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Travel FAQs: Myths & Facts
 Myth: I don’t need a passport to fly to the Cayman Islands if I’m a UK, US or Canadian citizen.
Everyone flying to the Cayman Islands, including children, must have a valid passport, and airlines will refuse to board passengers without one. Ask your travel agent to explain how to apply for a passport, or check your country’s foreign affairs website. US citizens can visit http://travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Canadian citizens can visit www.voyage.gc.ca. Whichever country you’re traveling from, make sure you apply for or renew your passport well in advance of any anticipated travel.
Fact: From the summer of 2008 on, cruise ship passengers from the US will need a passport.
Until then, travelers returning to the US from the Cayman Islands by sea must have government-issued photo identification and a document showing their US citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). If you’re planning a trip, make sure that you know whether or not you’ll need a passport, and give yourself plenty of time to get one.
Myth: No one needs a visa to enter the Cayman Islands.
Many visitors do not need a visa, including those from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Austria, France, Greece, and Germany. But please be aware that visas are required for visitors from some countries, so it is highly recommended that you check the Cayman Islands Immigration website to see if your country is included on the list that requires a visa, and apply well in advance of any planned trip.
Fact: The Cayman Islands has its own money
And it’s pretty, too! On the back of all notes there is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to reflect our bond to Britain, as well as the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms and Motto. The basic unit is the dollar, issued in notes with denominations of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1, and coins valued at 25 cents, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Since the Cayman dollar is tied to the US dollars (the exchange rate is CI$1.00 = US$1.25), US cash and travelers checks are accepted everywhere in the Cayman Islands.
Myth: I don’t need money – I’ll just sleep on the beach.
Cayman is not the pace to come without any funds at all. Visitors are not allowed to camp in the Cayman Islands – on the beach or anywhere else – and while there is some reasonably priced accommodation, there are no youth hostels. Plus, when you arrive you may be required to show immigration officers that you have a return ticket or a ticket to your next destination outside the Islands, and that you have enough funds for your stay in the Cayman Islands, or that a resident is sponsoring your visit.
Fact: There are two decompression chambers in the Cayman Islands
The Cayman government owns and operates two hospital – the main Cayman Islands Hospital located in George Town, Grand Cayman, and Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac, and both have privately run decompression chambers to treat dive related emergencies. In addition, there are a number of government district clinics, including one on Little Cayman. The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital is a private facility also located in George Town.
Myth: You will need to get vaccinations before you travel here?
Thankfully, the Cayman Islands are virtually free of tropical diseases and vaccinations are not mandatory to enter our islands. However, germs are notoriously rampant on airplanes and taking a regular flu shot before you travel might be a good precautionary measure .
Fact: There are no nude beaches in these islands.
Sorry, but Cayman Islands Law prohibits all forms of public nudity, including topless sunbathing. So there are no nude beaches and, in fact, many business places also request that you wear shoes and an appropriate cover-up before entering.
Myth: It’s OK to use drugs in the Cayman Islands
Authorities here will take action if you bring drugs into the islands or use them while you are here. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Cayman Islands are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Fact: There are actually four Cayman Islands.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are the three Cayman Islands. However, there is also a small, privately-owned, uninhabited island within the South Sound of Little Cayman. It’s called Owen’s Island and it can be reached by swimming or canoeing from the beach.
Myth: It won’t rain on my vacation.
Luckily for the flora and fauna on the island, it does rain occasionally, especially in May and October, the first and last months of the “rainy” season, otherwise these islands would be a barren waste. However, showers are usually brief, and the sky remains gloriously blue for most of the time.
Facts and Figures - sources:CIA - World Factbook, Cayman Islands Government Information Services
Geography of the Cayman Islands |
Location: |
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras - about 500 miles from Miami |
Geographic coordinates: |
19 30 N, 80 30 W |
Map references: |
Central America and the Caribbean |
Area: |
total:262 sq km
land: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative: |
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
Coastline: |
160 km |
Maritime claims: |
territorial sea:12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Climate: |
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) |
Terrain: |
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs |
Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:Caribbean Sea: 0 m
highest point: The Bluff, Cayman Brac: 43 m |
Natural resources: |
fish, tropical climate and clean beaches that promote tourism |
Land use: |
arable land:3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2001) |
Natural hazards: |
hurricanes (July to November), Northwesters (winter storms) |
Environment - current issues: |
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments or desalination. |
Cayman Islands: The People |
Population: |
44,270 (July 2005 est.) |
Age structure: |
0-14 years:21.1% (male 4,658/female 4,662)
15-64 years: 70.8% (male 15,284/female 16,050)
65 years and over: 8.2% (male 1,699/female 1,917) (2005 est.) |
Median age: |
total: 36.83 years
male: 36.48 years
female: 37.18 years (2005 est.) |
Population growth rate: |
2.64% (2005 est.) |
Birth rate: |
12.92 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
Death rate: |
4.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
Net migration rate: |
18.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2005 est.) |
Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.) |
Infant mortality rate: |
total:8.19 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.) |
Life expectancy at birth: |
total population:79.95 years
male: 77.33 years
female: 82.6 years (2005 est.) |
Total fertility rate: |
1.9 children born/woman (2005 est.) |
Nationality: |
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian |
Ethnic groups: |
Locals: mixed 50%, white 10%, black 10% | Foriegn nationals (expats) of various ethnic groups 30% |
Religions: |
Christianity - United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Islam, Judaism, Rastafarianism, Hinduism, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, Baha'i |
Languages: |
English is the official language, Spanish is often spoken, including foreign nationals from Cuba, Honduras, Dominican Republic and other latin countries. |
Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.) |
Government of the Cayman Islands |
Country name: |
conventional short form: Cayman Islands |
Dependency status: |
overseas territory of the UK |
Government type: |
British crown colony |
Capital: |
George Town |
Administrative divisions: |
8 districts; Creek, East End, Midland, George Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West Bay |
Independence: |
none (overseas territory of the UK) |
National holidays: |
Constitution Day, first Monday in July |
Constitution: |
1959, revised 1972 and 1992 |
Legal system: |
British common law and local statutes |
Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch: |
chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor: Stuart Jack
head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005)
cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor Leader of Government Business |
Legislative branch: |
unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held 2009)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1 |
Judicial branch: |
Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal |
Political parties and leaders: |
no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP [leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [leader Kurt TIBBETTS] |
International organization participation: |
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU |
Diplomatic representation in the US: |
none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Diplomatic representation from the US: |
none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Flag description: |
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto"HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS"
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Economy - overview: |
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. |
GDP: |
purchasing power parity - $1.391 billion (2004 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate: |
1.7% (2002 est.) |
GDP - per capita: |
purchasing power parity - $32,300 (2004 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.) |
Labor force: |
19,820 (1995) |
Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995) |
Unemployment rate: |
4.1% (1997) |
Population below poverty line: |
NA (2002 est.) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
2.8% (2002) |
Budget: |
revenues: $265.2 million
expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997) |
Agriculture - products: |
vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming |
Industries: |
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture |
Electricity - production: |
410.8 million kWh (2002) |
Electricity - production |
fossil fuel: 100% |
Electricity - consumption: |
382.1 million kWh (2002) |
Oil - consumption: |
2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
Exports: |
$1.2 million (1999) |
Exports - commodities: |
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods |
Exports - partners: |
mostly US |
Imports: |
$457.4 million (1999) |
Imports - commodities: |
foodstuffs, manufactured goods |
Imports - partners: |
US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan |
Debt - external: |
$70 million (1996) |
Economic aid - recipient: |
NA |
Currency code: |
(KYD) CI$ |
Exchange rates: |
Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) |
Cayman Islands Communications |
Telephones - main lines in use: |
38,000 (2002) |
Telephones - mobile cellular: |
17,000 (2002) |
Telephone system: |
general assessment: reasonably good system
domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003 reflected in falling prices and improving services
international: country code - 1-345; 2 submarine fiber optic cables (Maya-1, Cayman-Jamaica); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
Radio stations: |
AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (2005) |
Radios: |
36,000 (1997) |
Television broadcast stations: |
4 with cable system (2005) |
Televisions: |
7,000 (1997) |
Internet country code: |
.ky |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): |
16 (2000) |
Internet users: |
9,909 (2003) |
Cayman Islands Transportation System |
Highways: |
total: 785 km
paved: 785 km (2000) |
Ports and harbors: |
Cayman Brac, George Town |
Merchant marine: |
total: 129 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,827,837 GRT/4,555,974 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 29, cargo 12, chemical tanker 39, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 28, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 126 (Denmark 1, Germany 14, Greece 20, Italy 12, Norway 1, Philippines 1, Sweden 13, Switzerland 11, United Kingdom 9, United States 44) (2005) |
Airports: |
3 (2005 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways: |
total: 2 (Owen Roberts Internation Airport; Grand Cayman - Gerrard-Smith Airport; Cayman Brac)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 1 (Little Cayman Airport)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Military branches: |
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force |
Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of the UK |
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