Planning a Trip

First things first -- just what, and where, are the Cayman Islands? A British Overseas Territory, the three islands that compose the Cayman archipelago are part of the geographic entity known as the Cayman Ridge, which extends westward from Cuba. Lying off the southwest coast of Cuba, on the way to Mexico, they consist of Grand Cayman, the largest island, followed by Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The archipelago is actually the top of the underwater Sierra Maestra Range, which runs north into Cuba. The Cayman Trench, the deepest part of the Caribbean Sea, which measures in at a depth of just over 6.4km (4 miles), separates the Cayman Islands trio from Jamaica, which lies 290km (180 miles) to the southeast.

A beach buff? You're in luck. For the most part, the sand on the Caymans is sugary white, the surf is warm and gentle, and the colors are primarily aqua and turquoise. Grand Cayman is celebrated for its magnificent stretch of white sands, known as Seven Mile Beach, which is lined with hotels and condos. Crowding is rarely a problem on the beach, even with heavy cruise-ship arrivals. To satisfy your inner Robinson Crusoe, explore the many hidden coves, beautiful sheltered bays, and expanses of coastline where you can flee the crowds to find your own paradise. The other islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, also have hidden beaches and coves.

When you tire of the beach -- if that's possible -- you'll find some of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling, from the plunge at Bloody Bay Wall off Little Cayman to the calm waters and gentle stingrays at Stingray City off Grand Cayman. The variety of dive sites, the abundant marine life and clear waters, and some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling outfitters in the world make the Caymans a top diving and snorkeling destination.

In addition to little divers' inns, Grand Cayman boasts some of the grandest resort hotels in the Caribbean, along with dozens of beachfront condos and timeshares along Seven Mile Beach. The downside is that there are few modest budget inns; the Caymans, for the most part, remain an upmarket destination, doing little to attract the frugal traveler, unlike such Caribbean countries as the Dominican Republic.

The Caymans offer excellent dining. The restaurants on the island are diverse and inventive, and they often boast outstanding chefs. In addition to upscale venues, plenty of relatively affordable restaurants serving standard Cayman fare can be found.

While the nightlife scene has improved in recent years, don't expect much. Sipping tropical punch in a bar remains the preferred form of after-dark activity. If you are a casino devotee, know that gambling is not allowed in the Cayman Islands and hustle yourself off to somewhere like Puerto Rico or Aruba.

The islands have one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. Most of their residents are hospitable and courteous, and panhandling or aggressive souvenir hawking is rare. If safety is a factor in your choice of Caribbean vacation, you can rest assured that the low crime rate in the Cayman Islands is the envy of many small nations in the Caribbean.

The downside? Although the Cayman Islands do have splashes of floral and faunal color, along with rows of royal palms and tall pines swaying in the trade winds, far prettier and more geographically dramatic islands exist in the Caribbean. You won't see any spectacular land vistas, although some of Grand Cayman's beaches, found primarily on the western and northern coasts, rank among the most beautiful in the region.

Most people come to the Cayman Islands to get away from it all in a secluded, safe haven, and many visitors come back after sampling the Caymans for the first time, including honeymooners who return to celebrate their anniversaries.