Cayman Islands Travel Guide

Cayman Islands — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Caribbean, south of Cuba, 770km (480 miles) southwest of Miami.
Language: English is the official language, with a distinctive ‘brogue’ reflecting heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors still distinguishing the speech of the Caymanian people. The number of Jamaican residents in the workforce means the Jamaican patois and accompanying heavier accent is also common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America and Cuba, is also widely spoken.
Area: 260 sq km (100 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 5.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.
Population: 47,900 (2008).
Population Density: 184 per sq km.
Capital City: George Town. Population: 35,527 (2006).
Government: British Crown Colony since 1670.
Head of Government: William McKeeva Bush since 2009.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Duncan Taylor, since January 2010.
Religion: Main Christian denominations.

Recent History

The United Democratic Party’s McKeeva Bush was defeated in the May 2005 general elections by the People's Progressive Movement, led by Kurt Tibbetts. Although the UK is officially responsible for the islands' foreign policy, the USA exerts a dominant influence over its Caribbean ‘back yard'. Both the US and British governments have expressed concerns about the exploitation of the islands for drug trafficking and associated money laundering.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +1 345. A system with pre-paid phonecards is available (www.cw.ky).

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.

Internet

There are many Internet cafes throughout the Cayman Islands and most hotels also offer Internet facilities. Wi-Fi Internet Access is available in some hotels.

Media

Post

Blue mail collection boxes are at key points around Grand Cayman. The main post office is on Edward Street and Cardinal Avenue, George Town (tel: 949 2474). There are various branches across the islands, including at the West Shore Center on West Bay Road. Stamps are available in most shops and hotels.Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0830-1130.

Press

• The Cayman Net News and Caymanian Compass are published daily.

Radio

• Private radio station Z-99 and government-owned Radio Cayman, which operates two networks.
• Other stations are CayRock 96.5, Heaven 97 (Christian), Rooster (country), Vibe FM 98.9 (reggae and pop), and ICCI-FM, run by journalism students.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
24 Jan National Heroes Day
9 Mar Ash Wednesday
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
16 May Discovery Day
13 Jun Queen’s Birthday
6 Jul Constitution Day
14 Nov Remembrance Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
25 Jan National Heroes Day
22 Feb Ash Wednesday
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
17 May Discovery Day
11 Jun * Queen’s Birthday
5 Jul Constitution Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
* Date to be confirmed.

Contact Information

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

P.O. Box 67, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands
Tel: + 1 (345) 949-0623.
Website: www.caymanislands.ky

Cayman Islands Government Office and Department of Tourism in the UK

6 Arlington Street, London SW1A 1RE, UK
Tel: (020) 7491 7772 (government office) or 7771 (Department of Tourism).
Website: www.caymanislands.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 0930-1730; Fri, 0900-1700.