Passport/Visa Requirements: All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Proof of sufficient funds and onward passage required. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
In addition to a US$25 departure fee for anyone age 12 and older, there is a US$16 passenger facilities charge for international visitors departing the Cayman Islands. Both fees are added to the cost of the airline ticket.
Population: 46,600.
Languages: English, Spanish (taught in schools)..
Predominant Religions: Christian..
Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Telephone Codes: 345, country code;
For More Information
Tourist OfficesCayman Islands: Cayman Islands Tourism Office, Regatta Office Park, Leeward 2, West Bay Road, Grand Cayman (mail address: P.O. Box 67, GT, Grand Cayman, B.W.I.). Phone 345-949-0623. Fax 345-949-4053. http://www.caymanislands.ky.
Canada: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, 2 Bloor St. W., Suite 700, Toronto, ON M4W 3R1. Phone 416-485-1550. Toll-free 800-263-5805. Fax 416-972-5071.
U.S.: Cayman Islands Tourism Office, Doral Center, 8300 N.W. 53rd St., Suite 103, Miami, FL 33166. Phone 305-599-9033. Fax 305-599-3766.
Embassies of the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are represented by the U.K.
Canada: British High Commission, 80 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7. Phone 613-237-1530. Fax 613-237-7980. http://www.britain-in-canada.org.
U.S.: Embassy of the United Kingdom, 3100 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20008. Phone 202-588-7800. Fax 202-588-7850. http://www.britainusa.com/consular/embassy/embassy.asp.
Foreign Embassies Serving the Cayman Islands
Canada: Canada is represented by its embassy in Jamaica: Canadian High Commission, 3 W. Kings House Road, Kingston 10, Phone 876-926-1500. Fax 876-511-3493. http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/jamaica/menu-e.asp.
U.S.: The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica has consular responsibility for the Cayman Islands: U.S. Embassy, Jamaica Mutual Life Center, Third Floor, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5. Phone 876-929-4850. Fax 876-935-6018. There is a consular agent in Grand Cayman who can provide limited assistance. The agency is located in the offices of Adventure Travel, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman. Phone 345-946-1611. Fax 345-945-1811.
Additional Reading
Far Tortuga by Peter Matthiessen (Random House). Written in the local patois, this eloquent novel recounts a voyage of Caymanian turtle fishermen through the Caribbean Sea.
Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas by Paul Humann and Ned Deloach (New World Publications). If you're at all curious about what you see underwater, this guide is a must-have. It is worth it for the pictures alone.
