See more pictures - Here
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Tour Operators
Many US and Canadian wholesalers and a handful of tour operators (UK and Europe) offer the Cayman Islands in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public via travel agents. We are currently researching the best options.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to the Cayman Islands to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
| | CaribtoursA lovely company that has not diluted its high standards of personal service for the sake of profit; excellent brochure; fairly priced holidays. Strong following of repeat clients, some famous, some infamous and others simply seeking consistently reliable service and value for money. |
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Tourist Information
For information you can write to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Regatta Business Park, Leeward Two, West Bay, George Town, Grand Cayman, British West Indies, t 949 0623.
There is an information desk in the Arrivals Hall of the airport and at the cruise ship terminal when a ship is in town. You will find many publications and leaflets on offer there and at your hotel.
Overseas, information can be obtained from the following addresses -
Canada
Earl B Smith Travel Marketing Consultants, 234 Eglington Av East, Suite 306, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1K5, t 416 485 1550
UK
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, 6 Arlington St, London SW1A 1RE, 020 7491 7771
USA
3 Park Ave, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10016, t 212 889 9009
Suite 920, One Lincoln Centre, Butterfield Rd, Chicago, IL 60181, t 630 705 0650
Trenton Bldg, 8300 NW 53rd St, Miami, FL 33166, t 305 599 9033
Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner, Suite 1335, Houston, TX 77024, t 713 461 1317
Please see below for a promotional video of the Cayman Islands.
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Weather
The year divides into two seasons, the winter dry season which lasts from November to April and the wet season, which runs from around mid May through to October. No point on Cayman rises to more that 140ft and so they do not have the rainfall of some of the other Caribbean islands, but May and October are traditionally the highest months for rainfall. In the summer months it is not unusual to have brief afternoon or morning showers. The average temperature in the winter is 75° Fahrenheit and in the summer 85° degrees. The seasonal trade winds in the region help to make the temperature more comfortable.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on 1st June and ends on 30th November. Direct hits are rare but in September 2004, Grand Cayman suffered one of the worst hurricanes in its history, Hurricane Ivan, which caused massive damage across the island. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel. Lightweight cotton is the best clothing, with elegant/casual attire for evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. At Christmas and New Year people tend to dress up more and the most exclusive establishments may request a jacket and tie. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings (Jan/Feb) sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
The Cayman Islands are usually well stocked with general batteries, but do not depend on there being camera film or batteries in Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. Also, bring an electrical adapter and you may want to bring a small torch. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in their original packaging for clear identification by customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Cayman Islands Island Guide. Contributions came from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism with www.fotoseeker.com.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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