Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Cayman I slands were granted independence fr om Britain in
1962. They remain a staunch member of the British Commonwealth,
and pr o-Anglo sentiment r uns high. I n the 1970s, thanks to their
growing role as a financial center and tourist destination, the Cayman
Islands made rapid development a fact of life. Today, Grand Cayman
is the condominium capital of the Caribbean and a major center of
the offshore financial industry.
It's been said that r esidents of the Cayman I slands fall into one of
three categories: for eign, mostly B ritish or N orth European workers
in the financial ser vice industries; for eign, mostly B ritish, U.S., or
Slavic E uropeans specializing in the hotel and r estaurant ser vice
industries; and the local indigenous Caymanians, the descendants of
fishermen, pirates, and traders, whose families hav
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e been on the
islands since the late 1700s, in some cases.
If you're a beach buff , you're in luck her e. For the most par t, the
sand on the Caymans is sugary white, the surf is warm and gentle, and
the colors ar e primarily aqua and tur quoise. Grand Cayman is cele-
brated for its magnificent stretch of white sands, known as Seven Mile
Beach, which is lined with hotels and condos. C rowding is rar ely a
problem on the beach, even with heavy cruise ship arrivals. To satisfy
your inner Robinson Crusoe, explore the many hidden coves, beauti-
ful sheltered bays, and expanses of coastline wher e you can flee the
crowds to find y our own paradise. The other islands, Cayman B rac
and Little Cayman, also have hidden beaches and coves.
When you tire of the beach—if that's possible—you'll find some of
the world 's best scuba diving and snor keling, fr om the plunge at
Bloody B ay Wall off Little Cayman to the calm waters and gentle
stingrays at Stingray City off Grand Cayman. The variety of dive sites,
the abundant marine life and clear waters, and some of the best scuba-
diving and snorkeling outfitters in the world make the Caymans a top
diving and snorkeling destination.
In addition to little div ers' inns, G rand Cayman has some of the
grandest resort hotels in the Caribbean, along with doz ens of beach-
front condos and timeshar es along Seven Mile Beach. The downside
is that there are few modest budget inns; the Caymans, for the most
part, remain an upmarket destination, doing little to attract the frugal
traveler, unlike such Caribbean countries as the Dominican Republic.
The Caymans offer excellent dining. The restaurants on the island
are diverse and inventive, and they often boast outstanding chefs. I n
addition to upscale dining spots, plenty of relatively affordable restau-
rants serving standard Cayman fare can be found.
While the nightlife scene has improved in recent years, don't expect
much. Sipping tropical punch in a bar r emains the preferred form of
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