Travelers Information

Below are a some important tips to remember BEFORE you travel abroad.

Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination.

Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas.

Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go.

Make copies of your passport, insurance policy & 24-hour emergency number

Leave a copy of your passport, insurance policy and ticket details with family and friends

Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds e.g. travelers cheques

Leave a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you, with family and friends.

Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date.

Write the full details of your next of kin in your passport.

Take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph).

Plan to stay healthy.

Check if your medication is legal in the country you are visiting.

Pack your medication in your hand luggage.

If taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter.

Make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs.

Make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes.

Take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies.

Check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card(s).

The first thing you should do if anything goes wrong is to contact your relatives and friends at home. They can then take appropriate action within the United States. The same advice should be taken if a natural disaster occurs during your visit to a foreign country.

In most cases people only need advice. But in cases of real difficulty such as death, serious accidents and illnesses, arrests and detentions, or those at risk of physical harm, the Consultant will take action.

Informational Links for our US guests...

Companies that process US Passports and Visas in 24 Hours
for individuals, corporations and travel agents.

Informational Links for our UK guests...





Informational Links for our Canadian Guests...

Please find below a number of informative, full-color, hi-res brochures about relaxing, diving and snorkeling in the Cayman Islands. The files are in PDF format.

Click on the PDF graphic symbol beside the file of your choice to view. Depending upon how you have your browser and computer set up, you may be asked to download the file to your computer or the file may open automatically in a new browser window.

General Information Brochures

The Path to Relaxation	6.1MB

Diving Brochures

Cayman Islands Dive Guide	5.4MB
Cayman Islands Dive Brochure	137k

Snorkeling Brochures

Cayman Islands Snorkeling Guide	3.9MB
Cayman Islands Snorkeling Brochure	130k

What to Wear [Weather]

Dress is more restrictive than other islands and more elegant. Neat, casual and comfortable tropical attire are appropriate throughout the Cayman Islands. Dress is casual and public nudity, including topless sunbathing, is strictly prohibited. A beach cover-up shirt, or dress is required when you leave the beach. Pack smart, casual tropical resort wear for evenings out at restaurants, "Sunday dress" attire for attending church services, and plenty of swimsuits. Although it is the tropics, occasionally it can become cool at night. Packing a warm shirt is a good idea. For nighttime dining, casual elegance - something more than T-shirt and shorts - are preferred.

The Cayman Islands remains on Eastern Standard Time year-round and does not change to Daylight Savings Time in April.

Currency

The Cayman Islands has its own currency, whose basic unit is the dollar. The CI dollar has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. There is no need for visitors to exchange their US dollars into local currency. The US dollar is accepted throughout the islands. The local currency, the Cayman Islands dollar, is equivalent to US $1.25. American currency is generally accepted as are major credit cards. Banking hours are 9 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 9 am to 1 pm, and 2 pm to 4:30 pm on Friday. The departure tax when leaving Cayman is US $12.50.

The Cayman Islands use the same electrical standards as the USA - 110volts, 60Hz. Most of our electronics and appliances are imported from the USA, and any travel items such as camcorders, blow-dryers, electric razors and travel clocks will work.

A mandatory Government room tax of 10% is standard and will be added to your room charge. A departure tax of CI$10.00 or US$12.50 per person is also payable at the airport if not included in your ticket.

The legal age for drinking alcoholic beverages on the Cayman Islands is 18 years. A licensee may lose his license or be fined for serving alcoholic beverages to any under-age person.

Many restaurants will automatically add a charge of 15% to your total food and drink bill. In this case tipping is not required, and you should check your bill before leaving extra. Your food and beverage server receives only a portion of the gratuity, and you may tip extra at your discretion.

The piped water in the Cayman Islands is completely safe to cook with or drink. All hotels and condos and most restaurants and private homes are connected to the city water supply. The water is originally pumped from the sea and then purified by reverse osmosis.

The Cayman Islands is served by 4 FM radio stations offering a mix of local and international music and programming via Radio Cayman 105.3 & 89.9; Z-99 99.9; ICCI 101.1. There are two free "over-the-air" local television stations: CITN Cayman 27 (also on cable channel 12) and CITS Island 24 (cable channel 9). Cayman 27 offers 24 hours of international and local programming, while Island 24 is a 24-hour tourist information channel. There is also Cable TV (35 channels including ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, ESPN) which is available at most hotels, condos and other rental accommodations, and is in wide use in private residences. CITN also broadcasts the Pirate Landing Pageant and Float Parade live the first Saturday of the Festival, and in a later re-broadcast.

Transportation
Major car rental agencies and excellent local ones provide cars, jeeps, and buses. A valid driver's license from your country of origin would be needed to obtain a visitor's driving permit. Ground tour operators and taxis will also take you around on island tours if you prefer not to drive. Also available for rent are bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes.

McCurley's - They provide transportation to and from the airport in air-conditioned limo buses, primarily to North Side and East End. They have 17 years of experience, and allow grocery and liquor store stops. They prices are 15% less than the competition. Car rentals available at very competitive prices. Phone: 345-947-9626, Fax: 345-947-9626

Taxi Rates
Rates are one way and based on up to four passengers per taxi, and two pieces of luggage per person. Extra luggage costs US $1.20 or CI $1.00.

These child companies are licensed, insured and professionally trained to care for your child... so you can rest assured that your children are getting the best care while you enjoy some of the island wonderful fine dining and night life, or to enjoy a day of driving.

Baby-sitting, child care, care of the elderly, and equipment rental, for hotel and condo guests, in the comfort of your tourist facility by a trained staff of mothers with previous experience in the field. Call (345) 949-1509, or fax to (345) 949-0213.

Duty Free Shopping
A number of shops offer the world's best perfumes, watches, jewelry, crystal, and china at duty free prices.

Religion & Churches
Cayman is, mainly, a Christian community with churches representing various denominations including the Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Seventh Day Adventists, Presbyterians. Visitors are always welcome at services.

Festivals & Carnivals
The Pirates Week Festival held in October celebrates the island's swashbuckling history and is the largest annual festival. The Batabano Carnival is held in spring and has a more Caribbean flavor with costumed bands taking to the streets to the sound of steel pan music. The Queen's Birthday Parade in June is an event of pomp and underlines Cayman's close ties with the British Crown.

Nightlife
Several nightclubs cater to American and Caribbean musical tastes. There are two comedy clubs, two local theatres that regularly stage dramatic performances, and a cinema that presents current movies.

Pet Regulations
A current official health certificate for your pet plus a completed application form for the importation of dogs and cats to the Cayman Islands are needed to obtain an Import Permit. ResidentDogsAndCats.pdf