Taking a break and getting away need not be an expensive affair. With proper planning and a little budgeting, it may be possible to plan and execute a reasonably priced holiday to an international destination. One of these favored destinations is the Cayman Islands. With the advent of budget airlines and cheap fares, online booking and group rates, it may well be possible to get an affordable and yet exotic holiday away to the Cayman Islands for a little sea and sun, or love and romance, depending on what you are after.
Flying to the Cayman Islands
If you are planning a holiday on the Cayman Islands, your main travel arrangements will result in you landing on the Grand Cayman Islands. This island is the largest of the group of islands and has the international airport known as the Owen Roberts International Airport. There are flights from all over the world that land at this little airport each day, and it will be possible to search for and book such travel arrangements online or through your travel agent.
The island of Cayman Brac has the Gerrard Smith Airport and most flights that land there are local flights between the islands. These two airports are the main points of entry for international and local travellers. Little Cayman is a tiny island and only has facilities for inter-island flights that are normally on smaller planes.
There are more than 55 flights coming into the Cayman Islands each week and almost half these flights come in from Miami. The common airlines to book flights on are American Airlines and of course, Cayman Airlines.
Some details on airlines that you can contact for flight information :
American Airlines : 800-433-7300
With daily flights from Miami to Grand Cayman.
Cayman Airways : 800-422-9626
With flights out of many American airports as well as out of Jamaica to Grand Cayman.
Continental Airlines : 800-231-0856
With flights out of Newark and Houston into Grand Cayman.
Delta Air Lines : 800-221-1212
Flies out of Atlanta to Grand Cayman.
Northwest Airlines : 800-225-2525
Flies out of Detroit but only between December to April.
USAirways : 800-328-4322
If you are flying into the Cayman Islands and wish to explore Little Cayman or Cayman Brac, then the way to travel to these islands is via inter-island service flights. These flights are provided by local airlines, Cayman Express and Cayman Airways and also by USAirways. The Cayman Express flies four times each day to both islands and Cayman Airways has a jet service to these islands.
General customs regulations
Most airports follow similar regulations when dealing with passengers. These include :
- Passengers over 18 years may bring in 200 cigarettes / 100 cigarillos / 25 cigars / 250g of tobacco
- Passengers of 18 years may bring in 1 liter of spirits / 4 liters of wine / 1 case [not exceeding 9 liters] of beer
- Prohibited items include counterfeit coins, appliances for gambling, controlled drugs.
- For the import of firearms / ammunition / explosives, a permit issued by the Commissioner of Police / District Commissioner is required.
- Visitors are not allowed to export lobster, conch or conch meat.
- Pets such as birds, dogs and cats require a permit from the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture. There are specific regulations governing this which are available at www.caymanislandscustoms.com.
- Baggae will be cleared at the first airport that you land in on entry to the Cayman Islands.
- When departing from the Cayman Islands, you will be required to pay a Departure Tax of CI$20 or USD25 unless you are in transit for less than 24 hours, are a member of air crew or children under the take of 12 year.
- There is no restriction on the amount of currency that you can bring into or take out of the Cayman Islands.