Cayman is a great jumping off spot for visiting other islands in the Caribbean. Cuba and Jamaica are only about a one hour flight away and Cayman's very own Sister Islands are even closer. Then there is Panama and Miami for shopping and Costa Rica to explore. Wherever you choose to go there is a lot to do in the area.
A major motivation to book a trip away is the phenomenon of ‘Rock Fever’, which many residents begin to feel after having been on-Island for more than three months. It is a feeling akin to claustrophobia, or an overwhelming desire for a change of scene. With that in mind, we present a list of places you can visit to get away for a week or a weekend. We start with resorts on Grand Cayman where you can take a brief “stay-cation.” Then it is on to the Sister Islands, before travelling further afield to Cuba, Jamaica, Costa Rica and elsewhere.
LOCAL WEEKEND DESTINATIONS Grand Cayman Cayman Villas Tel: (345) 945 4144 Email: reservations@caymanvillas.com A really nice option for residents, especially those with children, is to rent an apartment, cottage or villa on the beach here in Grand Cayman. Cayman Villas offers nicely decorated, come fully equipped and all you have to do is take food and drinks for the weekend! They must be rented for a two night minimum and many come with kayaks, snorkelling equipment, BBQs and games to entertain the kids. They have properties in North Side, Cayman Kai, on Seven Mile Beach and everywhere in between.
Cotton Tree 375 Conch Point Road, West Bay Tel: (345) 943 0700 Email: info@caymancottontree.com A boutique beachfront hotel, Cotton Tree is comprised of four stunning two-bedroom plantation-style cottages set in lush landscaping, steps away from the beach with a freshwater pool, yoga and spa pavilions, gym, gourmet kitchens, spa bathrooms, daily maid service, 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and a media library of books, music and DVDs. A minimum three night stay is required and they offer residents rates. The Reef Resort Colliers, East End Tel: (345) 947 3100 The location of this picturesque resort in East End makes it the perfect spot for relaxation. Combine this with being away from all the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Beach, and you are in a great spot for a “stay-cation”.
The Retreat at Lookout Bodden Town Tel: (345) 947 2386 Email: reservations@retreatlookout.com Historic Caymanian-owned quaint bed and breakfast featuring eight rooms nestled among 20 acres of fruit orchards, shade houses and tropical gardens.
THE SISTER ISLANDS Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are known as The Sister Islands and were actually discovered a few years earlier than Grand Cayman. If peace and tranquillity are what you desire, then look no further. The Sister Islands are known for their own unique identity and are an experience very different from that of Grand Cayman. These are the idyllic islands one dreams of escaping to when imagining the picturesque tropics. For a great website on the Sister Islands, visit www.itsyourstoexplore.com.
Each island offers something for everyone. Cayman Brac is the most easterly of the three. With a total land mass of 14 square miles, the Island is small enough to maintain a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere but big enough to have a plethora of hidden caves, winding trails and a unique cultural history. Little Cayman consists of 10 square miles of unspoiled surroundings with a grass runway for non-commercial planes to land on, small boutique-style dive lodges, resort bicycles to grab and potter about on and enormous blue iguanas sunning themselves on the dusty roads. There is no ferry service between the Islands so you’ll have to travel by air. Cayman Airways flies to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman several times daily (approximately US$132 return) via jet and express planes. Cayman Airways Tel: (345) 949 2311, ext. 2 www.caymanairways.com Contact for discounted day trips to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
CAYMAN BRAC Christopher Columbus sighted Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on the 10th of May 1503, on his second voyage to the New World. He named the Islands “Las Tortugas” (The Turtles) and claimed them for Spain. Eventually they came to be known as the Cayman Islands. Cayman Brac was a prominent home for pirates, known as the “Brethren of the Sea,” seeking a hiding place for stolen treasures. Of these swashbuckling pirates, the most famous one to roam the Island’s shores was Edward “Blackbeard” Teach. Legend has it that Blackbeard’s booty is still buried or hidden in a Cayman Brac cave. The Brac is the most easterly of the Cayman Islands. Cayman Brac (Gaelic for bluff), known for its charm, friendliness and the most dramatic scenery of the three Islands, is a great spot for couples or families. The small towns have names like West End, Watering Place, Cotton Tree Bay, Creek and Spot Bay. 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 features an international airport, boasts Cayman’s oldest museum and has the highest elevation of the three Islands at 152 feet. Things to do/points of interest: Museum, Cayman Brac Heritage House, parrot reserve, diving, fishing, rock climbing and exploring the bluff. Where to stay: There are a variety of places to stay, most offering special room and diving rates for residents. When shopping around to see what deals are on offer, be sure to check out the following:
The Alexander Hotel West End, Cayman Brac Tel: (345) 948 8222 or (800) 381 5094 Email: alexanderhotel@candw.ky The Alexander Hotel has 32 rooms and overlooks Salt Water Pond (an area of protected wetland that supports a wide variety of birds) and the ocean.
Brac Reef Beach Resort South Side, Cayman Brac Tel: (345) 948 1323 or (800) 594 0843 Email: info@bracreef.com A family-owned all-inclusive getaway located on four and a half acres of beachfront. Brac Reef caters to divers and non-divers and has a special rate for residents year-round. Carib Sands Beach Resort Tel: (345) 948 1121 or (866) 843 2722 Email: info@866thebrac.com One, two, three and four-bedroom apartments costing from US$130 to US$220 per night year round, depending on room size.
LITTLE CAYMAN Little Cayman was the site of the Cayman Islands’ first settlement, when turtle fishermen set up fishing camps in the 1600s. Raided by a Spanish privateer and abandoned in 1671, Little Cayman was not settled permanently until 1833, when a few families established Blossom Village. By the early 1900s, several hundred people lived on the Island, exporting phosphate ore, coconuts and marine rope. The smallest and least developed of the three Cayman Islands, Little Cayman is located 80 miles northeast of Grand Cayman. A nature lover’s dream, the Island consists of 10 square miles of unspoiled surroundings, including more than a dozen secluded beaches, numerous lagoons, mangrove forests, salt ponds 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 catering to all your underwater needs. Increasingly, visitors also come to enjoy the privacy, quiet and timeless beauty of the Island’s unspoiled natural splendour. Little Cayman also boasts a number of natural and cultural attractions. Venture to remote Point of Sand for a private swim or row out to tiny, deserted Owen Island to enjoy a view of nature in its most pristine form and truly ease the body and soul. Little Cayman is a very popular escape for individuals and families from Grand Cayman as it is so close, very friendly and completely relaxing. Things to do/points of interest: Diving, fishing, exploring, bicycling, beach picnics, bird watching.
Where To Stay Cayman Villas Tel: (345) 945 4144 Email: reservations@caymanvillas.com www.caymanvillas.com Cayman Villas have beautiful cottages on the beach for rent year round. Contact them for details.
Little Cayman Beach Resort Tel: (345) 948 1033 or (345) 948 0067 Toll Free: (800) 327 3835 Email: frontdesk@littlecayman.com Rooms range from CI$119–$213 depending on the time of year.
Paradise Villas Tel: (345) 948 0001 Email: iggy@candw.ky www.paradisevillas.com Features 12 one-bedroom, cute self-catering villas within 50 feet of the beach and with large oceanfront patios from CI$125 per night. The villas are air conditioned and equipped with a kitchenette. The Island’s well-stocked grocery store is a two minute walk away. There are bikes to tour the Island and siesta-friendly hammocks at the water’s edge. They have a fresh water pool, a dive company onsite to take you to the Bloody Bay Wall, and the poplular Hungry Iguana restaurant.
Southern Cross Club Tel: (619) 563 0017 Toll Free: (800) 899 2582 (CLUB) Email: info@southerncrossclub.com The casually sophisticated SCC hails as Little Cayman’s original resort, offering professional in-house diving and fishing operations. The property has an untraditional layout featuring 12 spacious beachfront bungalows surrounding the Club’s main building. The clubhouse features the main dining room which is a screened, open-air dining pavilion, and a thatched tiki bar around the freshwater pool. The year-round rate for Cayman residents, which includes three meals a day, is CI$150 per person per day. The resort has a policy of not allowing children under the age of ten.
OFF-ISLAND DESTINATIONS
It is a good idea to check the local newspapers for holiday-weekend charters. These charters can be excellent value and often take you to places like Costa Rica that you would otherwise have to catch a flight to Miami to get to. The local travel agents in this chapter also offer packages for trips. HAVANA, CUBA Due to the US embargo in place because of their Communist government, Cuba has been closed off to much of the world for the last 52 years. As a result, the Cubans have become experts in patching up and repairing what they own. There is no better example of this than the Cuban capital of Havana, which has been preserved as a 1960s time-capsule with huge American classic cars and decaying Spanish-style architecture. Music is a big part of Cuban life; the Island is the birthplace of much of Latin music and dance including the rumba, cha-cha and mambo (the precursor to salsa). Cubans are also famous for their art, prestigious opera and school of ballet. Things to do/points of interest: Take a walk around old Havana with its fascinating historic buildings, museums and churches. Tour the Partagas Cigar Factory to see the making of Cuba’s legendary cigars. Book a cabaret show at the Tropicana or Parisian, or take a taxi ride in an old American car to Ernest Hemingway’s house. Plaza Nueva (New Square), built as a popular alternative to Plaza de Armas, the military and government nerve center. Later called Plaza del Mercado (Market Square) as Havana’s commercial hub, Plaza Vieja was the site of executions, processions, bullfights, and fiestas - all witnessed by Havana’s wealthiest citizens, who looked on from their balconies. The original Carrara marble fountain surrounded by four dolphins was demolished in the 1930s when President Gerardo Machado (1871-1939) built an underground parking lot here. Today the square’s surrounding structures vary wildly in condition, though all of them are noteworthy. Other wonderful sites to discover: Museo Nacional de Belle Artes de Cuba and the Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana. Make certain to treat yourself to the infamous Cuban coffee in one of the historic plazas while admiring the architecture of this endearing city. Prices per person for a two-night package with airfare, 4-star hotel, breakfast, transfers, health insurance and taxes are in the region of CI$375 in low season and CI$420 in high season. Cayman Airways flies to Havana three days a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and often on a bank holiday Monday. The flight takes one hour. Foreigners’ passports are never stamped by Cuban immigration officers; instead they stamp the tourist visa that you must purchase at Cayman Airways before you fly (cost: US$20). Please also note that you will have to pay Cuban departure tax on leaving the country. The cost is CUC$25, equivalent to about US$30. Health insurance coverage is now mandatory for a trip to Cuba. You can either buy it once you arrive at the airport in Havana, where the wait time might well be a few hours, or you can purchase it from the only authorised company to sell it in Cayman (Latin World Travel Tel: (345) 945 2846/917 3790). The cost is CI$3 per day and every member of your party must purchase it, including infants. This insurance will cover you for any illness, accident or medical expenses incurred while in Cuba and includes transport, repatriation, liability insurance and the loss of your passport. Editor’s Note: Hiring a guide to take you around Havana is a great idea for many reasons, not least of which is that they will keep hagglers at bay. Walking around Havana can get exhausting if you don’t have a Cuban-looking, Spanish-speaking person with you, as you will constantly be bombarded with people asking to guide you, take you in a taxi or sell you cigars. For the last 14 years we have used Modesto Hernandez every time we have gone to Cuba. He speaks brilliant English, is a wonderful driver, has a great sense of humour, knows the place inside and out and is a huge addition to the trip. You can contact him directly on (53) 72024070 (home), (53) 52398697 (cell) or email: modestoplaya@yahoo.com. He can arrange special dinners, mountain trips and customised accommodations in a local bed and breakfast as well. Let him know we referred you, and mention to him any special interests you may have for touring.
JAMAICA Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, after Cuba and Hispaniola. It is approximately 146 miles long and varies from 22 to 51 miles in width. It is situated 100 miles west of Haiti, 90 miles south of Cuba and is 167 miles east of Grand Cayman. Annual must-see events include: Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival which is a 10 day festival featuring distinguished jazz musicians (www.ochoriosjazz.com). Another fantastic event is the Caribbean Fashion Week (www.caribbeanfashionweek.com) an international style extravaganza featuring the Caribbean’s hottest designers alongside premiere fashion names from around the globe. The airfare roundtrip is approximately US$329 via Cayman Airways.
Montego Bay, Jamaica Montego Bay is great for couples or families and offers gorgeous beaches, world-class golfing, historic homes and a rich cultural and musical heritage. Accommodation options include older, well-established luxury hotels, newer all-inclusive resorts and numerous small and intimate places. For reggae lovers, we recommend two fun music festivals which take place every year in the summer: Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Sunsplash www.reggaesumfest.com. Things to do/points of interest: The Rose Hall Estate, horseback riding, river rafting, golf, Dunn’s River Falls. Hotel Suggestions: Upscale: Ritz-Carlton and Half Moon Club. All inclusive resorts: Sandals, Beaches, Couples Resorts (www.couples.com) and Sunset Beach Resorts.
Blue Mountains, Jamaica These mountains are regularly covered in mist, giving them their bluish colour; the highest peak is quite a contrast from Grand Cayman at 7,402 feet, and you can take a seven mile hike to the summit. Due to the area’s humid and cooler environment, plant and bird life has thrived. Located on the eastern part of the island, it is home to the famous Blue Mountain Coffee and offers spectacular views and hiking trails. This is a romantic destination and hosts many weddings, honeymoons and spa getaways. Many Cayman residents love the fact that during the hot summer months in Cayman, the Blue Mountains offer a cool and refreshing getaway. We highly recommend Strawberry Hill (Tel: (876) 622 9009 or send an email to: reservations@islandoutpost.com) as a place to stay in the Blue Mountains for a few days. Located at 3,100ft above the city of Kingston, it has 12 cute gingerbread cottages interspersed among lush landscaping, a great restaurant, Aveda spa and lots of great walks in the vicinity. If you plan to go during July and August, a guided tour to Gordontown (all downhill) will be heavily overhung with ripe mangoes. Check Cayman Airways, as they offer special packages to Strawberry Hill. www.caymanairways.com.
Negril, Jamaica With its soft white sand beaches contrasting sharply with the crystal blue ocean, and rugged beautiful cliffs, Negril is not only visually spectacular but culturally rich as well. Although serene and calm during the day, the nightlife in Negril is bustling. The Negril Lighthouse, built in 1894, boasts breathtaking views of the coast. Only 25 minutes southeast of Negril, lies the unique Blue Hole Natural Mineral Spring. Jump into this invigorating top tourist spot, and take in the magical warm bubbling springs surrounded by the gorgeous grounds of flowers and plants. There is even a low-key restaurant onsite for lunch.
FLORIDA Orlando Although Walt Disney put Orlando on the map, it is not just Disney World that makes this city the capital of theme parks around the world. Favourite Disney parks include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Centre and MGM Studios. Other fun theme parks in the area include SeaWorld and Universal Studios (featuring the new Wizardly World of Harry Potter!), not to mention numerous waterparks which will delight children and adults alike. In addition, there are dozens more places of interest within the Orlando area, as well as good shopping and excellent restaurants for dining.
Miami A great getaway for weekend shopping and entertainment. Miami has a huge variety of areas to stay and visit, such as South Beach, Coconut Grove and Dadeland. Fantastic designer shopping can be located in Bal Harbour, Merrick Park in Coral Gables, or Lincoln Road in stylish South Beach. Make certain not to miss the walking tours of MiMo (Miami Modern) or Art Deco architecture. For the active beach going set, fun in Miami could take many forms: waterskiing in Biscayne Bay, volleyball on Miami Beach, or an afternoon windsurfing or kiteboarding (www.miamiandbeaches.com). Key Biscayne’s Crandon Beach Park has a carousel playground which is a big hit with the little ones. Other attractions include: Everglades Alligator Farm, Jungle Island to get close to the big cats, Zoo Miami or swim with the dolphins at Miami Seaquarium. Cayman Airways operates direct flights daily for approximately US$400 roundtrip.
FIVE TO SEVEN DAY BREAKS
COSTA RICA This small country is a nature and adventure lovers’ paradise, with mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests and winding rivers from coast to coast. We highly recommend Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort, where you can enjoy the natural hot springs in a jungle setting and have a magnificent view of Arenal Volcano, which is still active. Hardcore surfers also flock to the Pacific coast for great waves. The airfare is approximately US$700. Various flights are available with some connections via Miami, although Cayman travel agents frequently offer charter package tours over long weekends and especially over the four-day Easter holiday.
PANAMA While Panama is famous for the Panama Canal, this country’s natural attractions offer an irresistible allure to travellers. We recommend visiting Casco Viejo (Old City), with its Spanish colonial buildings and churches reminiscent of Old Havana, Cuba. Panama also offers great shopping for name brand clothing, electronics and housewares at fantastic prices. Flights are available with connections via Miami or Jamaica (approx. US$650). Some outdoor activities: bird watching, snorkelling and deep sea fishing.
CANCUN, MEXICO Cancun offers all the delights of breathtaking beaches, luxury hotels, restaurants and nightclubs for a fun-filled holiday. Adventure divers can explore the numerous underwater caves in the nearby cenotes. Above water, you can explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum or shop at one of a dozen malls, packed with name brand duty free shops at bargain prices. The airfare to Cancun is approximately US$600. There are daily flights via Miami. Things to do/points of interest: visit the nearby Mayan ruins, take the jungle tours, go horseback riding, cave diving, choose one of many water sports, Xcaret, Xel-ha, golfing, deep fishing, swimming with dolphins or bullfights.
OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
BAHAMAS With more than 700 islands, exploring all of the Bahamas could take years. We do recommend visiting Nassau, which exudes a special charm lent by a blend of Old World architecture and contemporary vitality. It also offers an array of restaurants, glitzy casinos and posh hotels, including the world-famous Atlantis Resort. Airfares are approximately US$460-$510. British Airways operates direct flights four times a week. Check www.ba.com for schedule.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS The lush green hills and sheltered waters attract sailors from around the world. The BVIs are not as crowded as some of the other Caribbean islands, so they are an excellent location for friends and families to get away from it all. For those who do enjoy a faster pace, bustling St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is just a quick ferry ride away. The airfare is approximately US$950, and it will take all day getting to Tortola from Cayman.
TURKS AND CAICOS The Turks and Caicos are covered with cactus and thorny acacia trees but they are fringed with exquisite beaches and several hundred miles of coral reef that keep the Turks and Caicos on the world’s top 10 dive list. Since it is also a highly coveted destination for luxury spas and exclusive villas and resorts, celebrity spotting is a popular pastime. The airfare is approximately US$550. Flights are available daily to Providenciales via Miami.
TRAVEL AGENTS & AIRLINES
Cayman Airways Tel: (345) 949 2311 www.caymanairways.com Direct flights to/from Grand Cayman to the Sister Islands, Cuba, La Cieba, Jamaica, Miami and New York with seasonal direct service to Chicago and Washington DC.
Cayman 123 Travel Tel: (345) 943 1238 Email: info.cayman123travel@candw.ky Specialises in: International travel, Cuba vacations, accommodations and cruises. Cayman Travel Services Ltd. Tel: (345) 949 5400 Email: info@caymantravel.ky Specialises in: Corporate travel, complete vacation packages, cruises, tours, etc.
Travel Pros Tel: (345) 949 8182 Email: ellen@travelproscayman.com Specialises in: International travel, cruises, complete group bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Pelican Trading Tel: (345) 943 7354 Email: info@pelicantrading.biz Pelican Trading offers travel insurance through Lloyd’s of London to individuals, families and companies for worldwide annual trips. Their travel policies provide protection against risks associated with travel, which include coverage for flight cancellation, delayed departure, flight disruption, medical, personal accident, baggage, money and travel document loss and more.

Copyright 2011 The Resident Magazine 2012. All rights reserved. Acorn Publishing Co, PO Box 31403, Grand Cayman KY1-1206, Cayman Islands, Tel: (345) 946 3200 Fax: (345) 946 2830 Email:info@acorn.ky
