Frequently asked questions about the Cayman Islands

Q: Where are the Cayman Islands?
Q: Are the islands independent?
Q: What is the currency?
Q: What are the banking hours?
Q: When is Hurricane Season?
Q: What is the electrical voltage?
Q: Can you drink the water?
Q: What is the time difference?
Q: How do I get there?
Q: What can we do in the Cayman Islands?
Q: What is there to see?

Where are the Cayman Islands?
The 3 Islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are situated in the Western Caribbean about 150 miles south of Cuba, 480 miles southwest of Miami and 180 miles northwest of Jamaica.

Are the islands independent?
No. They are a British dependency with a British Governor appointed by the UK government.

What is the currency?
The Islands have their own currency, the Cayman Islands dollar (CI$). This is tied to the US$ and does not fluctuate. The cash exchange rate is CI$1.00=US$1.25. Both currencies are accepted on the 3 Islands, although you will invariably receive your change in CI$.

What are the banking hours?
All main banks are open from 9am – 4pm Monday –Thursday and to 4.30pm on Fridays. ATM machines are Island wide and all Credit Cards and Travelers checks are welcome.

When is hurricane season?
The hurricane season is from June – November. All major storms and hurricanes are closely monitored by the Government and ample warning will be given if and when necessary. All suggested procedures should be strictly followed.

What is the electrical voltage?
110 volts. The same as the US and Canada.

Can you drink the water?
Yes. There is city water which comes from our desalination plants, and is very safe to drink. Bottled water can be purchased island wide if required.

What is the time difference?
We are on Eastern Standard Time and do not observe daylight saving.

How do I get there?
Our national airline is Cayman Airways, which also flies to Cayman Brac. Cayman Airways Shuttle provides a frequent daily service to Little Cayman. Our main gateway is through Miami, although there is a direct flight via British Airways from Heathrow in London. Other airlines that provide us with a service are American Airlines, USair, Northwest, Delta, Continental, Air Jamaica and Air Canada.

What can we do in the Cayman Islands?
The diving in Cayman is the best in the world. There are many different trips you can book through a variety of extremely popular and competitive dive operators. Snorkeling is a great way to pass the time with frequent boat trips out to Stingray City, taking in Coral Garden and the Reef as part of the trip. You can also enjoy para-sailing, banana boat rides, jet skis, sailing, kayaks, horse-riding and many interesting nature trails.

What is there to see?
The Cayman Islands Museum is situated on the harbor front in Georgetown which provides a fascinating insight into the history of the Islands.

Pedro St. James is an original Plantation House, extensively modernized and offering a glorious tranquil setting with superb sea views, lush gardens and a ‘theatre’ style implementation of Cayman life and history.

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, is a great way to relax and enjoy the Islands fauna and flora. Many nature trails, delightful walks, serene atmosphere, tearooms, gift store and the chance to meet the blue Iguana and lots of Cayman Parrots.

The Butterfly Farm is close to the famous 7-mile beach, it has a great gift shop and a very interesting guided tour through the life of the Butterfly.

The worlds’ one and only Turtle Farm is situated on the north-west Point of Grand Cayman and is home to over 16,000 sea turtles.

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