On vacation in the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are the most prosperous islands in the Caribbean chain with an average income of around $ 35,000. The island chain consists of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.
The prosperity of the Cayman Islands comes from the distinction of having more than 500 international banking institutions and more than 25,000 registered companies located on its shores. The Cayman Islands do not have the actual land mass to house 25,000 businesses, instead they have a unique registration system that allows businesses to legally register by paying a fee and then hanging the businesses plaque on the wall of a building. governmental. It’s no wonder the Cayman Islands are a haven for overseas investments that provide lucrative tax havens.
Most vacationers in the Cayman Islands are not interested in tax shelters, they come for the water sports, beaches, and family accommodations. Make no mistake about it, water sports are king in the Caymans. The deepest water in the Caribbean is found here, and diving enthusiasts from around the world flock to the Caymans every year.
The largest and most popular tourist island is Grand Cayman, which is home to most hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. The smaller islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman have a small local population, limited accommodations, and restaurants. What they do offer is a more secluded vacation spot with less crowded beaches, limited accommodation, excellent diving and snorkeling, local cuisine, and the opportunity to have more contact with the local population. The inhabitants of these two islands feel that their older sister island has too many people, hotels and traffic.
Most of the hotels in Grand Cayman are located on the famous seven mile beach. This island offers the best in accommodation, restaurants and a variety of nightlife, activities and the best beach on the island. The seven-mile beach is also home to many villas and condos, making the island a destination for families and long-term vacationers.
Americans won’t eat well in Grand Cayman any differently than their hometown. Food on the island is heavily influenced by the United States. You can find great gourmet restaurants all over the island, fast food burgers, and lots of pizza.
Now if you are looking for an island with lots of tropical flowers and colors, you might be disappointed. The Caymans do not rain much and the island is covered with mangroves, many cacti and lizards. The beauty of the Caymans is in the water. The Cayman Islands have very strict laws regarding the protection of the coral reef system, and the waters around the island are some of the most pristine in the Caribbean. Whether diving or snorkeling, you can see an abundance of tropical fish and the wonderful azure blue waters.
It’s fairly easy to get around Grand Cayman, but expect traffic and remember to drive on the left. Interesting places to visit include Turtle Farm, Stingray City, and the City of Hell.
The Turtle Farm is located on the north shore of Grand Cayman. Here you will find a first-class research station and breeding farm. This is one of the few places in the Caribbean where visitors can see these ancient giants up close. The huge green sea turtles are about six feet long and weigh up to 600 pounds. Even those who are not usually impressed by turtles will find the Turtle Farm of interest and get some great photos.
Stingray City is home to some of the friendliest stingrays you will ever find. It’s hard to tell who is having more fun, the tourist or the stingrays. As soon as the tour boat stops, the stripes immediately appear around the area. Stingrays are used to being fed, so if you plan to interact with them in the water, prepare yourself with food, preferably squid. It’s pretty overwhelming to find a stingray hovering all over your body looking for food. They do not bite, but leave little “hickey” marks.
One of the most favorite cities is hell, and the favorite destination here is the post office. Everybody wants to send a sealed postcard from hell. The city sits on a jagged rock, looks pretty desolate, and there aren’t many photo opportunities here.
The locals are quite friendly, always helpful and quite formal in their greetings. The local population is a mix of African and European descent, and one of the most interesting attributes of the local black population is their reddish hair. Local codes prohibit naked bathing and visitors are not allowed to walk around town in a bathing suit. The islanders take their environment very seriously and expect visitors to respect their reefs, waterways and beaches. Visitors found taking or harming corals or fish will not be treated kindly by local officials.
Overall, the Cayman Islands are a great destination for water sports enthusiasts, families, and beach lovers.