Is your first trip to Plantana coming up soon? Have you been staying with us for 15+ years but looking for a new routine? Look no further! Read on as we break down a perfect 7-day trip to Grand Cayman staying on the best stretch of Seven Mile Beach at Plantana Condominiums.

Day 1:

You fly into Grand Cayman on a warm, sunny afternoon and make the 15-minute journey to Plantana. Driving through the entrance you already feel more relaxed but learn that your unit is not quite ready for your arrival. You get changed into shorts and sandals and leave your luggage to be stored by the Plantana team. Hop into a taxi and head to Morgan’s for lunch to really get your mind in the vacation mood. A glass of wine and fresh seafood by the water – can it get any better than this? Your unit is now ready, you’re handed the keys, and it’s time to unwind. After a long day, all you want is some Ragazzi delivered straight to the door for an early dinner. Pizza, pasta, or both? Turn off the lights, tuck in, and remember the view you’re going to wake up to.

Day 2:

No alarm set, so you wake up a little later than usual. When is the last time you slept in until 9:30am?! Your groceries were already delivered yesterday by Hurley’s, so you get up and make breakfast for the family. A slow morning turns into an afternoon by the pool, snoozing between planning the rest of your trip. Lunch is served on the beach, toes in the sand, with your mini cooler filled with your favorite beverages. Once the sun starts to set, it’s time to get ready for your first night out – dinner at Grand Old House. Nothing can beat the mix of good food, good wine, and great service right on the ocean.

Day 3:

Time to ease into the adventure! In the morning, you walk down to the Westin and enjoy a small breakfast and coffee or fresh juice to get the day started. You visit the Red Sail Sports location at the hotel and rent jetskis, banana boats, and snorkel gear. After two hours of watersports activities, it’s time to walk back to Plantana, dry off, then head across the street to Governor’s Square for lunch. The family splits between who wants Seven Mile Burger or Seven Mile Greens and you eat lunch back on the beach. Life is good! With your freshly suntanned faces, you’re in for a more casual dinner tonight, so you head over to Pepper’s for local food and music.

Day 4:

This is the day you chose to have Hertz deliver a rental car to do some island exploring! The now unfamiliar alarm clock gets your day off to an early start and, coffee in hand, you hit the road. You knew in advance not to do this on a Sunday so you could have access to all the fun shops and stops along the way. Following our perfect road trip blog post, you have a day that can’t be forgotten. All that’s left to do is pop on a movie in the living room and doze off in 3, 2, 1…

Day 5:

Sundays in the Cayman Islands are truly one of a kind. Today, it’s time for brunch! While the majority of stores are closed, the restaurant scene is bustling with unique menus, fun cocktails, and fellow brunch-goers dressed in their Sunday best. Throw on that button up and a pair of wedges and make your way over to Anchor and Den at the Marriott. Their sprawling brunch has something for every taste – an omelet station, sushi station, meats and cheeses, hot breakfast items, carvery, and of course the free-flowing prosecco! Enjoy the food and the company while you make new laughing memories with your loved ones. Back to Plantana you go with a full belly, ready for a nap on an empty beach lounger. By the time the sun sets, you’re ready for round two. A quick taxi ride brings you to Ms. Piper’s, the perfect spot for some post-brunch grub. Their menu allows you to eat as little or as much as you can fit (don’t forget to order the croquetas!), but their relaxed garden atmosphere and incredibly flavorful food will leave you wanting for nothing.

Day 6:

It’s time for another adventurous day! The trip is coming to a close, but the fun sure isn’t. A private charter boat is on the schedule for today. If you’re into fishing, you’re with Get Bent Charters; if diving is more your style, you’d have called Living the Dream Divers; if you’re up for a sailing trip, you’ll be with Blue Sky Sailing; and if relaxing and visiting a few snorkel spots is more your style, you’re on a gorgeous yacht with Cayman Luxury Charters. A full day charter is certainly worth the investment and experience, so be sure to plan a fun lunch in the day! At Kaibo, you can park the boat right on premises and enjoy a cold mudslide and coconut curry fried fish (our personal favorites!). The fun doesn’t have to stop there, though. Dinner tonight is at Calypso Grill and you won’t be disappointed! Whether you’re in the mood for meat or seafood, the menu at Calypso Grill is truly one of a kind.

Day 7:

Another slow morning after a busy day yesterday… breakfast on the screened lanai enjoying the breeze and warm sunshine is exactly what the doctor ordered. Today is your last full day on island so you take full advantage of the Plantana property and lounge between the soft sand of Seven Mile Beach and the warm simplicity of the pool deck. A lunchtime break from the sun under an umbrella and a mid-afternoon beach nap have you feeling so at ease you wish the trip would never come to an end. In between sun sessions you start to pack yourself up, all in an attempt to avoid a mad rush to the airport tomorrow! You rebook your trip to Plantana for the same time next year, and the countdown restarts…

 

Call or email us today to book your next stay!

info@plantanacayman.com

404-474-4344

In the last two years, there have been many changes throughout the world. The Cayman Islands has been no different! We have seen a complete shutdown to our tourism and cruise industries and the effects of a pandemic on our health system, but we have also seen incredible strength and resilience in these same industries. During these past two years, Cayman’s local population and business community have been working hard on making these islands even better. Now that tourism is back and the island is open to visitors, we have some fun and exciting new offerings that will make your future stays at Plantana Condos even more enjoyable!

We all know Cayman is foodie heaven! The new restaurant offerings on island certainly aim to please, and there are more in the pipeline to come later this year. Closest to Plantana, a fan favorite formerly known as Duke’s is now known as The Fishbowl. With a similar menu and atmosphere, it continues to offer a laidback environment, good casual bar-style food, and cold drinks just steps away from Plantana! What used to be Edoardo’s and Barolo is now Lloyd’s Smokehouse. Though we miss the family-friendly homemade Italian kitchen of Edoardo’s, Lloyd’s has been a great addition to the Seven Mile strip. This is the place to go for smoked meats, indulgent sides, and an amazing array of mouthwatering sauces. They sometimes even host watch parties for sporting events! The Comfort Suites property further up Seven Mile Beach has been converted into a gorgeously renovated Hampton by Hilton property. Their feature restaurant is called Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden, where you are sure to be transported to a true foodie heaven. The restaurant is based off a fictional character named “Ms. Piper” with the menu being influenced by her travels and life experiences. Go for the delicious food and drinks, stay for the atmosphere!

An incredible new off-site amenity for Plantana guests has been the opening of Shop Right in the new plaza across the street called The Grove. This mini-mart style supermarket has opened up a new grocery offering within walking distance. Less than a 5-minute walk away, this store is open 7 days a week (yes, even on Sundays!) and has a wide assortment of dry and canned goods, dairy products, toiletries, drinks, and a full liquor store. There is even a small selection of fresh produce and frozen goods, but it has all the essentials!

On your next trip, you will also notice some other changes throughout Plantana and the general landscape on the island. Construction has boomed over the last two years, so you will notice many new developments and buildings especially in the Seven Mile Beach and West Bay areas. We’ve also been continuing our maintenance of Plantana and have recently replaced all our stairwells. Outside of our immediate area, you’ll also notice ongoing changes to the waterfront George Town area. The project known as “George Town Revitalization” intends to pedestrianize many areas of the waterfront and light a new spark for the area. There will be redesigned streets, seating, parks, public WiFi, and the intention for life in George Town after traditional business hours. How exciting!

This is just a small example of the incredible changes we’ve seen in Cayman since your last stay! For those that have been with us since the border reopening – thank you! We can’t wait to see all the familiar faces of the Plantana family again soon. Get in touch to book your next stay!

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info@plantanacayman.com

404-474-4344 or 345-945-4430

*Updated 6/25/2022

Travelling to Cayman right now can seem like a difficult process, but we’re here to make it as seamless as possible! We are now open to all fully vaccinated adult travelers and accompanying unvaccinated travelers 11 or under and anyone who meets these conditions is no longer required to quarantine upon arrival. Keep reading for a step-by-step process of applying for travel to Cayman and exactly what you’ll need for your long-awaited vacation at Plantana.

Step 1: Travel Arrangements

The first two things you’ll need are valid flights and a confirmed reservation at Plantana!

On the Plantana website homepage, you can enter your desired dates to see availability and follow the prompts to book your stay online. Alternatively, reach out to us directly at info@plantanacayman.com or via phone at 404-474-4344 and we can assist!

Step 2: Apply for a Travel Declaration on “Travel Cayman”

You’ll need to navigate to www.travelcayman.gov.ky to begin the application process for travel to Grand Cayman. Once you’ve signed up for a profile, you’ll be directed to the “Travel Cayman” Dashboard.

Follow all steps to apply for a Travel Declaration. If your vaccination record can be verified with a QR code, you will receive your Certificate to Travel immediately. If your vaccination record does not have an associated QR code (eg. paper record or CDC card), your details will be reviewed and the Certificate to Travel should be received within 7 days. You need this Certificate to Travel for all travelers in order to be allowed into the Cayman Islands. It is very important that you apply for a Travel Declaration, NOT a Travel Request.

Step 3: Make Your Way to Grand Cayman

On the day of travel into Grand Cayman, ensure you have your your travel certificates and proof of vaccination for each traveler in your party.

Step 4: Know Your Testing Requirements to Return Home

Be sure to know the requirements for testing in order for you to return home. Some countries require a negative rapid antigen/lateral flow test or a PCR – the most convenient location for this is at Total Health, located in Grand Pavilion just a short drive up the road from Plantana. They are able to do either type of Covid test necessary for travel. Please double check all your necessary travel requirements.

Step 5: Have a Wonderful Trip and Book to Come Again!

The Cayman Islands is in Phase 3 of our reopening plan. After some stumbling blocks were hit this month with community spread of COVID-19, our government made the decision to pause our reopening at Phase 3 without an idea of exactly when we would move into Phase 4.

While we are still in Phase 3, mandatory quarantines upon arrival for all travelers is still required, as well as pre-arrival PCR testing. The quarantine periods range from 7 days up to 14 days, depending on vaccination status of all travelers in your party. This of course makes leisure travel very difficult if not impossible. Phase 4 will also bring its challenges, but vaccinated travelers will be able to come to the Cayman Islands without quarantining as long as their vaccination status can be “securely verified.”

What does it mean for your vaccination status to be securely verified? The Cayman Islands Government has been working with governments, businesses, and programs across the US and beyond to begin accepting vaccinations that can be digitally or securely verified via a QR code or other method beyond just a paper certificate. They will continue to update this list and add to it as more providers become accepted.

Currently, vaccinations are accepted as securely verifiable from the following issuers: the UK National Health Services, any EU Member States or country that meet the EU Digital COVID Certificate standard, and those who use SMART Health Cards and are part of the CommonTrust Network, including Walmart Pharmacy, Sam’s Club Pharmacy, the State of Louisiana, the State of California, UC San Diego Health, CVS Health, and UC Health.

The forecast for traveling to the Cayman Islands without a quarantine is cloudy right now, but we are hopeful to have clearer answers for late 2021 and early 2022 reservations soon. We remain cautiously optimistic that our government will choose to move ahead into the next phase of our reopening in the coming weeks, but no date has officially been set.

We also remain open to the possibility of welcoming you to Plantana while quarantine measures are still in place. If you’re able to squeeze in an extended vacation, look no further than the home away from home that Plantana can provide you. Discounted rates for quarantine stays currently apply and we would love to share details.

The entire team at Plantana continues to miss our guests and hope that we can welcome you all with open arms in the near future. Until then, please don’t hesitate to reach out at 404-474-4344 or info@plantanacayman.com for any questions about upcoming travel or future reservations.

While there is currently not any news on when the borders will open more widely to visitors, Cayman is still working hard to reach goals that make a reopening closer on the horizon. The Cayman Islands are aiming for some level of herd immunity before the borders reopen, with vaccinations being the focus to protect our small population.

As of May 26, there have been 78,622 total vaccine doses given in the Cayman Islands, with 65% of our population having received at least one dose and 56% being fully vaccinated with both doses. Though not official via a government announcement, it is widely believed that major changes to our incoming traveler restrictions could occur when 70% of Cayman’s population is fully vaccinated.

We are inching towards this goal, with 65% having their first dose already. Our current batch of vaccines is due to expire at the end of June, so our leaders are encouraging our population to come forward and get vaccinated. Utilizing community spirit, vaccine drives, and raffles and prize offerings, the momentum continues to pull us closer to that goal.

The team at Plantana have also been working hard to get ready for your arrival. Of our 12 staff members, 8 have been fully vaccinated and 3 have received their first dose. We want you to feel safe returning to stay with us, knowing that we have your best interests at heart! New cleaning products and processes have also been adopted since the pandemic began, and we are ready to take care of you whenever you are able to make it to our shores.

Since the summer of 2020, Cayman’s restrictions have been lifted so there are no mask mandates, no social distancing required, and no limits on capacity for restaurants. For now, we still can’t hold events larger than 1,000 persons or host our famous Batabano carnival, but life in Cayman has been as normal as possible for just about a year. While there have been a handful of “COVID Casualties” in reference to restaurants and attractions, there are also plenty of new spots to open up, waiting for you to try!

The Cayman Islands have certainly been blessed throughout the pandemic, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the island that has taken such good care of us all for the past year.

Get in touch with our staff if you’re interested in an extended stay including quarantine – we’re offering a special rate of “stay for 7, pay for 5” and the government accommodation tax is waived through to September 2021, giving a great savings for your stay! Contact us today at communications@plantanacayman.com