Planning a trip to Cayman Brac

Getting There

Cayman Airways (tel. 800/422-9626 in the U.S., or 345/949-8200; www.caymanairways.com) offers seven flights a week to and from Cayman Brac on Boeing 737s. The flights leave from Miami and make a short stop on Grand Cayman.

The cost of a one-way ticket ranges from US$67 to US$106 per person. Note that the larger planes that fly this route -- such as the 737s, which have 122 seats -- allow twice the luggage allotment per passenger, without payment of the additional surcharge required by the 18-seaters. If you have a lot of luggage, it's wise to book a flight on a larger plane.

Getting Around

For getting around Cayman Brac, you have a choice between taking taxis, renting a bike, renting a car, or relying on your trusty feet. Renting a car is easiest, especially if you don't like getting stuck in the hot sun.

Car Rentals

Car rental agencies will meet your incoming flight if you make reservations in advance. You won't find many rental places here, so reserve as far in advance as possible during the winter season.

B & S Motor Ventures, 422 Channel Rd., South Side (tel. 345/948-1646; www.bandsmv.com), is run by Steve and Nola Bodden, who will supply you with plenty of insider information about Cayman Brac. Cars and jeeps cost US$40 per day. The best deal is their weekly rate, beginning at US$240 for 6 to 7 days. SUVs can be rented for US$46 per day. Off-season rates are generally about 10% lower. They also rent bikes and scooters . You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car.

Four D's Car Rental, Kidco Building, South Side (tel. 345/948-1599), offers car rentals for US$35 a day and up, and vans for US$45 a day. If you rent for 6 days, the seventh day is free. You must be 21 years old to rent a car.

Taxis

Taxi service on Cayman Brac is slow and not particularly organized, but it is available. Be prepared, however, to wait. Taxis do not always meet incoming planes unless arrangements are made in advance. Most taxi companies will take you on a 2-hour tour for CI$24 per person. All the taxi companies charge the same rates. The first mile costs CI$4; each additional mile costs CI$1.75. Traveling from the airport to one of the resorts or villas on Stake Bay along the north side of the island costs about CI$8 to CI$40 per person, depending on the distance of the resort or villa from the airport.

The major taxi services are D&M (tel. 345/948-2307) and Elo's Taxi (tel. 345/948-0220).

Bikes & Scooters

You can explore almost all of Cayman Brac by bike or scooter, except for the area around the Bluff, which is too rugged. Most roads along the coast are flat and easy to traverse by bike. The main road across the west of Cayman Brac is also a relatively easy cycle route.

Many hotels either lend or rent bikes to guests. If yours doesn't, you can rent both bicycles and scooters from B & S Motor Ventures (tel. 345/948-1646; www.bandsmv.com). Scooters here cost US$30 per day or US$180 for 6 to 7 days. Bikes go for US$13 per day or US$75 for a week. If you find that the bike your hotel lends or rents is too simple, you can get a bike with gears and good brakes from B & S. The company will deliver a bike or scooter to you at any location on the island.

Fast Facts

Banks -- The local branch of Cayman National Bank is at 14 West End, Cross Roads (tel. 345/948-1451). It's open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 4:30pm. It has the only ATM on the island.

Dentist -- For dental service, call tel. 345/948-2618.

Emergencies -- The main safety issues here are related to climbing the Bluff. In the event of an accident, the only rescue agency is the fire department. Dial tel. 911 to reach them.

Hospitals & Clinics -- The government-run Faith Hospital is at Stake Bay (tel. 345/948-2225). The hospital is open daily 24 hours. For a nonemergency consultation with a doctor, you can visit the hospital daily from 8:30am to 5pm. The Cayman Brac Clinic at Tibbetts Square, West End (tel. 345/948-1777) is open Monday to Friday 8am to noon and 3 to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to noon. For clinic treatment outside opening hours, call tel. 345/948-2363.

Internet Access -- You can access the Internet at Brac Reef Beach Resort, South Side (tel. 345/948-1323), which provides Wi-Fi in the lobby daily from 7am to 9pm. Internet access is also available at the post office for CI$6 per hour.

Pharmacies -- The hospital and clinic mentioned under "Hospitals & Clinics" have small pharmacies, which generally share the same opening hours as the hospital or clinic.

Post Office -- The Cayman Brac Post Office, West End (tel. 345/948-1422), is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm and Saturday from 9 to 11:30am. There are also branch post offices near Tibbetts Square in Stake Bay, at Watering Place, and at Spot Bay. These are all open Monday to Friday 9 to 11:30am and 1:30 to 3pm.

Water -- Tap water is distilled seawater and is perfectly safe to drink.