Travel Tips |
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Research is an important ingredient to a hassle-free vacation because it will help you know how to greet residents, what clothes to pack, what gadgets to bring or what behaviors to avoid. Throwing your trash anywhere, for example, might get you into trouble because residents are eager to keep the Cayman Islands clean. Not knowing basic cultural practices might also result in unnecessary hassles that could waste your time and energy. Carefully read the travel tips below to live your dream Cayman Islands vacation! Bring an Insect Repellent – Mosquitoes, which wander around for only fifteen minutes during sunset, are not a problem during the day in the Cayman Islands. However, if you want to sit out to watch sunset you may want to bring some repellent. Mosquitoes can also become a bother after a significant summer rainfall. Dress Appropriately– Wear swimsuits, flipflops and sundresses only at the beach. You are only allowed to enter establishments like banks, restaurants and shops if you are wearing shoes and decent clothing. In places where the atmosphere is formal, wear something classy. Don’t Haggle – There is only a slim chance a vendor will give in to your haggling because in the Cayman Islands products are already free from sales tax. Duty free items are also cheaper here than in other markets because there is no import duty on them to pass on to you. You may be able to get a modest discount on jewelry, but other items and souvenirs are priced at their selling point. Car Rental – The Cayman Islands is easier to navigate if you rent a car. This particularly applies to stay-over tourists who want to visit the more secluded places of the island. This way, you can also bring your beach gear to relax on any of our spectacular beaches. Don’t Touch Underwater Creatures– Scuba diving and snorkeling allow you to witness and take photos of the beauty of different marine life forms. Touching them, however, is prohibited, as this can cause them to stop growing or worse, die altogether. Return Your Catch– In the Cayman Islands, tourists are asked to return their catch into the sea as a conservation effort. Fish numbers are maintained at a healthy level this way, and this is one of the reasons why fishing tourism in the Cayman Islands is so popular.
Internet and E-mail -If you need to be connected with officemates or friends, you can access the internet at many shopping areas along Seven Mile Beach. Wireless connections can be found in cafes and coffee shops around the island as well as in many of the tourist shops in the downtown duty free shopping area in George Town.
Taxed Accommodations – In the Cayman Islands, the government collects a 10% surcharge on accommodation rentals which is added to your room rate. Some hotels charge an additional resort tax, which is different from the room surcharge. Ask the receptionist if the price you are paying already includes room tax so that you won’t be surprised when you pay the bill. Traveling with Disabilities –If you are traveling with a disabled person, it's advisable to limit your vacation to Grand Cayman. The sister islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are for the adventurous and do not currently have extensive disability infrastructure. Call the hotel reservation office before you arrive for a visit to make sure that your needs are addressed.
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George Town
