Where is Georgetown Cruise Port?
The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, and Grand Cayman is one of the most visited by cruise ships in the world. There is no cruise pier in the island's capital, Georgetown, so cruise ships anchor, and passengers are taken ashore by boats (tenders). Shallow waters and reefs do not allow big ships moor at coastal piers.
Routes, excursions, transport in the port of Georgetown
It is convenient to get around the island by taxi or minibus. Getting into a taxi costs $10, waiting is about $0.65 per minute. You can also rent a car.
At the pier, many local tour companies offer various options for tours around the island. Prices start from $20. We recommend Captain Marvins, Native Way Watersports and discountexcursions.com. The most popular excursion on the island is the stingray excursion. Cost from $30. Note! Grand Cayman sometimes has rough seas and disembarkation is not possible. Therefore, we advise you not to pay for the tour you are interested in in advance; it is better to just book it.
What to see in the vicinity of Georgetown
The most popular place among tourists is Turtle Farms. It is located 12 km from the port. Entrance - $18, swimming with turtles - $45. You can get there by minibus for $2.5 or by tourist taxi for $5. The minibus stop is located a block away on the square near the library.
In the eastern part of the island, in the town of Savannah, is located Pedro St. James Castle, which is one of the oldest defensive structures in the Caribbean. Open daily, from 9.00 to 17.00, ticket price for adults is $8, for children - $4.
In the north-west of the island, 13 km from the port, there is an array of jagged rocks - Hell. There are such formations on other islands, but only here they thought of making a whole attraction out of it. They opened souvenir shops, a post office, and hung posters with diabolical content. Here you can take a photo with the devil, buy a T-shirt with the inscription “I"ll see you in Hell” and send home a letter from Hell. You can get there by minibus for $2.
Georgetown Shopping and Cuisine
Popular local dishes include seafood ceviche, turtle steaks (despite the disappearance of turtles) and fried plantains. A lot of fruit is grown on the island. Homemade sweets are popular on the island. TO national drinks include tea and coffee, local beer, rum and various cocktails.
Georgetown has a huge number of duty-free shops, selling literally everything from emeralds to Cuban cigars and modern electronics. There are many tourist shops where you can buy T-shirts, hats, postcards and more. A popular souvenir is a variety of products made from green turtle shells. Shops are open from Monday to Thursday, from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00. On weekends, many stores operate according to their own schedule. Duty free shops are usually open until midnight. There is no sales season in the Cayman Islands, and bargaining is not accepted here, even in the markets.
Currency of Georgetown
The official currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). In the Cayman Islands, US dollars are accepted as payment in all establishments and shops. Credit cards are also accepted almost everywhere, and finding an ATM in the city is not difficult.
Where to stay before and after your cruise?
For a port stop before a cruise, try Airbnb, where you can rent a full-fledged apartment for the price of a hotel room. By registering using our link you will receive coupon for 2100 rub. for your first stay from RUB 4,500!
The liner sailed to the Cayman Islands, like to others, early in the morning, but unlike Jamaica or Bahamas, all liners anchor in the bay, and not at the pier, and from there passengers are dropped ashore in small boats. I thought it was a long and inconvenient procedure, but overall there was no queue.
Here, not only passengers get up like this, but also cargo ships.
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The exit from the liner was the first or zero deck
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Vessel name
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Handsome, fell in love with cruises, although before that he was indifferent to them
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I entered the city five minutes later, after disembarking from the liner. Georgetown felt more like the US than the neighboring islands, few blacks, cleaner and quieter (safer). The capital of the state has a population of 27 thousand people, which is two times less than my Torzhok.
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The area near the port is landscaped, but overall the city is quite nice.
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If you go deeper into literally one intersection, then administrative buildings begin
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Everyone parks carefully, no one gets on the pedestrian part of the road
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What is usually scarce on poor islands are monuments
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Sailors. The sign says something about tradition, but you can’t read it, it’s very small.
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Here you can fantasize about how a girl holds the world in her hands, but at the same time leaves the restaurant without paying the bill :)
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Peace Memorial, which will soon turn 100 years old. The watch is still cool.
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A little secret, if you want to go to the beaches or ride around the island cheaply, leave this square. If you land at the port, you can pay twice as much for services or just stand in line to leave. Here buses or taxis drive empty and in the same directions.
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Boat sculpture
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The islands are famous for the fact that there is a lot of money from different people and companies. One of the reasons why everything on the island is quite good and comfortable.
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Park, funny, small. And this is his sign
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All you can do here is sit in the shade if it’s hot and move on
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I didn’t have a specific goal and I was just walking, although everyone else was rushing either to the beach or shopping. I was just walking around not knowing the city and decided to find a place to go online
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Bright and beautiful graffiti
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There are many turns, but it’s hard to get lost
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I'll add some colors for brightness
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Sports car hidden behind a tarpaulin
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Boat on the rocks, good composition near the house
George Town - capital of the Cayman Islands
Tuesday 08 November 2011 - Port of George Town in the Cayman Islands and we dock in the British Overseas Territory of the West Indies, in the Caribbean.
History has not preserved for us the names of the original inhabitants of the Cayman Islands. The first European to see the shores of these low islands was Christopher Columbus, who in 1503 encountered entire flocks of sea turtles, which served as the source of the first name of the modern group of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman - Las Tortugas (Turtle Islands).
By the time of Francis Drake, who officially discovered Grand Cayman in 1586, the islands were already known as Caymanas (the Carib word for "crocodile"). Over the next century, the islands were used only by pirates and turtle hunters, and there was no permanent population until the 1660s, when several British army deserters fled here from Jamaica. In 1670, the islands became the property of the British crown, falling under the jurisdiction of the Jamaican administration.
Video visit of the islands:
Grand Cayman- the largest of the three Cayman Islands, on which the capital, Georgetown, is located. Area - 196 km².
Is an elevated reef, highest point which is 24 m above sea level. There are no natural springs on the island fresh water in the form of lakes, rivers, etc., so drinking water benefits from desalination sea water. The absence of rivers on Grand Cayman explains the exceptional transparency of the sea water washing the shores of the island.
Grand Cayman suffered significant damage from Tropical Storm Ivan, which lasted from September 11 to 12, 2004. Up to 80% of all structures on the island were destroyed.
A significant portion of Grand Cayman's population lives on west coast islands where the city of Georgetown is located and international Airport them. Owen Roberts.
The island's economy is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for up to 75% of the island's GDP. Grand Cayman has a large number of hotels. The coastal waters are rich in fish and reefs, making diving very popular.
In the West Bay district there is a farm for breeding green sea turtles, the meat of which is highly prized abroad. The Hell Limestone Formation is also located in this county.
One of the popular places on the island is the city of Stingray City, named after the stingray. This is due to the fact that a large number of individuals of this species of stingray live in the shallows located near the city.
The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory located in the West Indies, in the Caribbean Sea. The archipelago includes the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac and some uninhabited islands and reefs.
Total area – 264 sq. km, population is about 55,000 people, of which mulattoes make up 40%, whites – 20%, immigrants – 20%. Official language- English.
Capital, administrative center, the main port is the city of George Town, located on the island of Grand Cayman.
Cities of the Cayman Islands
The administrative center of the Cayman Islands and its main city is Georgetown - a city of contrasts. History, silence, unusual architecture and modernity, traffic, and duty-free shops coexist perfectly here.
In the cities of Savannah, Bodden and Northside you can study the life and customs local residents.
Little Cayman Island is famous for its picturesque landscapes, mangrove forests, egrets and other delights of nature. And the Bloody Pound National Bird Sanctuary is considered one of the largest colonies of red-footed boobies and frigate birds in the Western Hemisphere.
Cayman Island - Brak - the wildest in the archipelago, with nature of mesmerizing beauty, beach holiday and very hospitable locals.
How to get to the Cayman Islands
There are no direct flights between Belarus and the Cayman Islands.
You will have to fly with a connection in the UK or some other European country. For example, British Airways makes regular flights from Moscow to Grand Cayman via London (flight duration is about 20 hours, cost in both directions is about 1000 US dollars).
You can also get there through the USA, but in this case you will need a US transit visa.
To purchase air tickets to the Cayman Islands, please contact travel company“Thank you – travel.”
Climate of the Cayman Islands
The territory of the Cayman Islands is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate.
The average summer temperature here is +30 degrees, winter (from November to April) - +15 degrees.
Quantity annual precipitation- about 1300 mm. During the period from May to October there are intermittent rains and tropical hurricanes and storms are possible.
The best time to travel around the country is from mid-December to mid-April.
Cayman Islands hotels
The Cayman Islands hotel industry is classified according to the British system. In all hotels you will find landscaped areas, swimming pools, diving centers, beauty salons and even golf courses. Almost everywhere the all-inclusive system operates.
The apart-hotels provide babysitting services.
On the beaches of hotels belonging to world-famous chains, beach equipment is provided free of charge.
The average cost of a 5* hotel room is from 300 US dollars, 4* - from 200 US dollars, 2* - 3* - from 100 US dollars (the cost of services usually includes excursions and dives). From December to April is the peak tourist season and the most high prices, out of season, the cost of living is reduced by 20 - 25%.
Beaches of the Cayman Islands
The most best beaches Grand Cayman Islands are “Seven Mile Beach”, West Bay – Cemetery, Victoria Reef – House, Trinity – Caves area. Here White sand, clean sea, well-developed infrastructure and all conditions for activities have been created aquatic species sports - diving, snorkeling and others.
Scuba diving enthusiasts love to come to Smith Cove and South Sound Cemetery Beach.
But on the beaches of Lower Bay, East Point, Colliers Bay and Spotter Point there is rare black sand, picturesque landscapes and, of course, unforgettable diving.
The beaches of the Ram Point area are no less popular.
Little Cayman is famous for the beaches of its private island, Owen Island.
Cayman Island - Brak does not have a sufficiently developed infrastructure, but it is replete with extraordinary coral reefs and even coral gardens.
The smallest inhabited island of the archipelago, Cayman Brac, is the best for snorkeling.
Banks, money, exchange offices
The currency of the Cayman Islands is the local dollar, equal to 100 cents. There are paper bills in circulation in denominations of 1,5,10,25,50,100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1,5,10,25 cents. US dollars are accepted at most establishments.
Banking hours:
From Monday to Thursday – from 9.00 to 16.00
Fridays – from 9.00 to 16.30
Some – and on Saturdays – from 9.00 to 12.00 – 13.00
Currency can be exchanged in banks (the most favorable rate), hotels, and exchange offices. ATMs are located almost everywhere, but only credit cards of the Visa, Master Card and Cirrus systems can be cashed.
Credit cards from the world's major payment systems are accepted for payments in most hotels and tourist offices. However, in small establishments paying by bank transfer is very problematic.
You can cash travel checks at banks, travel agencies, large stores and hotels.
The Cayman Islands is a duty-free zone.
The cost of services is usually included in the invoice. If this is not done, a 10% tip is appreciated.
Tourist safety
The Cayman Islands are absolutely safe for tourists if they follow the basic rules:
- It is advisable to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe
- In crowded places, it is recommended to keep an eye on your belongings and not leave them unattended
- It is not recommended to change money from street money changers
- Before going outside, be sure to use sunscreen
- Camping is prohibited in the country
- Spearfishing is prohibited in the country
- Nudism and toplessness are prohibited in all parts of the country.
- You should enter business establishments and banks in business casual attire.
Domestic air transportation in Cayman is quite well developed and is carried out by carriers - Cayman Airways, Cayman Airways Express and Island Air.
To travel around the islands, it is best to use a taxi. Boarding costs $10, baggage costs $1.25, and waiting costs 65 cents per minute.
In order to rent a car, you will need the following documents:
- International driver's license(experience – at least 1 year, age – over 21 years)
- Credit card or cash
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
The main attractions of Georgetown are historical Center, Fort George fortress, National Museum and Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum, Elmslie Memorial Church, Legislative Building, National Gallery. In the vicinity of the city you can get acquainted with the life and customs of the local residents, with their way of life.
The city of Savannah is famous for the 18th century Pedro St. James Castle.
Not far from the town of Bodden are the famous Pirate Caves with their own legends and stories.
Hull is also a fairly well-known landmark on Grand Cayman - a massif of jagged outcrop rocks. But nearby there is a turtle farm - a favorite tourist spot.
Famous in the east of the island Botanical Garden Queen - Elizabeth 2 with a huge number of plants and shrubs and a large collection of orchids. In wildlife here you can see iguanas, parrots and other animals and birds.
Not far from Breakers there is Family Recreation & Motorsports Park, where there are excellent tracks for auto-motorsports, areas family vacation, Botanical garden, sea farm.
On the island of Little Cayman you can admire the magnificent nature, walk along ecological trail and see the stunning seascape from Bluff Rock.
On the island of Cayman Brac, in addition to snorkeling and admiring orchids and cacti, you can visit the Museum, the gardens of Christopher Columbus Park and caves with very interesting stories. A visit will lift your spirits National Park parrots
Cuisine and restaurants
The main ingredients of Caymanian national cuisine are fish and seafood, meat with spicy sauces, dried meat, as well as vegetables, rice, and fruits.
While in Cayman, be sure to try the following dishes:
Seafood ceviche – with shellfish, tomatoes and onions
turtle steaks
Tostones - fried bananas
Creole pork
"jerk" - dried meat with curry
clam chowder
spicy tuna Caribbean style
Marlin ceviche with coconut
Drinks: tea and coffee
Alcohol – local beer and rum
Shopping and shops
Store opening hours:
From Monday to Thursday – from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00, shopping centers– until 24.00
On weekends, many stores have individual schedules
The Cayman Islands is a duty-free zone.
The best shopping is done in Georgetown - there are a large number of markets and shopping centers.
Bargaining is not accepted even in the markets.
Customs
The import and export of currencies is not limited.
Persons over 18 years of age are allowed to import:
- Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- Up to 0.95 liters of alcohol (including wine)
- Items for personal use
It is prohibited to import:
- Live plants and cuttings
- Beef
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Perishable food
- Drugs and narcotic-containing medications
- Counterfeit coins
- Gambling instruments and devices
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives without special permission
It is prohibited to export:
- Lobsters
- Sinks
- Shellfish meat
- Protected representatives of flora and fauna
- Antiquities (including those recovered from the bottom of the sea)
- Antiques without appropriate permission
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