In 1503, Christopher Columbus was making his fourth and final voyage to the New World when winds blew his ship off-course. It was then that Columbus first happened upon two islands that he would name “Las Tortugas” for the many turtles residing there. This pair would become the Sister Islands of Cayman.

Years later, a map was drawn showing all three islands in the area with the name “Lagartos,” meaning alligators or large lizards. By 1530, the trio was called the “Caimanas”— derived from the native word for the crocodiles that used to dwell here. The name “Caimanas” evolved into Cayman, and they’ve been calling their islands that ever since.

It was the ample supply of turtle that made Cayman a popular port for ships in need of meat for their crews. However, the earliest settlers arrived in the islands around 1658 as deserters from the British Army in Jamaica. The first colonists were named Bodden and Watler – with fishermen, slaves, sailors and refugees from the Spanish Inquisition soon to follow.

Today, the people here speak a British form of English with its own Caymanian flair. In fact, each district has a different dialect. They also have a rich heritage of rope making, with strands braided from their national tree, the Silver Thatch Palm. And, as you would expect, the customs they hold in the highest regard come from their maritime past, right up to the catboat races they host every year.

Visit their National Museum to delve even deeper into their history and traditions.

Guests of the Cayman Islands are required to present a valid passport and must complete an immigration form. If there are any items to declare, guests should also complete a customs declaration form. All guests must possess a return airline ticket.

Upon arrival, declare you are visiting for reasons of leisure.

Along with March, April through June are popular times to visit the Cayman Islands, partially due to the fantastic Cayman weather you’ll experience during this time of year. If you were to search “weather in Grand Cayman today” at any point during this period, you’re likely to see about 28°C (83°F) on most days.

The Cayman Islands has only one time zone, which is Eastern Standard Time (EST), and does not observe daylight saving. So no need to worry about adjusting your watches when visiting.

Dress will be resort casual at the resort. Recommended attire includes bathing suit, shorts, t-shirts, jeans or long pants, tennis or hiking shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a jacket as evenings could get cool.

Please Note: We wil take a Group Photo during the Wednesday night Welcome Reception & Dinner.

The Cayman Islands dollar (KY$) is on a fixed exchange rate — KY$0.80 equals

US$1.00. The US dollar is accepted throughout the islands.

Automated Teller Machines are also available that dispenses both currencies.

Credit Cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa) are widely accepted.  NOTE:  It is advised to contact the credit card company for the card you intend to use to advise them that the card will be used in Grand Cayman so your purchases are not challenged as fraud and to determine which card offers the best international merchant fee rates.

The largest of the three islands. Cosmopolitan Grand Cayman offers a wealth of activities, restaurants, accommodation and attractions. The capital, George Town, offers some of the finest shopping in the entire Caribbean.

Take a bit of Cayman home with you. There are a variety of locally produced products, ranging from marshmallows to candles and rum, available in several stores.

If you would like to stock your guestroom fridge, there are a few supermarkets located close to most major accommodations, where you can buy all the groceries you need during your visit.

We highly encourage you to roam and explore the island however you feel comfortable. If you wish to get around at your own pace, rent a vehicle or scooter from one of the many rental companies.  Any of your meeting planners can assist you.

Just keep in mind that Grand Cayman is a British Territory, so they drive on the left. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi that will take you exactly where you need to go.  

Be sure to download the CIGO Taxi Fare app from Google Play or Apple App Store to find out exactly what you should be paying.

Taxi’s primarily are ‘cash only’.

There is a full complement of modern medical facilities on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, including government hospitals and private medical facilities like Health City. Grand Cayman also houses a hyperbaric chamber.

In order to continue to thrive as a leading Caribbean tourism destination, the Cayman Islands heavily enforces littering and marine conservation laws to ensure their islands, and their waters, remain beautiful.

In the Cayman Islands, the dominant religion is Christianity. Within the Christian faith, there are quite a large number of different denominations such as United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Jehovah Witness, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventists.