The Cayman Islands Alive!

302 Pages·2000·3.79 MB·English

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ParisPermenter&JohnBigley
HUNTER
HUNTERPUBLISHING,INC.
130CampusDrive,Edison,NJ08818
732-225-1900;800-255-0343;Fax[phone]
[email protected]
1220NicholsonRoad,Newmarket,Ontario
CanadaL3Y7V1
800-399-6858;Fax[phone]
TheBoundary,WheatleyRoad,Garsington
Oxford,OX449EJEngland
01865-361122;Fax[phone]
ISBN1-55650-862-X
©1999ParisPermenter&JohnBigley
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmay
bereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortrans-
mitted in any form, or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
withoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.
This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all
such activities contain elements of risk, the pub-
lisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies
disclaimanyresponsibilityforanyinjury,harm,or
illnessthatmayoccurtoanyonethrough,orbyuse
of, the information in this book. Every effort was
made to insure the accuracy of information in this
book, but the publisher and author do not assume,
and hereby disclaim, any liability for any loss or
damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading
information or potential travel problems caused by
this guide, even if such errors or omissions are the
resultofnegligence,accidentoranyothercause.
MapsbyK.André©1999HunterPublishing,Inc.
1 2 3 4
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the relevant copyright,
designs and patents acts, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior
permission in writing of the publisher. eBooks Corporation
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About The Authors v
About The Authors
J
ohn Bigley and Paris Permenter fell in love
with the Caribbean over a dozen years ago
and have turned their extensive knowledge of
the region into an occupation. As professional
travel writers and photographers, the pair
contribute travel articles and photographs on
the US and the Caribbean to many national
consumerandtradepublications.Thehusband-
and-wife team have also written numerous
guidebooks.
Paris and John are authors of several other
Hunterguidebooks,includingAdventureGuide
totheCaymanIslands,AdventureGuidetothe
Leeward Islands and Jamaica: A Taste of the
Island. Currently they’re at work on Jamaica
Alive!, Nassau & The Best of The Bahamas
Alive!, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis
Alive!,andAdventureGuidetoJamaica.
ParisandJohnarealsofrequenttelevisionand
radiotalkshowguestsonthesubjectoftravel.
Both are members of the prestigious Society of
American Travel Writers (SATW) and the
American Society of Journalists and Authors
(ASJA).
Whenthey’renotontheroad,theteamresides
intheTexasHillCountrynearAustin.
MoreaboutParisandJohn’sworkcanbefound
ontheirwebsite:www.parisandjohn.com.
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vi The Cayman Islands Alive!
www.hunterpublishing.com
Hunter’s full range of travel guides to all
corners of the globe is featured on our
excitingwebsite.You’llfindguidebooksto
suiteverytypeoftraveler,nomatterwhat
their budget, lifestyle, or idea of fun. Full
descriptionsaregivenforeachbook,along
with reviewers’ comments and a cover
image. Books may be purchased on-line
usingacreditcardviaoursecuretransac-
tionsystem.
Check out our Adventure Guides, a series
aimed at the independent traveler with a
focusonoutdooractivities(rafting,hiking,
biking,skiing,etc.).Allbooksinthissigna-
ture series cover places to stay and eat,
sightseeing,in-townattractions,transpor-
tationandmore!
Hunter’sRomanticWeekendsseriesoffers
myriad things to do for couples of all ages
and lifestyles. Quaint places to stay and
restaurantswheretheambiancewilltake
yourbreathawayareincluded,alongwith
fun activities that you and your partner
willrememberforever.
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About the Alive Guides vii
About the Alive Guides
R
eliable,detailedandpersonallyresearched
byknowledgeableauthors,theAliveseries
wasfoundedbyHarrietandArnoldGreenberg.
This accomplished travel-writing team also
operatesarenownedbookstore,TheComplete
Traveller, at 199 Madison Avenue in New
YorkCity.
Othertitlesinthisseriesinclude:
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Antigua,Barbuda,St.Kitts&Nevis
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Aruba,Bonaire&Curaçao
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Bermuda
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BuenosAires&TheBestofArgentina
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Cancún&Cozumel
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Jamaica
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Martinique,Guadeloupe,Dominica&St.Lucia
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Nassau&TheBestofTheBahamas
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St.Martin&St.Barts
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Venezuela
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TheVirginIslands
We Love to Get Mail
T
his book has been carefully researched to
bring you current, accurate information.
But no place is unchanging. We welcome your
comments for future editions. Please write us
at: The Cayman Islands Alive, c/o Hunter
Publishing, 130 Campus Drive, Edison, NJ
08818, or e-mail your comments to kimba@
mediasoft.net.

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Contents ix
Contents
AboutTheAuthors v
AbouttheAliveGuides vii
WeLovetoGetMail vii
INTRODUCTION 1
TheAttractions 3
TheAlivePriceScale 5
ACapsuleHistory 6
TheIslandsToday 10
ThePeople 12
Environment 12
Flora 13
Fauna 14
LifeUndersea 17
Climate 18
Hurricanes 20
GettingThere 21
ByAir 21
ByCruiseShip 25
Inter-IslandTravel 26
GETTINGREADY 29
WhentoVisit 29
EntryRequirements 30
Customs 31
WhattoPack 32
InformationSources 35
OntheInternet 35
TouristOfficesintheUS 35
HelpOn-Island 36
UPONARRIVAL 37
MoneyMatters 37