DESTINATIONS cayman islands communications-67

TRAVEL TIPS

Communications

Internet

In Grand Cayman most hotels and resorts provide Internet access—either free or for a small fee—for their guests; wireless is increasingly prevalent, including at the airport in Grand Cayman. You'll also find Internet cafés in George Town. Rates range from $2.50 for 15 minutes to $10 per hour. Several restaurants also advertise free Wi-Fi hot spots. Although there are no cybercafés on the Sister Islands, most of the small hotels have high-speed access in rooms and/or public spaces. Those lacking Wi-Fi or high-speed Internet connections in rooms usually have a public computer or permit use of the office facilities. A few individual villas offer Wi-Fi.

Phones

The area code for the Cayman Islands is 345.

Calling Within the Cayman Islands

In the Cayman Islands local calls are free from private phones; some hotels charge a small fee. For directory assistance, dial 411; international directory assistance is 010. Calls from pay phones cost CI¢25 for five minutes. Prepaid phone cards, which can be used throughout Cayman and other Caribbean islands, are sold at shops, attractions, transportation centers, and other convenient outlets.

Calling Outside the Cayman Islands

From the Cayman Islands, direct dialing to the United States and other countries is efficient and reasonable, but always check with your hotel to see if a surcharge is added. Some toll-free numbers cannot be accessed, especially on the Sister Islands. To charge your overseas call on a major credit card or U.S. calling card without incurring a surcharge, dial 800/225–5872 (1–800/CALL–USA) from any phone.

The country code for the United States is 1.

Information

AT&T. AT&T 800/872–2881.

LIME. 345/949–7800.

Calling Cards

LIME phone cards, which can be used for both local and international calls, are available for purchase in various denominations at many retail outlets, including supermarkets and gas stations. They can be used from any touch-tone telephone (including pay and cell phones) in the Cayman Islands. The rates on island are competitive with those of online servers and more reliable.

Mobile Phones

If you're bringing your own mobile phone and it's compatible with 850/1900 Mhz GSM network or TDMA digital network, you should be able to make and receive calls during your stay, especially from Grand Cayman. Be sure, however, to check with your home provider that you have roaming service enabled, and note that charges can be astronomical depending on your calling plan. Renting a cell phone if you're planning an extended vacation or expect to make a lot of local calls may be a less expensive alternative than using your own. Mobile-phone rental is available from LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless) and Digicel; you can stay connected for as little as CI$5 per day plus the cost of a calling card (denominations range from CI$10 to CI$100). International per-minute rates usually range from CI¢35 to CI¢60. You can rent phones for use on-island from either LIME or Digicel.

Mobile Phone Companies

LIME. Anderson Square Bldg., Shedden Rd., George Town, Grand Cayman. 345/949–7800; www.time4lime.com.

LIME. Galleria Plaza, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman. www.time4lime.com/ky.

Digicel. Leeward One, Regatta Office Park, 1158A West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, KY1-1107. 345/623–3444; www.digicelcayman.com.

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