Grand Cayman – Caribbean Travel Tips

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Because of it’s placement in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman enjoys a very stable weather environment. Summer can be hot with very high humidity, but nights cool down a bit. Winter has considerably cooler evenings, but only enough to put on a light jacket. Tropical storms hit every few years, but for the most part you will have beautiful weather no matter what time of the year you go.

This is a popular spot for cruise ships, so you will see many of them while you are there. The Owen Roberts Airport is the only airport in Grand Cayman, but you will have no problem getting flights in and

out daily. It is located 2 miles south of George Town, the popular tourist area. Although they do have minibuses, they are elusive at best. There is no set place for pick up and drop off, so the recommendation is to rent a car. You will also enjoy the freedom of being able to drive where you want, and be able to see some of the non-tourist areas. Just remember, they drive on the left side of the road, so make sure you know this before you get on the roads. Taxis are available, but the area is small and flat enough that you could just rent a bike to get around town.

The Cayman Island Dollar is the currency here. USD are accepted most places at the standard exchange rate of US$1.00 to CI$.80. George Town has an abundance of ATM’s so you won’t necessarily need traveler’s checks. Cable and wireless Internet service is available at most hotels and a few Internet Café’s that they have in George Town. The price usually ranges from CI$6 to CI$10 per hour.

Grand Cayman has some absolutely beautiful resorts. They range in price from low budget to high luxury. Most of the resorts or hotels you want to stay at are located on the beach. When you get off the beaten trail they may not have as many luxuries as you may want on vacation. But, due to the large tourist trade here, most of these hotels and resorts can book up fast. So, more and more vacation rentals are popping up all over the island. You can easily find an awesome Cayman Island vacation rental cheaper than most of the resorts on the island, with all the amenities that you long for.

Grand Cayman is known for their mosquito problem, especially during sunrise and sunset, so make sure to bring plenty of bug spray, because you will definitely need it. Swim gear is a must, so bring a bathing suit. Scuba and snorkeling gear can be rented out at various places along the beach so you won’t need to pack that. If you are an avid golfer you may want to consider bring your clubs to enjoy one of the many stunning courses that Grand Cayman has to offer.

The legal age to drink is 18 so be aware of the alcohol consumption in the tourist areas. Grand Cayman isn’t known for it’s nightlife, but there are a few fantastic places that you can let loose. For the most enjoyment of Grand Cayman, you should try to go where the locals go. George Town is predominately a tourist area, and if you just go a little out of the way you may find more culture and history.

June 26th, 2008 Posted by admin | Caribic | no comments

Cayman Brac – What Every Vacationer Should Know

Let’s start with the climate and the weather in Cayman Brac, which is very warm and tropical all year long. The high temperatures in the island are moderated by trade winds and the rainy season on the island is generally very short. There is a hurricane season on Cayman Brac from June to November. And considering the island are low lying there are high risks of floods if a storm does hit.

Money and currency is what every vacationer needs, and the currency of Cayman Brac is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD symbol CI$). The Cayman Islands Dollar is tied to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of

CI$1 = US$1.25, although bank charges for currency exchange may result in minor fluctuations.
US Dollars circulate freely and are the best currency to exchange. Major credit cards are widely accepted across all of the Cayman Islands.

Getting to the island is not hard either. There is an international airport on Cayman Brac, Gerrard Smith International Airport. Most of the International flights go to the main airport of the Cayman Islands but there are some that go to Cayman Brac. Cruise ships dock regularly at Creek on Cayman Brac. Car rental is virtually the only transport on the island, as there is no bus or taxi service available. You can rent from car rental agencies at the airport or even have a car delivered to you. The required driving permit is available from your car rental agency for US$7.50 and you must be at least 21 and carry a valid driver’s license from home. Motorcycles and scooters are also available on Cayman Brac. Traffic on the island moves slowly and is done on the left side of the road.

There are a few small hotels and resorts on Cayman Brac but the majority of accommodations on the island fall into the self-catering apartments, which are quite nice. There are also many great vacation rentals in private homes that you can enjoy on your vacation here, but you need to make sure to book one early to get all the amenities that you want. There are plenty of different areas of the island to look at when choosing your Cayman Brac vacation rental, so be sure that you pick an area that has most of the things you want to do near by – such as beaches, shopping, and so on.

There are a few markets available on Cayman Brac to buy the essentials. If you are on medication make sure you have enough for the trip, as there are no pharmacies on Cayman Brac. Cayman Brac does have medical facilities and they also have an island-wide, 24 hour, 911 emergency service. Diving is one of the highlights of Cayman Brac. Various locations around the Grand Cayman Islands offer wreck diving, particularly Cayman Brac, where a Russian warship was intentionally sunk.

Overall, Cayman Brac is one of the crown jewels in the Cayman islands. There is so much to do on a vacation here that you won’t be able to decide what to do first!

June 25th, 2008 Posted by admin | Caribic | no comments

The Basics of Vacationing on the Abacos Islands

Since the islands are located in the northern Bahamas, the warm tropical climate is perfect for a

vacation any time of the year. This wonderful climate is also great for those who enjoy water sports as well as rain forest type activities, such as hiking. The climate around the island does have a certain season that is more prone to hurricanes and larger storms that roll in off the oceans due to the warmer air in the Gulf of Mexico. This season runs from the end of the winter season through mid-summer, so check with your travel agent or travel guide before you book a stay to make sure that you don’t arrive in the middle of a stormy season.

The currency used on the Abacos Islands is either the US or the Bahamian dollar. Both have an equal footing here, so it is a clear 1:1 trade ratio. For other forms of currency conversion, you can use what the US or Bahamian dollar is currently worth. All major credit cards are welcome on the Abacos Islands, and you won’t find a shortage of ATM’s here either.

To get to the Abacos islands, you can take a flight in to their international airport or charter a flight from another island. You can also take a cruise ship here, or book a smaller ship to take you from island to island. The Abacos islands are comprised of several islands, and you can charter or rent a boat to take you to any of these other islands for a day out if you prefer. Getting around the islands can be done by car or taxi, as well as by foot or bike. There are many great shops and activities all around the island, so you can always walk to any destination you choose. Since the Abacos Islands are part of the Bahamas and are a major vacation destination, the phone service here is very good. You can always find a phone in about every part of the island and cell phone reception here is good as well. There are also several internet cafe’s around the island, so you can check your email or send home some early vacation photos. Depending on the activities that you are planning to enjoy while on vacation here on the Abaco Islands, you should bring your swimsuit and plenty of sunscreen. There are many great water sports to enjoy from all of the islands as well as boating and fishing to enjoy, so a swimsuit and sunscreen are essential items on your vacation.

With the rich area of the islands at your feet, you can find a wealth of natural beauty and wonders to see and experience while you are here. The Abacos islands also has it’s share of wonderfully crafted art work and other traditional pieces that you can take home, so be sure that you visit some of the smaller shops around the island. Some of the islands that make up the Abacos islands are known for special beaches and areas that you just cannot miss, so be sure to check with your hotel or resort to see if they offer any tours or packages to their guests so you can be sure to enjoy it all while you are on vacation here. Of course with the many great places to stay on the Abacos islands, the best way to experience all that they have to offer is to find a nice, private vacation rental to enjoy your stay.

June 23rd, 2008 Posted by admin | Caribic | no comments