nation. |
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You can send your mail greetings postmarked from Hell... |
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Hell It's a short ride to Hell from anywhere on the island. It's actually a field of raggedy volcanic stones that have their own post office. You can send your mail greetings postmarked from Hell to friends and family. |
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The hotel sector already is very upscale... but plentiful accommodations are available in private home rentals, apartments and some moderately priced hotels. |
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Accommodations The hotel sector already is very upscale with Marriott, Westin, Hyatt and now a Ritz Carlton, but plentiful accommodations are available in private home rentals, apartments and some moderately priced hotels. A very good option in Grand Cayman is in time-share vacation ownership side. One new site that does not hustle its potential customers and has excellent beach frontage on the North Shore is the Royal Reefs Resort. Royal Resorts is best known for its star properties in Cancun and other Mexican resorts. For those not ready to buy and island condo, a really fine option is to sublet an apartment for one week from the property. Your travel agent can arrange this for you, and some very interesting economies are possible. One drawback of the North Shore and the eastern beaches is that a rented auto or frequent taxi rides are required to get from there to most other activities on the island. |
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Getting There The Caymans are served by more than 108 weekly flights, including 70 non-stops between Miami and Grand Cayman by Delta, American and US Airways. Best of all, the flight from Miami is just about 70-minutes long. Another option is Cayman Airways, which operates 3 Boeing 737-200 aircraft, flying non-stop between Grand Cayman and four United States gateways: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, FL; Houston,TX, as well as offering inter-island service to Kingston, Jamaica and Cayman Grand Cayman and four United States gateways: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, FL; Houston,TX, as well as offering inter-island service to Kingston, Jamaica and Cayman.The airline frequently has special offers. Check their website at http://www.caymanairways.com . |
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Photo Credits: Rod Lopez-Fabrega and Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. |
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© 2000 ROMAR TRAVEL GUIDES
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