Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
36
The Cayman Islands Dollar & the British Pound:
At the time of
this writing, CI$1 = 90p. Inversely stated, £1 is worth approximately
CI$1.10.
The Cayman Islands Dollar & the Canadian Dollar:
At the time
of this writing, CI$1 = C$1.50. I
nversely stated, C$1 is wor
th
approximately 66 Caymanian cents.
The C ayman I slands D ollar & the A ustralian D ollar:
A t the
time of this writing, CI$1 = A$1.80. I nversely stated, A$1 is wor th
approximately 55 Caymanian cents.
The Cayman Islands Dollar & the New Zealand Dollar:
At the
time of this writing, CI$1 = NZ$2. I nversely stated, NZ$1 is wor th
approximately 50 Caymanian cents.
Frommer's lists exact prices in the local curr ency; however, hotel
rates ar e quoted in US$ in this guide. The curr ency conv ersions
quoted above were correct at press time. However, rates fluctuate, so
before departing, consult a curr ency exchange website such as www .
oanda.com/convert/classic to check up-to-the-minute rates. Although
the rate between the CI$ and the US$ is permanently fixed as part of
an international banking agr eement, the ratios betw een the CI$ and
other currencies fluctuate, based on frequently changing financial and
political factors.
Warning:
B e aler t about which curr ency is being quoted at any
given time. H otels tend to quote their rates in U.S. dollars, while
restaurants, nightclubs, and gift shops tend to quote their prices in
Cayman Islands dollars. We do the same when quoting prices in this
guide. M isunderstanding the curr ency being quoted for any giv
2
en
transaction can be embarrassing and expensiv e.
It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vaca-
tion: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also
exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and
transportation to y our hotel befor e y ou leav e home, or withdraw
money upon arrival at an airport ATM.
In many international destinations, ATMs offer the best ex change
rates. Avoid exchanging money at commer cial exchange bureaus and
hotels, which often have the highest transaction fees.
The Cayman Islands are one of the most upmarket destinations in
the Caribbean, although prices ar en't as sky-high as on the F rench
island of St. Barts or the B ritish-affiliated island of Anguilla. N ever-
theless, a frugal traveler will do better in Puerto Rico or the Domini-
can Republic. The cost of living is about 20% higher in the Cayman
Islands than it is in the U nited States.
Brace y ourself for the high prices that r esorts charge. There is
almost nothing in the budget categor y. To giv e y ou an idea of the
