Cayman Islands Travel Basics

A little basic information that makes travel to the Cayman Islands easier

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The Cayman Islands are notable for their incredible snorkeling and diving, but there's plenty to consider before you even make it to the beautiful white sand beaches.

It's best to be aware of the customs and culture of the islands. The Cayman Islands are still heavily influenced by the British culture that colonized them. Therefore, many aspects of the culture are far more conservative than you might expect for a tropical island. Remember that public nudity is strictly forbidden, even on beaches. Play it safe by being a little more formal with your clothing than you might expect to be in the Caribbean.

Homosexual travelers may also want to consider that these islands came under file publicly in 1998 for refusing docking priviledges to a cruise ship of gay passengers. However, due to this problem, the British government declared that all of its Caribbean colonies could no longer have anti-homosexual laws in place, and homosexuality is now legal in the Cayman Islands.

Cayman Islands

The three Cayman Islands are fairly distinct from one another.

Grand Cayman, the largest island, is home to the majority of the country's population. It is known especially for its snorkeling and diving, but it also boasts a wealth of historical sites and the famed Seven Mile Beach. It is also home to George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. The most metropolitan of the trio, it is famed for its large amounts of offshore banking.

Cayman Brac is known for its incredible limestone bluffs, for which it got the name Brac. The island was once used by pirates; now with two off-shore shipwrecks, it is a popular spot for divers. Visitors also enjoy local museums and the lighthouse.

Little Cayman is barely developed, with a population of less than 170 people. Birders can see a large population of red footed booby birds, and iguanas may be more populous than people. You can truly get away from it all on this island, which is better known for the wildlife on the land than in the sea around it.

When planning your vacation, keep the personalities of these three Cayman Islands in mind.

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