GRAND CAYMAN

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and is known as the diving mecca. It is the offshore banking center of the Caribbean, with more than 500 banks in its capital, George Town.

It is the site of a major condominium development. Almost all the Cayman Islands’ population of 32,000 live on Grand Cayman. Its civil manners reflect British heritage.

One of the island’s most popular attractions is the Atlantis XI, a submersible that’s 65 feet long, weighs 80 tons and was build at a cost of $3 million to carry 48 passengers

Getting Around

All arriving flights are met by taxis; the fares are fixed. Taxis, which will hold five people will also take visitors on around-the-island tours. Cayman Cab Team offers 24-hour service. You can also call A.A. Transportation. Several car rental agencies operate on the island. Each will issue the mandatory Cayman Islands driving permit for an additional $7.50. All three require that reservations be made between 6 and 36 hours before pickup. At Avis drivers must be at least 21 and at Hertz, 25. Remember to drive on the left. You may also rent scooters, bicycles and jeeps.

Where to Stay

A. Very Expensive

Caribbean Club

Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman

Westin Casuarina Resort

B. Expensive

Marriott Resort Grand Cayman

C. Moderate

Beach Club Hotel & Dive Resort

Spanish Bay Reef

D. Inexpensive

Cayman Diving Lodge

Sleep Inn Hotel

The Avalon

Colonial Club

London House

Morritt’s Tortuga Club and Resort

Pan-Cayman

Silver Sands

Where to Dine

A. Expensive

Grand Old House

Hemingway’s

Lantanas

Lobster Pot

Ottmar’s Restaurant and Lounge

Ristorante Pappagallo

The Wharf

B. Moderate

The Almond Tree

Benjamin’s Roof

Captain Brians

Cracked Conch by the Sea

Crow’s Nest Restaurant

Island Taste

C. Inexpensive

Big Daddy’s Restaurant and Sports Bar

Corita’s Copper Kettle

Beaches

Seven Mile Beach

Cayman Kai Beach Resort

Red Sail Sports

 The "middle" island of the Cayman Brac was given the name Brac (Garlid for bluff). The island was given the name Brac (Gaelic for bluff) by 17th century Scottish fishers who settled here. Caymans refer to the island simply as Brac, and its 1,400 inhabitants, a hospitable bunch of people, are called Brackers. The island is about 89 miles east of Grand Cayman.

There are more than 170 caves honeycombing the limestone heights of the island. Some of the caves are at the bluff’s foot, whereas others can be reached only by climbing over jagged limestone rock. One of the biggest is Great Cave, which has a number of chambers. Harmless fruit bats cling to the roofs of the caverns.

You won’t see many people on the south side of the bluff; the only sounds are the sea crashing against the lava-like shore. The islanders must have green thumbs, as attested too by the variety of flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees in many of the yards. On the Cayman island you’ll see poinciana trees, bougainvillea, Cayman orchids, croton, hibiscus, aloe, sea grapes, cactus and coconut and cabbage palms. The gardeners grow cassava, pumpkins, breadfruit, yams and sweet potatoes.

There are no actual towns, only settlements, such as Stake Bay (the "capital", Spot Bay, the Creek, Tibbitts Turn, the Bight and West End., where the airport is located.

Getting Around

Flights from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac are operated by Cayman Airways. The airline uses relatively large 737 jets carrying 122 passengers each. There is an evening flight here, plus a morning return

Where to Stay

Brac Caribbean Beach Village

Brac Reef Beach Resort

Divi Tiara Beach Resort

Walton’s Mango Manor

Where to Dine

Captain’s Table

Beaches

Divi Tiara Beach Resort

Little Cayman is cigar shaped and has only about 40 permanent inhabitants; it is the smallest of the Cayman Islands. It is well known for fishing and diving; it offers the best bonefishing in the world.

There may still be pirate treasure buried on the island, but it’s in the dense interior of what is now the largest bird sanctuary in the Caribbean. It has the largest population of rock iguanas in the entire Caribbean. It is also home to one of the oldest species of reptiles in the New World - the tree-climbing Anulis maynardi. This rare lizard is difficult to spot, however, because the females are green, the males brown and, as such, they blend into local vegetation.

Blossom Village is the island’s capital and is on the southwest coast. The entire island is coral and sand.

Getting Around

Most visitors fly from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman.

Where to Stay

Little Cayman Beach Resort

Pirates Point Resort, Ltd.

Where to Dine

Birds of Paradise

The Hungry Iguana

Beaches