Cayman Islands Overview

GENERAL

Capital

George Town (Grand Cayman).

Geography

The Cayman archipelago consists of the three islands Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac and is located 290 km northwest of Jamaica. The islands are the peaks of an underwater mountain range that extends from Cuba to the Gulf of Honduras. A large coral bank protects the east and west coasts. According to travelationary, Cayman Islands is a country in Central America.

Government

British crown colony with internal self-government since 1962. Constitution of 2009. The legislative council consists of 20 members, of which 18 are directly elected. The governor is responsible for foreign, security and defense policy. He also presides over the Executive Board, which consists of seven members (three members appointed by the governor and four members of the legislative council who are chosen by the governor). Head of Government:

Head of state

Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor Helen Kilpatrick, since September 2013.

Head of government

Alden McLaughlin, since May 2013.

Electricity

110 V, 60 Hz. Adapters are necessary because American flat plugs are widely used.

Time zone

Eastern Standard Time: CET -6

COMMUNICATION

Overview

Postage stamps are available in stores where postcards can be purchased. Hotel receptions accept letters for a tip of around US $ 1. Airmail shipments to Europe take around 4 weeks.

Phone

A modern telephone network connects the islands with all countries in the world through submarine cables and satellites. International direct dialing. There are card phones on all three islands. Phone cards are available for CI $ 10, CI $ 15, and CI $ 30 at the Cable & Wireless office in Anderson Square, Georgetown, the Cayman Brac Post Office, and gas stations.

Cellphone

TDMA network. Network operator is Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular (Internet: www.cwinternet.ky). Visitors with TDMA phones can make calls using a credit card without prior registration.

Internet

Internet provider is Cable & Wireless (Internet: www.cwinternet.ky). Internet cafes are common in the Cayman Islands. Many hotels also offer internet access.

Post Office

There is no delivery of mail to private addresses; instead, you collect your mail from numbered mailboxes. Poste restante items should be addressed to General Delivery. Opening times: Mo-Fr 8.30 a.m.-3.30 p.m., Sa 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

George Town offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities; the selection of shops and duty-free shops makes the city one of the best shopping centers in the Caribbean. Quality furniture and household items from the USA and Europe are on offer, as well as china, crystal glass, silverware, French perfumes, handicrafts and sculptures. Many luxury items and groceries are duty-free, but up to 20% duty is charged for other items.

Shop opening times:
Mon-Sat 9 am-5pm.

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

The night clubs on Grand Cayman offer entertainment programs with international artists and disco nights. At the weekend there are dance events in the hotels on Cayman Brac. There are two theaters and two open-air stages. Films are shown in some hotels.

CULINARY

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Almost all hotels are on the coast, the best known on Seven Mile Beach. Some hotels specialize in diving vacations. The large hotels (100 rooms) can mostly only be found on Grand Cayman. Prices are seasonal, in the high season in winter (from 15.12-15.4.) They are up to 50% higher. In some hotels, children under 12 can stay for free in summer. A room tax of 10% will be charged. In many hotels the service charge is already included in the bill. Information from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (see addresses).

Categories:
The spectrum ranges from luxurious first class hotels to tourist class hotels.

CULTURE

Religion

Mostly Church of God and United Church (including Presbyterians). Anglicans, Baptists, and other Protestants and Catholics.

Social rules of conduct

Etiquette: American and English manners influenced local traditions. You shake hands in greeting. Some surnames are so common that first names are often used when introducing them, e.g. B. Mr. Tom or Mr. Jim. Flowers are welcome gifts as a present upon arrival or as a gift when you are invited to dinner. Many families do not drink alcohol, so you should not give spirits as gifts.

Clothing: Casual wear is accepted almost everywhere, but swimwear belongs on the beach. “Topless” is not allowed.

Tip:
10-15% is common. The exact amounts or percentages are listed on the hotel and apartment bills. Restaurants add a service charge of 10-15% to the bill.

CLIMATE

Best travel time

Very warm and tropical all year round, trade winds bring cooling. Rainy season from May to October, the showers are usually short and heavy. Hurricane season from June to November.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +1 345 Area (sqkm) 260 Population 56,092 Population density (per sqkm) 216 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 911

Cayman Islands Overview