Cayman Brac & Little Cayman
A tropical getaway!
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman continue to be two of the least developed, safest, and easily accessible tropical getaways in the western hemisphere. There are no fast food restaurants, no stretch limousines, no parasailing, virtually no crime and absolutely NO traffic jams!! Surrounded by crystal clear waters with and average 200ft visability year round and is a diver's paradise. The average temperature is 78F in the winter and 86F in the summer.
Real Estate
There are numerous Real Estate Companies on our islands, and an extensive range of lot sizes and locations are available. For those who just want to relax on our quiet, peaceful islands, deluxe condominiums are also available.
All dealings in real estate in the Cayman Islands are based on a registered land system. All land is identified and numbered; a public records sheet relating to it is kept at the Land Registry. Land titles in this system are thus guaranteed by the government, title insurance is unnecessary and real estate transactions can be carried out quickly and efficiently. ERA is the Sister Islands Realty specialist.
You may visit official website www.eraislandrealty.com or call 345-948-1700 for more information.
Language & Dialect
While the national language is English most of Caymanians speak in fast broken english with a island lilt. Visitors enjoy listening to native terms & colloquialisms which are both colorful and fun.
Here's a few examples and translations:
*Where are you? = We u is? *Who are your parents? = Who u fa? *Where are you going? = Wey una gine? *Look here please? = Look ya na? *What's happening? = Wha gine on? and one of our new personal favorite exclamations:........"Hinnng onnn!" (which loosely translated means "Hold on...the fun is about to start)
Time Zone
Eastern Standard Time is observed in the Cayman Islands, but there's no change for Daylight Savings. There are more fun things to do than change your clock!
Law Of The Land
The Cayman Islands law prohibits all forms of public nudity, including topless sunbathing. There are also other certain restrictions and prohibitions which are listed below.
Visitors Prohibited and Restricted Goods
- Any controlled or illegal drugs or utensils is prohibited..
Obscene publications and articles are prohibited.
Any goods or items depicting or bearing any reference to ganja (marijuana) or the plant is prohibited.
Counterfeit coins and notes.
Instruments and appliances for gambling.
Unless they are transit goods, the export of Lobster, Conch or conch meat in any form is prohibited.
The import and export of Turtles, turtle meat and other turtle products are prohibited.
Firearms, Ammunition, Bullet proof Vest and Gun powder are prohibited unless accompanied by an import permit and license signed by the Commissioner of Police.
Bows, pellet guns, catapults or other manually operated weapons which are capable of projecting arrows or other missiles are prohibited unless accompanied by an import permit and license signed by the Commissioner of Police.
.Spear guns, Hawaiian slings and parts etc. is prohibited.
.Any other goods that are prohibited under any other law or that may be prescribed by the Governor in Cabinet from time to time.
Royla Cayman Islands Police (RCIP)
The Royal Cayman Islands Police is committed to providing a first class service to the people of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and to ensure that the Sister Islands remain a peaceful place to live and visit.
Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay is in charge of the Police Stations in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. He is assisted by two Sergeants and fifteen Constables who are responsible for providing 24 hour community Service to our islands. On Little Cayman there are presently two Constables: Officer Coles and Officer Sheperd.
The Sister Islands Police officers work in close partnership with other agencies such as, Immigration and Customs. For enquiries and information visit
www.rcips.ky or call the RCIP (Brac) Secretary Ms. Venice Tatum at
345-948-0331. In Little Cayman call
345-948-0100.
Government
The Cayman Islands is a British dependency with a British Governor appointed by the UK Government. The 15
member Legislative Assembly is the only elected body, which also appoints the Leader of Government Business and four other Ministers to form the Cabinet.
The Sister Islands have two elected respresentatives. In the 2009 elections Mr. Moses Kirkconnell was voted first elected and The Honourable Mrs. Juliana O'Connor Connolly was second elected and is the Minister directly responsible for the Sister Islands.
For more information on Government Ministries, Departments and Services visit the official Cayman Islands
Government website:
www.gov.ky.
The Sister Islands are guided through the governance by District Commissioner Mr. Ernie Scott. Mr. Scott's office is in the District Administration Building which is located in Stake Bay.
The District Administration Building also houses various Government Departments including, Customs, Immigration, Planning, Treasury, Lands and Survey, Marketing and Promotions, Children and Family Services and Postal Services.
The mosquito research unit and the Library are located right next door. For more information call 345-948-2222.
Currency
The Cayman Islands dollar (CI$) is on a fixed exchange rate. $.80 CI equals $1.00 U.S. The U.S. dollar is accepted throughout the Cayman Islands at all stores and businesses. Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted thoughout the islands.
Our local bank is the Cayman National Bank (CNB) with branches in West End, Cayman Brac and in Little Cayman at Village Square in Blossom Village. CNB provides a wide range of banking services inluding online banking, international money transfers and credit card services. The staff are all experienced professionals who will assist you with all your banking needs. There is also one automated teller machine located on Cayman Brac at the bank building. In Little Cayman, Cayman National Bank Representatives visit twice a week to provide banking services, Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am - 2:30pm.
Immigration & Travel
Guest to our islands are required to present a valid passport and must complete an immigration form upon arrival. There are presently no direct international flights to or from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, however, scheduled flights to Grand Cayman are available on Cayman Airways, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica and British Airways. Inter-island travel is provided by Cayman Airways Express.
Telecommunications
The Brac and Little Cayman are serviced by a host of international telecommunication providers. If you are calling us internationally our area code is 1-345.
Mobile phone users can use the roaming facility or rent a unit from any of our local service providers. There is one Wireless Internet "hotspot" in Cayman Brac. This "hotspot" is located on the grounds of the Lime Office (formerly Cable and Wireless) in Stake Bay, next door to the District Administration Building. In Little Cayman there is one "hotspot" which is located at the Hungry Iguana next the airport.
For more telecommunication information call Lime at
345-948-2213 or visit
www.time4lime.com.
Local Internet Access
There are two internet outlets in Cayman Brac. One at the West End Post office, walking distance from the Gerrard Smith Airport and the other at the Cayman Brac Library which is adjacent to the District Administration Building, in Stake bay.
Postal Service
There are six Post Offices thoughout Cayman Brac and one at the Edward Bodden Airport in Little Cayman. For more information visit website
www.caymanpost.gov.ky or contact Manager, Mrs. Estelle Stillings at the West End Post Office, telephone 345-948-1422.
Religion
Caymanians have been traditionally religious people, for centuries therefore it comes as no surprise that there are over 15 churches on Cayman Brac and 1 on Little Cayman.
Various demonitations include; Baptist, Catholic, Holiness, Church of God, Seventh Day Adventist, Jewish
Health Services
Our Health Services Authority provides medical facilities through the Faith Hospital which is located in Stake Bay, Cayman Brac. This 18 bed facility features a modern inpatient unit, an operating theatre, maternity/delivery services, accident and emergency department, dental clinic, out patient clinics, pharmacy and a Public Health Department.
For more information you can visit
www.hsa.ky or in the Brac, call
345-948-2243 for information or appointments. In Little Cayman, there is a Medical office staffed by a full-timed nurse. A doctor from Faith Hospital visits the island every week. Call
345-948-0072 or
345-916-5395.
FIRE SERVICES
The Fire Department of our islands is called on to deal with a variety of incidents, such as aircraft accidents, fires, road accidents, situations requiring rescue techniques and fire prevention. Enforcement of safety standards. Enforcements of sections of the Building Code, Fire Code and other standards relating to the means of egress in buildings and general fire safety.
The department also plays a major role in Hurricane preparedness and also carry out rescue operations for any other emergencies if required.
There is one Fire Station is Cayman Brac, which is located adjacent to the airport, for in enquries or information call 345-948-1245 and one at the Little Cayman Airport, call 345-948-0011.