Peak holiday time visits. If you are planning to be on Cayman during Christmas or Spring Break and if you want to be confident of scuba trips, diving certification courses, Sting Ray City and/or snorkeling excursions, etc., it would probably be wise to book these before you arrive on the island. All equipment needed is available for rent. Note our website links below.
Grocery stores are closed on Sundays. If that's when you are scheduled to arrive, ask our office staff about having a nearby grocery deliver your order to your unit a day ahead of your Plantana booking. Groceries are not up-charged; the rather significant delivery fee includes placing your food in the refrigerator and/or in cupboards.
Planning Excursions? Plantana does garden maintenance on Wednesdays. Lawnmowers are used and sometimes a blower . Think of Wednesdays when you plan your island excursions.
Transportation: Small local jitney buses operate along Seven Mile Beach and are an easy way to visit Georgetown (3 miles); taxi operators are courteous and known for their honesty; most excursions operators will pick you up right at Plantana. Some guests rent cars for only a portion of their stay. Check the prices at locally owned companies - you'll be pleasantly surprised. Whatever your preference, locally owned Andy's Rent-A-Car, with locations at the Airport and on Seven Mile Beach, will offer you a 20% discount, as well as discounts to local attractions. To be eligible for this discount, use the password 'Plantana' when you book online at Andy's.
When you see these imposing cruise ships lying at anchor, think twice about going into Georgetown or booking an afternoon visit to Sting Ray City, popular snorkeling sites etc. You will enjoy a less crowded experience if you go to town or book these outings on days when the cruise ships are absent. Plantana office staff can tell you which are 'cruise ship free' days. Also be aware that on Cayman holidays, some of the popular tourist sites or activities may be open to local residents only - check with our staff.
Restaurants: On the top of the book exchange shelves in our office is a luxurious restaurant guide, displaying tempting photos of many dining options, complete with menus. Quite a few are within walking distance and many will deliver.
Nightlife: Want to know what nightlife is available while you are on the island? Check out eCay after 5 online and you'll learn "where the action is" during your stay. A multiplex movie theater at Camana Bay features the latest films.
Medical Information: No vaccinations are required to visit the Cayman Islands. Recommended vaccinations are similar to those recommended/required within the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe. If a traveler has a unique medical condition, it is advisable to carry a physician's letter regarding medications and treatment. Critical medications should be packed in carry-on luggage as well as in checked luggage; they should be protected from unusually high temperatures. Rabies has not been found on the the islands; only one probable case of West Nile virus has been reported (2001). Almost all water supplied to commercial ventures on Grand Cayman Island (and the majority of homes) now originates from a desalination plant; it is carefully monitored and safe to drink. Travelers should be cautious when drinking water if it originates from cistern collection.
The U.S. Dept. of State comments that the quality of medical care in the Cayman Islands is generally comparable to that available in the U.S., however, some critical care cases may require evacuation. There are full service hospitals and a variety of medical, dental and opthalmic clinics throughout the islands. Travelers should consult with their insurance provider regarding overseas coverage and evacuation costs.
The Georgetown/Cayman Islands Hospital is a public facility operated by the CI Health Services Authority; it has a hyperbaric chamber for treatment of decompression illness; it also has a dialysis clinic that is open to visitors. The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital is a private hospital. Both facilities offer modern inpatient care with a broad range of specialty services.
World famous for
scuba diving opportunities, Cayman's fascinating reefs, numerous wrecks, as well as its spectacular drop-off 'wall' offer endless diving variety for all skill levels. Certification instructors will do classroom teaching in your Plantana unit and water practice in a pool and off our beach. You can do a Resort Course or Full Certification (age 14 and up), or, complete training started at home through the Open Water Referral program; you can choose from a using a small boat, larger group craft, or diving directly from shore entry locations. University credits are available for serious marine biology students.
There are
kayaking trips through the mangrove swamps, the nursery for Cayman's tropical fish. Night trips offer amazing experiences with phosphorescence in the water.
During the summer, check out the
Cayman Summer Splash program for children - there are a variety of wonderful, educational camps such as sea school (marine environment), crafts, sports, etc. operating all summer long.
Cayman's famous
Turtle Farm (breeding and rescue program for the native green sea turtle) is now housed at Boatswain's Bay and guides offer an up-close, scientific exposure to the turtles. Other marine-oriented activities are also available there; there is a children's summer camp with classes taught by marine biologists.
Art classes are regularly scheduled at the Cayman National Gallery (for children and adults alike). Art lectures and
independent films are sponsored weekly by the Gallery with exhibits alternating between local artists and traveling collections. Ask the office about Plantana's membership passes.
More eco-system study is available through the
National Trust of the Cayman Islands. For example, you can walk the Mastic Trail with a naturalist and bird-watching guide to learn about native flora and fauna. The program is sponsored by the National Trust of the Cayman Islands.
Interested in the
Blue Iguana Recovery Program? Cayman's 'blue dragons' are unique to the Cayman Islands and are the most endangered iguana in the world. The breeding program is progressing successfully at the
Botanic Gardens, which also feature over two dozen plant species exclusive to the Cayman Islands. Green iguanas are the slightly less exotic creatures often seen on our grounds along with their small gekko cousins - please caution children that these animals should be observed only, not caught nor harassed.
Golf is available at two local courses: Britannia or North Sound Golf Course.
Tennis is available at the Cayman Islands Tennis Club
Festivals: Art Fair (January at Government House),
Cayman Cookout (January at the Ritz: chefs from around the world),
International Underwater Film Festival (January, and in tandem with scuba events),
Agricultural Show (February: local livestock, produce, & baby contests, etc.),
Festival of the Arts (April, showcasing theater, music, dance and poetry),
Batabano Carnival (May, with extravagant costumes, street dancing, etc.),
Jet Ski Races (June, around the whole island),
Taste of Cayman (November, a local culinary extravaganza),
Pirates Week (November, the biggest festival of the year with eleven days of rowdy celebrations, costumes, street dances, and parades),
Cayman Jazz Fest (December, attracting top international artists).
Exploring the Island: Grand Cayman is 22 miles long and varies from a few hundred meters to 8 miles wide - the island is easy and safe to explore. Be sure to be on the watch for the old, Cayman style clapboard cottages with gingerbread trim, raked sand gardens trimmed with conch shells, and cisterns fed by rain gutters. Their numbers are dwindling, but those you can find are being tended with care. If desired, the office staff could suggest a knowledgeable driver with a van.
Church Services: Local Cayman Churches will welcome your attendance. You will find your preferred denomination in the yellow pages of your phone book. Caymanians wear their "Sunday Best" to church.
Horseback Riding: English and Western riding is available on beaches and trails: group or private rides, swim with the horses rides.
Ambassadors of the Environment: the Ritz Carlton Hotel (a walk down the beach to the south) runs about two dozen really great children's programs. Non-registered guests are welcome to enroll their children in these educational camps -- they include supervised editions of the some of the programs mentioned above.
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/GrandCayman/AmbassadorsoftheEnvironment
Is there a Destination Wedding in your future? Grand Cayman offers the full range of planning services and Plantana's lovely, wide beach provides a beautiful, romantic setting. Take a look at our wedding special on our Home Page.
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