going to the caymans.

[H.Agenda]

Where to stay, what to do, what not to do?


Thanks in advance!!!

 

[rettofly]

Where to stay, what to do, what not to do?


Thanks in advance!!!

Be sure to get Uncle Fidel to issue an overflight permit.

 

[LJ45]

Be sure to get Uncle Fidel to issue an overflight permit.

Or...go around if you are coming in from the west of the island

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Dive! If you don't dive, take a resort course then dive. If you don't want to do that, at least snorkel.

The West Bay side of the island is where all the action is and its where you will be able to walk from your accommodations to the bars, restaurants and shopping.

The East End side of the island is sparsely populated and where you would go to relax. You would also need a rental car.

I thought feeding the wild stingrays squid right out of the palm of your hand while standing in the North Sound was cool. The rays range from the size of your palm to huge.

Georgetown is where the big money shopping is but try to avoid that area when the cruise ships come in.

Enjoy! It's beautiful!

 

[MaxTorque]

+1 for StingRay City!

 

[H.Agenda]

thanks guys appreciate it! Looking fwd to it. I might look into charter boat fishing if its reasonably priced, but it probably won't be.

 

[Jetdriver69]

We go there 4 times a year, so here it goes. I stay at the Marriott cuz I am a points kind of guy. But if you ask nice, they will give you a room by the pool and the beach at the hotel is excellent. Drinks are way expensive, so bring your own and chill on the beach with a Cuban if that is your thing.

If you have a bunch of money to burn, you can rent a powerboat of different sizes from a couple of places on the island. I think I paid $500 for the day for a 26 footer with skis and tubes. You can go to Stingray City all you want and the gas is included.

Jetskis and parasailing ain't cheap, but fun to do. The hotel will help you with that for free.

If you snorkel, I highly recommend either driving yourself or catching one of the many white semi private buses that run up and down the main road to Hammerheads Bar and Grill. Each way is only 1 or 2 Carib dollars.

Anyway there is a freighter that broke apart during a hurricane that is only 200 yards off shore in about 20 ft of water that is cool to dive. We are never there long enough to scuba, so snorkeling it is. There are many large Tarpins that hang around the wreck and the diving platform that is just off the back deck of hammerheads.

If you are there long enough to scuba, there are many places close to shore or you can pay the big bucks for a guide.

There are many good places to eat, just look on Trip Advisors. Great place but can be pricey. Enjoy!

 

[H.Agenda]

Thank you jetdriver! If I'm gonna spend boat money I'd like to fish from one, but
From other islands I've visited the locals are pretty protective of jobs and their fish so I imagine will have to pay someone to do so.

Was curious if you have ever seen anyone spearfish off the shore? Maybe at that wreck? I free dive spearfish, (I'm not great but I amuse myself) and if they let me, that will probably be the cheapest entertainment I can find.

 

[SansPlane]

+1 for StingRay City!

What MT said.

 

[Jetdriver69]

Well the boat is without a driver, so it is all yours for the day.

I never seen anyone spearfish, but who is going to stop you.

There is some large snapper right in front of the Marriott near an artificial reef/breakwater. Sprinkle a hand full of old french fries in the water and you will be surrounded by them.

 

[H.Agenda]

A little trivia, Only "caymanians" are allowed to spearfish, in the Cayman Islands regardless if it's a spear gun or pole spear. I was disappointed to find out. The spearfishing must be incredible there. But there are no rules against hand fishing while snorkeling.

One more question taxi or rental car?

 

[Jetdriver69]

Depends on much you want to explore and if that includes drinking.

I usually get a rental at the place right across the road from the corporate terminal. You drive on the right side of the road, so be ready for that.

I use the white taxis to get to Hammerheads to snorkel because there is much beer and margarita drinking after diving. My company sort of frowns on DUI's.

As an alternative, the FBO will set up crew trans for you to and from the hotel.

Enjoy

 

[say again]

You all are making me want to go on a vacation trip for a few days!! I have a sh!tload of Marriott points to burn...

 

[Jetdriver69]

Sorry meant driving on left side of the road like the Brits.

Speaking of burning Marriott points, I torched almost 1 million for a 11 day family vacation to UK, France and Germany last year. My oldest was at the London School of Economics for a semester and we did the Euro tour.

Great fun especially when hotels were free!!!

 

[H.Agenda]

Would like to help the next guy that does a search for caymans and share some experiences so far...

I got a Cuban overflight permit through fltplan.com, it was way cheaper than my first offer from colt handling, the third party fees were about double and they were taking way to long to complete my paperwork due to a credit holdup even though I offered to pay up front.

Cuban overfly permit is 352.00 round trip and you just put it in the remarks of your flight plan.

Customs was polite and nice.

Everything here is 30%ish more expensive so far. I'm impressed at how urbanized a tiny Carribean island can be. I think largely unmolested free market economy is largely to thank for that. Didn't expect to see a bmw dealership.

 

[JettBoii]

Watch out for the chickens.

 

[Jetdriver69]

LOL! Hell ya, chickens everywhere, right on the side of the road. And big ass Iguanas in the trees.

We don't get the overflight as we are coming from Houston. Just fly to Cancun and hang a left.

 

[ghostrider64]

Watch out for the chickens.

I thought they took over Kauai, roosters everywhere.