|
About - Living in Cayman
Living Here
Cayman Islands' community
 Cayman is a unique place in the world and certainly within the Caribbean. It has the highest standard of living in the Caribbean and you will find it clean, harmonious and safe. The Caymanian people are educated and hospitable and are rightfully proud of their heritage and of the successful global financial centre that Cayman has become. With only about 52,000 people on Grand Cayman the community has a "small-town" feel, but with a difference. You will find that after a short time you will see people you know everywhere on the island. This leads to a very closely-knit community. With over 24,000 people in Cayman from other countries, your working experience will also provide you with an opportunity to meet, work and socialise with people from around the globe. The combined population forms a dynamic community, which leads to a multitude of opportunities in both professional and social clubs and activities.
Lifestyle
The pace of life in Cayman is more relaxed than most people will be familiar with. The work ethic remains strong, but people very much prioritise the personal and social aspects of their life. Weekends are usually spent outdoors on the beach, playing sports, or having barbecues with friends and families. The evenings are dark by 7:30pm in the Summer time, and 5:30pm in Winter. The restaurants are usually fairly busy seven nights a week, and there are numerous sports and social clubs that meet and train in the evenings. As the Cayman Islands are an all year round tourist resort, you will usually find there is something happening every night of the week, and there are numerous festivals, concerts and events throughout the year.
We have a two screen cinema that shows the latest Hollywood blockbusters, with new films opening every Wednesday.
There are several very well equipped gyms, and numerous tracks and playing fields across the island. Some of the more popular sports in Cayman include Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Squash, Gaelic Football (GAA), Field Hockey, Cycling, Running, Swimming, and Sailing.
The islands are famous for their coral reefs and diving, and even the amateur enthusiast can participate. You can rent or purchase diving or snorkelling equipment across the islands, and there are a large number of very reputable dive shops that provide PADI certification. It is highly recommend to spend a few days obtaining your open water diving licence when you arrive, so that you can enjoy the numerous world famous dive spots all around the island, at the weekend, or after work.
Entertainment/ Going Out
Most bars and some restaurants are open air, and those that aren’t are well air-conditioned to ensure your comfort and relaxation. The standard of food is truly excellent, and you will have no problem finding a new bar or restaurant to sample every week for your first few years here! Most bars and all restaurants close by 11:30pm, but some open late on a Thursday and Friday. It is against the law to serve alcohol after midnight on a Saturday, and all liquor stores must be closed by 7pm Monday to Saturday, and cannot open on a Sunday or public holiday.
You will find that casual is the order of the day in nearly all bars and restaurants on the island, with some notable exceptions! In keeping with the more laid back Caribbean culture, you will find most people dress in shorts and t-shirts, even when going out on a Friday night.
There are several night clubs and cocktail bars in Grand Cayman that are well worth getting dressed up for, and these usually open until 2:30am.
Sundays
All retail stores and businesses must close on a Sunday, with the exception of bars, restaurants, and some shops that cater for the tourist market. You will find that Saturday is a very busy day for shopping and running errands, but the supermarkets are open until 11pm, six days a week, allowing you to keep your Saturdays free if you wish. As Christianity is the most prominent faith in Cayman, Sundays are also a day of worship, rest, and relaxation with friends and family. The beaches are usually busier on Sunday than on other days, and many families in George Town take the opportunity to travel to Rum Point on the North Side, or to other scenic spots to picnic or enjoy the sun.
Suggested things to do when you arrive in Cayman
The Hyatt own and operate this relaxing paradise hideaway where you can relax on the beach, read a book or have a snooze in one of the many hammocks, snorkel in the crystal clear waters, enjoy a meal and a drink, play volleyball, or avail of the many water sports on offer. It is a great place to spend the day with friends or family, and never gets too packed. You can access Rum Point by boat across the North Sound or by car by driving over to the North side of the island.
- Evening Catamaran Sailing with Red Sail Sports
Red Sail Sports offer evening sails on their 65-foot catamarans. The sunset sail leaves at 6pm (from the Westin) and costs CI$15 for locals. You do need to call ahead and make a booking as these trips are very popular and dates vary according to season. The sail takes you out for a very relaxing 2 hour ride onto the North Sound (in winter) or along Seven-mile Beach (in summer), and includes light appetisers. Drinks are available from the bar
- Captain Marvin’s three stop snorkelling trip to Stingray City
Over the years Stingray City (written up in National Geographic) has become a major attraction for visitors to the Island. It is a wonderful experience standing in waist-deep water having nearly six-foot (in diameter) stingrays rubbing your legs and arms with their soft underbellies begging for their favourite food – squid – which you feed them by hand. Captain Marvin has been operating his boat service for over 60 years and operates one of the best trips to the Sandbar, including two snorkelling stops on route.
Enjoy a two and a half hour sunset evening cruise on this authentic replica Pirate Ship with food, drink, and music included. Only CI$25 for locals, but you should really book in advance. A great way to start your weekend!
The 65-acre site, just 45 minutes from George Town, is made up of woodland walking trails, 8 colour gardens, an undisturbed lake for wildlife, a heritage garden, floral garden, a visitors’ centre and a plant nursery. At the park you will see butterflies, birds, snakes, turtles, iguanas and a huge array of native plants and trees. There is also a blue iguana breeding programme. Queen Elizabeth officially opened the park on her visit to Cayman in February 1994.
This is the oldest known existing stone structure in the Cayman Islands. It was built in 1780 as a great house for the mariner, plantation owner and early settler William Eden. Pedro St. James historical site is located in Savannah, Grand Cayman and is open 9.30am – 5pm daily. The multi-media show starts on the hour from 10am to 4pm.
Boatswain's Beach, formerly know as the Turtle Farm, is one of the greatest success stories of an endangered species being raised in captivity. Since 1980 the farm has released 29,000 turtles back into the sea to help replenish the wild population. The farm is home to over 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred pounds each. Boatswain's Beach is a modern-day reminder of Cayman’s history: when Christopher Columbus first discovered the Islands in 1503 he named them “Las Tortugas” meaning “The Turtles”. According to legend there were so many turtles that the islands looked like they were covered with rocks.
- Friday night at the Ritz Carlton
The most exclusive place to be seen in Cayman is in the Ritz on a Friday night where the “beautiful people” get dressed up, order champagne and cocktails, and boogie the night away. A great reason to get dressed up, and you can often spot visiting celebrities including Orlando Bloom!
- Thursday night in Sapphire Cocktail Lounge
Voted one of the top cocktail bars in the world, this recently re-opened lounge on the West Bay Road is especially popular on Thursday nights when it opens late and hosts upcoming local DJs. The cocktail menu contains hundreds of speciality drinks from all over the world, with plenty of unique local treats!
- Dinner in Papagallos in West Bay
Put on your best clothes and brush up on your knowledge of fine wines so that you can truly appreciate this fantastic restaurant in West Bay. The menu is extensive, the food is first class, and the ambience is unrivalled!
- The Full Moon Party in Calico Jacks
Once a month, the beach bar beside Public Beach expands to include a dance floor, DJ box, and extra temporary bars as people flock to dance on the sand under the glow of the full moon. Make sure to bring your cooler with you for when the bar closes at midnight!
- Boogie Nights at the Wharf
The Wharf restaurant, just outside George Town, is the open air venue for this 70s/ 80s disco extravaganza on the last Friday of every month. Watch the restaurant staff feed the tarpons or simply dance the night away in this highly popular spot.
This site is made up of calcareous rock, one million years old, that has been blackened by fungus over time, leading to it being named Hell! There is a post office there where you can buy a postcard and mail it with the postmark HELL.
- Watch the sunset over food and drinks at Over the Edge
Watch the sun set as the tide laps beneath you in this famous Cayman bar over on the North side. A great place to get some food on your way back from Rum Point.
- Snorkelling off Cemetery Beach
A great spot to see the diversity of coral marine life just off the beach on Seven Mile as you approach West Bay.
- Volleyball on Public Beach
Organise for a few friends to play Volleyball on one of the many courts on Public Beach in Seven Mile, or simply turn up and join in the fun!
Experience one of the rarest sights in the world, an all-year-round bioluminescent bay, from your Kayak under the stars.
The Butterfly Farm consists of large meshed structures, which contain beautiful tropical landscaped gardens, waterfalls and ponds with Japanese fish. The atmosphere is tranquil, hypnotic music plays and hundreds of breathtaking butterflies from all over the world fly freely around.
- Sunday Brunch in the Westin
Treat yourself to a buffet breakfast prepared by some of the best chefs in Grand Cayman with something for every palate. Champagne is included in this three hour indulgence with fantastic views of Seven Mile Beach.
- Helicopter Ride over the island
A great way to explore the island, get a feel for its size, and to orient yourself is to take a helicopter ride with Jerome Begot. He owns and runs Cayman Islands Helicopters Tel: 943 4354.
Top
|
