Sister Islands

St. James Castle, Tel: (345) 947 3329. It was the venue for not only the decision in 1831 to form the Cayman Island’s first elected parliament but also the announcement in 1835 that slavery had ended in the British Empire. SEE AD PAGE 387 Visit the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (Tel: (345) 947 9462), Cayman’s only botanical garden, opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself in 1994, and home to an incredible variety of local flora, fauna and wildlife. Or the Island’s oldest surviving public structure:

The Cayman Islands National Museum, Tel: (345) 949 8368. For more information on activities and things to do in Cayman, flip to our Activities for Adults chapter.

THE SISTER ISLANDS If peace and tranquillity are what you desire, then look no further than Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Affectionately known as the Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are known for their own unique identities offering an experience very different from that of Grand Cayman. There is no ferry service between the Islands, so you’ll have to travel by air or a private boat charter. For accommodation, car rental or additional information on the Sister Islands, visit www.explorecayman. com or www.itsyourstoexplore.com.

CAYMAN BRAC The Brac, which is Gaelic for bluff, is known for its charm, friendliness and its dramatic scenery. A haven for a multitude of bird species, Cayman Brac has a parrot reserve created by the National Trust of the Cayman Islands. It also boasts the Cayman Islands’ oldest museum and the highest elevation of the three Islands at 152ft high.

Sights & Activities Explore the Cayman Brac Museum, the Cayman Brac Heritage House, the parrot reserve, the wreck of the Captain Keith Tibbetts, the caves and the bluff or go fishing or bicycling. For a more in-depth expedition, free guided tours of the Island are offered by the District Administration with trained local guides. Tours are available Monday-Friday; however they do not provide transportation. Contact (345) 948 2222 for details and bookings. Small group diving can be arranged through the Brac Scuba Shack, Tel: (345) 925 3215 or email: info@bracscubashack.com. If you need a rest after all that activity, then The Beach Spa offers a range of spa treatments and can come to your hotel or home. Call (345) 925 2772 or email: info@bracbeachspa.com. Rock Iguana Ltd. is the first rock climbing and adventure tourism company in the Cayman Islands. They offer rock climbing and rappelling tours suitable for all levels of skill. Call (345) 936 2722 or email: info@ climb.ky.

Where To Stay There are a variety of places to stay, most offering special room and diving rates for residents.

Brac Caribbean Beach Village www.braccaribbean.ky Offers two-bedroom oceanfront condos.

Carib Sands Beach Resort www.caribsands.com Carib Sands offers one, two and threebedroom condos.

Cayman Brac Beach Resort www.caymanbracbeachresort.com Located on the beachfront, the resort caters largely to divers but has special non-diver rates for residents generally available within 30 days of your desired stay. Their restaurant is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.

Le Soleil D’Or www.lesoleildor.com Offers beautiful beach cottages with farm-totable room service.

Kings Point www.kingspointcayman.com Ocean front condos with bluff to sea views.

How To Get Around Every resort offers free bicycles which can be used whenever you want, however, it is quite nice to spend a day or two really exploring. Options for car hire include: B&S Motor Ventures (Tel: (345) 948 1646), C.B. Rent-A-Car (Tel: (345) 948 2424) or Four D’s (Tel: (345) 948 1599). For car rentals, you need to be 25 years or older and have a valid driver’s licence. Scooters

can be rented from Electra Mobility Scooters (www.electra.ky). For scooter rentals, you need to be 17 years or older.

LITTLE CAYMAN Little Cayman is the smallest and least developed of the three Islands. A nature lover’s dream, the Island consists of 10 square miles of unspoiled surroundings, including more than a dozen secluded beaches, numerous lagoons and tropical forests strewn with orchids. Today, the Island is most commonly known in the diving community as the “Mecca of the Caribbean”. Bloody Bay Marine Park draws the majority of visitors to the Island and most of the resorts have their own dive centres.

Visitors also come to enjoy the privacy as well as the quiet and timeless beauty of the Island’s unspoiled natural splendour. Venture to the remote Point of Sand for a private swim or snorkel and row out to the tiny, deserted Owen Island to enjoy nature in its most pristine form. Rent a scooter, which some Little Cayman experts say is the best way to see the Island’s charm and ride out to the quaint Island-style drink stand on the eastern end.

Sights & Activities From bird watching, bicycling, beach picnics and sun bathing to exploring, diving, fishing and observing the enormous Sister Island rock iguanas, there are a lot of things to do on such a small island. To unwind, contact The Little Cayman Spa

at Little Cayman Beach Resort on (345) 948 1033 for spa treatments and a wide range of spa offerings.

How To Get Around To hire a car, contact Little Cayman Car Rentals at (345) 948 1000. For scooter

rental, call Scooten! Scooters! at (345) 916 4971 or visit www.scootenscooters. com. Scooten! Scooters! are only open November through June. You need to have a valid driver’s licence and be 22 years or older to rent a vehicle or 18 years or older to rent a scooter.

Where To Stay

Cayman Villas www.caymanvillas.com Cayman Villas offers a selection of beachfront condos and private villas for short term vacation rentals. Many of the villas come with great amenities, and some include bicycles and/or kayaks and paddleboards.

Little Cayman Beach Resort www.littlecayman.com With 12 ocean front rooms and 28 pool view rooms, the Little Cayman Beach Resort can host both diving enthusiasts and non-divers.

Paradise Villas Tel: (345) 948 0001 Email: reservations@paradisevillas.com 12 ocean front villas near the airstrip, Hungry Iguana restaurant on site, and diving offered with Conch Club Divers.

Pirates Point Resort Tel: (345) 948 1010 Email: info@piratespointresort.com All-inclusive dive resort with an award winning restaurant. Over 30 years excelling in great service. Dive in small, guided groups with unlimited bottom times.

Southern Cross Club Tel: (345) 948 1099 www.southerncrossclub.com 14 beachfront cottages. The resident rate includes three meals a day, airport transfers, gratuity, diving and use of the resort’s facilities and kayaks, paddleboards and bikes.

OFF-ISLAND DESTINATIONS

Until off-Island travel resumes, it is difficult to say what international travel will look like. Globally, many countries have their own travel and border restrictions in place controlling inbound and outbound travel. A progress assessment will be carried out in January 2022 and pending the local and global COVID-19 climate, there will be a further relaxing of restrictions – no PCR testing and quarantine requirements – and a reopening to cruise tourism. However, this is also dependent on the percentage of the population that has been fully vaccinated. A target ratio of 80% may be necessary to achieve herd immunity.

In September of 2021, it was announced that phase four of the Cayman Islands border reopening plan would be delayed until early 2022. For an indefinite period, all returning travellers, despite vaccination status, must still request permission to travel inbound via TravelCayman.

All travellers must provide a negative upper-airway PCR test taken 72-hours prearrival; and, if unvaccinated, quarantine for a minimum of 14 days, either at home or at a government-led facility, and will only be released upon receiving a negative PCR COVID-19 test result. GPS tracking is required for all travellers quarantining, therefore all travellers who are quarantining at home or in a non-government facility will be equipped with track-and-trace Geofencing monitoring technology. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to have any visitors whilst in quarantine. Anyone found to be breaching these conditions may be subject to a fine and imprisonment. Also note that unvaccinated children (over the age of 5) returning from international travel are required to take a PCR test before returning to school.

As of July 2021, Government sponsored quarantine is only available to persons who have travelled for essential purposes. Nonessential travellers will have to fund their own isolation accommodation period.

The following destinations are now open for travellers, however please note that connecting flights from Cayman may be required. To stay up to date with the latest information on Cayman’s borders, please check www.exploregov.ky or www.caymanresident.com. We always recommend arranging trips through a local travel agent as they will have the most reliable and up-to-date information and can help with planning.

CARIBBEAN Havana, Cuba Havana has been preserved as a 1960s time capsule with American classic cars and Spanish-style architecture. Music and dance are a big part of Cuban culture. Cuba is also famous for their art, prestigious opera and school of ballet. Old Havana is fascinating with its historic buildings, museums, churches and Plaza Vieja, which was once the site of executions, processions, bullfights and fiestas. Handmade art can be found at the famous art market, Centro Cultural Almacenes de San Jose. Other sites to explore include: El Morro, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba and the Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana. Hiring a guide to take you around Havana is a great idea to get in-depth knowledge of the city. Visit www.cubacareotours.com. Cuba has plenty of top quality restaurants such as Café del Oriente and privately run restaurants, known as Paladars. Other great spots include La Guarida and Café Laurent.

Popular drinking establishments include famed author Ernest Hemingway’s favourite haunts, La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita. If you fancy some entertainment, book a cabaret show at the Tropicana or take in a flamenco show at Meson de la Flotta.

Jamaica Jamaica: the land of lush rainforests, Red Stripe, reggae and reefs. To the west lies the town of Negril, famed for its diving and snorkelling sites, shallow bays and aquamarine waters.

On the north coast, all-inclusive resorts, with British-colonial architecture, line the beaches of Montego Bay. Montego Bay’s vibrant nightlife appeals to those looking to socialise, while its tranquil waters, great diving scenery and serene resort–lined beaches attract those seeking to unwind. There is also a variety of Jamaican handicrafts and artwork at the open-air

craft market on Harbour Street. Sights and activities include the Rose Hall Estate, horse riding, river rafting, zipline canopy tours, golf and Dunn’s River Falls.

On the south east, in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, sits the Blue Mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often covered in mist, giving them a bluish colour which is how they got their name. The highest peak is 2,256m and you can take the seven-mile hike to the summit. These mountains offer spectacular views and hiking trails and are home to many plants, birds and the famous Blue Mountain Coffee Plantation.

We recommend staying at the Strawberry Hill Luxury Resort (www. strawberryhillhotel.com). Perched 3,100 feet on a mountain top, the property features 13 Georgian-styled rooms and cottages.

CENTRAL AMERICA Honduras Known as the centrepiece of Central America, Honduras is a vibrant country with clear turquoise waters, beautiful beaches, lush jungles and breathtaking mountains. Tour the ancient Mayan ruins of Copan, a UNESCO world heritage site, and enjoy scuba diving, white water rafting, zip lining, bird watching and mountain treks.

Accommodation options range from boutique hotels to eco-lodgings and yoga retreats. The Bay Islands are also incredible. Utila is renowned for year-round sightings of Whale Sharks and Roatán is well known for its pristine beaches, world-class dive sites and rich marine life.

Costa Rica This small country is a nature and adventure lover’s paradise with mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests and winding rivers. Visit the most picturesque waterfall in Costa Rica, the Llanos de Cortés, or white water rafting in the Turrialba area. Hardcore surfers also flock to the Pacific coast for great waves. USA Orlando, Florida Orlando is known as the capital of theme parks around the world featuring SeaWorld, Epcot, and Universal Studios. There are also numerous waterparks. Accommodation is spacious and affordable.

Miami, Florida There is lots to do in Miami! Fantastic designer clothing can be found at Bal Harbour, Merrick Park, Lincoln Road Mall or Aventura Mall – all are about 30 minutes from downtown Miami. Dolphin Mall and Sawgrass Mills, about an hour drive from Miami, are great for bargain shopping. Don’t miss out on the walking tours of MiMo (Miami Modern) or the Art Deco architecture. For the little ones, visit Crandon Beach Park, Jungle Island, the Miami Children’s Museum, or the Miami Seaquarium. For an off-the-beaten-track adventure, visit the Everglades and the Alligator Farm.

New York New York is a great option for a quick getaway with a different atmosphere. Popular attractions include Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island and the Empire State Building.

New Orleans, Louisiana Known for its energetic nightlife, vibrant live music scene, and amazing creole cuisine, New Orleans is perfect for everyone – from avid history lovers and Ghost busters to music lovers and revellers. Popular attractions include the Mississippi river, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and The French quarter – Bourbon Street, St. Louis Cathedral, LaLaurie Mansion and Café Du Monde to name a few.

Chicago, Illinois Visit the windy city of Chicago. Chicago is famous for their hot dogs, deep dish pizza, jazz music, amazing architecture and skyline. Top sights include: the Cloud Gate sculpture (The Bean), the Crown Fountain, the Navy Pier and Millennium Park. TRAVEL AGENTS & AIRLINES

Cayman Airways Corporate Office: (345) 949 8200 Reservations: (345) 949 2311 www.caymanairways.com

Cayman Travel Services Ltd. Tel: (345) 949 5400 www.caymantravel.ky Specialises in corporate and leisure travel.

Travel Pros Tel: (345) 949 8182 Email: info@travelproscayman.com Offers corporate, individual and group bookings, cruises, visa applications, tours and car rentals.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

CG BritCay BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, GT Tel: (345) 949 8699 Email: property_ky@cgcoralisle.com CG BritCay offers cost-effective travel insurance that covers the individual trip as well as convenient annual policies. CG BritCay delivers both professional and personalised services to protect your livelihood and lifestyle.

SEE AD PAGE 147

Caribbean Alliance Insurance 203 Alissta Towers, North Sound Road, GT Tel: (345) 949 9744 Email: aleisha.lalor@caribbeanalliance.com www.caribbeanalliance.com Travel policy plans include medical expenses, personal accident and lost baggage. Other products include: Home, Contents, Motor, Liability, Business and Marine. SEE AD PAGE 144

Cayman Travel Services Ltd. Tel: (345) 949 5400 They offer a comprehensive range of international travel medical insurance products.

Travel Pros Tel: (345) 949 8182 Email: info@travelproscayman.com Their travel insurance policies cover medical costs, emergency evacuation and more.