Cayman islands – the overseas territory of Great Britain in the Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba, 730 km south of Miami (USA) and 267 km north-west of Jamaica. The territory includes the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Area – 264 sq. km. The capital is Georgetown, located on the west coast of Grand Cayman Island.
Fans of diving or surfing should definitely visit a corner of picturesque tropical vegetation called the Cayman Islands. Here you can enjoy plenty of quiet and measured rest, as well as developed infrastructure.
With beautiful coral reefs and bright, clear, turquoise waters, the Cayman Islands have long been a popular playground for travelers. The islands are especially popular with divers, and there is plenty of great diving and snorkeling. This overseas territory of the United Kingdom has a population of about 55,500. Its capital is George Town, located on Grand Cayman, the largest island. The Cayman Island Dollar is the official currency, but US money is widely accepted. English is the predominant language, but many here speak local Creole dialects.
In addition to the Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands consist of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, where you will find The Bluff. The highest point on the Cayman Islands, The Bluff stands at 141 feet. This may not sound very loud, but it stands out due to the country’s extremely flat terrain. Most people flying to the Cayman Islands arrive at George Town’s Owens Roberts International Airport. Then scatter to the three main islands to enjoy a variety of exciting attractions. Seven Mile Beach is not to be missed and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is another popular spot. If you visit, be sure to visit Boatswain Beach, which features a stunning turtle farm.
Caymans cuisine is dominated by shellfish, fish and turtles. Because the hurricane season lasts from June to November, it is generally best to visit between December and May. Most of the hotels here are located in Grand Cayman, making it a good starting point for other attractions around the islands.
- Capital city – George Town
- Language – English and Spanish
The largest island in the Cayman Islands is Grand Cayman, with an area of 197 sq. km, and the length is 35 km with a width of 6.5 km. The highest point of the island is 16 m. A significant part of the island is occupied by the North Sound Lagoon (56 sq. Km).
Little Cayman Island lies 8 km west of Cayman Brac Island. Little Cayman’s area is 16 km². The surface of the island is low-lying, only in the northern part does the coast reach a height of 12 m.
Cayman Brac Island lies 142 km northeast of Grand Cayman. Length – 19 km with an average width of 2 km, area – about 24 km². The highest point of the island is 46 m.
There are no rivers on the islands. The coast is surrounded by reefs and, in some places, mangroves, which sometimes extend to the swampy interior of the islands. Vegetation and wildlife are poor, but the surrounding waters are rich in fish, turtles, crustaceans and molluscs.
State flag of the Cayman Islands
The color scheme and pronounced symbolism of the national flag of the Cayman Islands shows an inextricable connection with Great Britain and the Queen. It is the blue English stern flag that underlies the creation of the main state symbol of the Caymans. The modern appearance of such a flag is an oblong rectangular canvas of rich dark blue, which is complemented by the British flag in the upper left corner, and the coat of arms of these tropical flowering lands on the right.
On the coat of arms, green stars in gold rims represent the three major Cayman Islands. The wavy blue and white lines are considered the symbol of the Caribbean. The lion on the red canvas shows the main symbol of Great Britain. The turtle with a pineapple on its back is also of particular importance, representing the nautical history of the island territories and the traditional industry that thrives in the Caymans. The English inscription at the bottom of the shield represents an extract and scripture that shows the Christianity of the people of the Cayman Islands.
At the state level, such a flag in the Caymans was adopted only in May 1958 by a government decision.
Climate in the Cayman Islands
Climate in the Cayman Islands – tropical, trade wind.
Average monthly temperatures range from + 15 ° С in winter and up to + 30 ° С in summer. From May to October the temperature practically does not change and is about + 28 ° С … + 30 ° С, from November to April it is dry and relatively cool, the average daily temperature is + 17 ° С … + 24 ° С.
The rainy season is from May to October (showers are usually heavy, but short-lived). From November to April, the weather is relatively dry and clear, rains are rare and mostly in the evening or at night. From June to November, hurricanes and storms can pass through the Cayman Islands.
The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is from mid-December to mid-April (peak tourist season).
Population
Population of the Cayman Islands – about 64,174 people (2018).
The average life expectancy is 78 years for men, 83 years for women.
Ethno-racial composition: mulattos 41%, whites 20%, blacks 20%, immigrants (mainly Cubans) and other 20%.
The majority of believers (about 90%) are Christians (Catholics, Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, and others).
The official language is English. Spanish is also common.
About money
Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD or CI $) – the monetary unit of the Cayman Islands. 1 KYD = 100 cents. Coins of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents and banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 dollars.
US dollars are freely circulating on the territory of the islands and are accepted for payment or exchanged in most banks and commercial establishments.
You can exchange currency at banks, hotels and exchange offices located at the airport and in numerous banks in the capital.
Most hotels, shops and travel agencies accept credit cards from the world’s leading payment systems. ATM machines are ubiquitous. However, in some small restaurants, hotels and cafes, especially in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, it is extremely difficult to use credit cards.
Travel checks can be cashed at most major stores, hotels, banks and travel agencies. To avoid additional costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended that you bring your checks in USD.
Communication and communications
Calling code: 1 – 345
Internet domain: .ky
Emergency (ambulance, police, fire): 911
How to call
To call from Russia to the Cayman Islands, you need to dial: 8 – dial tone – 10 – 1 – 345 – subscriber’s number.
To call from the Cayman Islands to Russia, you need to dial: 011 – 7 – area code – subscriber number.
The cultural and natural history of the Cayman Islands comes to life at the National Museum. Located in the Old Courts building, the museum is open to visitors every day with the ritual blasting of a shell. Inside, everything from catboats and coins to stamps, fantastic stuffed birds and traditional clothing provide visitors with a wonderful introduction to the rich history of the Cayman people.
Life was very different on the islands in the 18th century and guests can share the experience of the first settlers at Mission House. The national historic site includes a two-storey house built in a traditional Caymanian style. Once home to missionaries, families and teachers who grew up in the Presbyterian ministry in Boden, the original capital, the building takes visitors back in time, recreating the history of the islands. Genuine items fill the bathroom, dining room, living room and bedroom, many of which belonged to the Watler family who called the place home for more than seven decades. The sense of family is evident in every room and guests understand the many challenges of missionary life as they walk through the rooms.
The surrounding areas are also worth exploring. Dense epiphytes, or “air plants”, grow in thickets, five species of dirt thrive in the soil and the lake is home to a variety of waterfowl, birds and freshwater turtles.
Just a 40-minute drive from George Town is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park. The world-class park is abundant with rich flora that grows in theme gardens. A cottage with pink cotton-candy is located in the Heritage Garden, surrounded by white sand, fruit trees, medicinal plants, traditional crops and a separate cooking room. Walking on the trails, visitors get a sense of life on the islands in the early 20th century.
As they complicate Floral Color Gardens, guests pass by a rainbow of flowers arranged in shades of bright pink giving way to bright reds, fiery oranges, sunny yellows, serene whites, and cool blues, purples, and lavender. In the center of the glorious abundance is a gazebo surrounded by a quiet lake with lilies.
Escape the hustle and bustle of George Town by taking a taxi to Seven Mile Beach, called one of the “ultimate beaches” in the world by travel experts. The extent of white sand is one of the reasons why the Cayman Islands are celebrated as the epitome of an island getaway and a primary Caribbean destination. Visitors from all over the world flock to the beach to explore the clear waters and coral sand. Walk to hotels, villas, resorts, beach bars and sand-lining shops, work out in the hot sun, relax by watching the waves roll, or take a more adventurous diving, snorkelling and hiking trail. boating in the crystal clear waters.
Cayman Turtle Farm is not far from the beach. One of the most exciting attractions in all the Caribbean, the farm allows visitors to interact and observe native flora and fauna, such as sharks, eels, birds and over 10,000 green sea turtles.
How to get to the Caymans
There are no direct flights between Russia and the Cayman Islands.
The most convenient flight option from Moscow: with one change via London with British Airways: Moscow – London (Heathrow) – Grand Cayman. In this case, a transit visa is not needed, since a flight from Moscow arrives at Heathrow, and a flight to the Cayman Islands also departs from here. The duration of the flight is from 20 hours (depending on the connection). The average cost of the flight is about 1000 – 1200 euros (in both directions).
Also, the Cayman Islands can be reached through the USA (Miami, New York).
Airlines fly from the USA to the Cayman Islands: DELTA (Atlanta) Cayman airways (Miami, New York, Washington), American airlines (Miami).
If you are flying through the United States, you must obtain an American visa. Even for transit passengers who do not leave the airport.
Safety
The Cayman Islands are considered a safe destination for tourists. The crime rate is low, and violent crimes are extremely rare.
Compliance with generally accepted standards of personal safety is quite enough here – you should not leave valuable things and documents unattended, it is not recommended to change money on the street or to demonstrate your well-being in public places.
Women traveling alone should be especially careful at night, as sexual assaults sometimes do occur.
Hurricanes are possible from June to November.
Helpful information
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Life in the Cayman Islands is rather conservative: public displays of passion (both homosexual and heterosexual) are generally discouraged.
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Camping in the Cayman Islands is prohibited! Any tourist caught in unauthorized setting up of a camp will be subject to administrative penalties up to and including detention. Local authorities explain this rule by the fact that the islands offer a wide variety of all kinds of accommodation for any budget, while the local nature is very vulnerable.
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The islands’ strict maritime laws prohibit spearfishing and the ascent to the surface of any form of marine life, including empty shells and dead coral branches. If necessary, such souvenirs can be purchased at quite reasonable prices in specialized stores (on departure for such products, you will need to present an invoice from the trade institution).
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All tap water in the country is obtained by distilling sea water and is safe to drink. It is recommended to use bottled water.