Cayman Islands: Accessible Caribbean Paradise Guide

In 1503, Christopher Columbus came upon a group of islands in what today is known as the Caribbean Sea. The Arawak-Taino people who lived there called the atolls caiman, their word for crocodile because of the large number of those semiaquatic reptiles which lived there.

I recently followed Chris in exploring those small points of land and discovered that they have much to offer today's travelers. From the typical sun, sand and surf attractions to a lengthy list of alluring activities, from an intriguing history to equally intriguing sites, the Caymans present a choice of things to see and do that might be found in a much larger destination.

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The first impression which greets visitors with a physical disability or mobility limitations is that the Cayman islands are almost completely flat. George Town, the only community of any size, has good sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and ramps where needed. Most restaurants and major attractions also are accessible.

Of course, mention Caribbean and "beaches" come to mind. Those on the three major Cayman Islands are varied and inviting, and most consist of picture postcard perfect soft white sand.

Attractively but misnamed Seven Mile beach on Grand Cayman, which erosion has shrunk to 5.5 miles long, has been named one of the Caribbean's "Ultimate Beaches" by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.

Nestled at the end of Seven Mile is personal accurately, but unfortunately, named Cemetery Beach, because of named its location adjacent to a burial ground. I found it to be much less crowded - except for those who are buried there. Wandering among the weathered headstones I found that they relate pages from the islands' past.

That antiquity itself is worth exploring and recalling. Over time, those who found their way archipelago included shipwrecked sailors from various countries, pirates and deserters from troops in Jamaica who were serving under the English military and political leader Oliver Cromwell.

My first impression after arriving was that each of the primary three islands offers its own accounts, attractions and activities. Grand Cayman, largest of the three (22 miles long, eight miles wide) is home to Stingray City, the name given to is a series of shallow sandbars which are home to a gathering of those unusual creatures. After receiving several assurances from a local that I could walk among and even lean down to pet the strange looking animals, I got close up and personal with several of them. Grand Cayman also is the self-described Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, with more than 200 restaurants which support that claim.

Little Cayman lives up - or, rather, down - to its name. It's one of the last undeveloped islands of any size in the Caribbean and is a place of unspoiled natural beauty and relaxation.

On Cayman Brac I encountered rugged terrain and hidden caves, some of which once were used by pirates as safe havens to stash their treasure. This is a bird-watchers paradise, where more than 200 species of residents and migrators have ben recorded.

Touring the historic Cayman Brac Heritage House, which once was a leather tannery, I was introduced to snippets of the past. The building is a version of an old Caymanian home, and one of numerous remaining examples of the local heritage.

Other places also bring stories of the past to the present. The Cayman Islands National Museum brings alive the islands' seafaring history. Intricate ship models are displayed near relics recovered from shipwrecks which dot the surrounding reefs.

Visitors to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute learn about the life, and death, of coral; reef restoration, and other solutions to declining ocean health.

I entered a very different setting at Pedro St. James, built in 1780 by an English settler named William Eden who established a cotton and mahogany plantation. That "Great House" has coral-rock walls, mahogany verandas, shuttered window, and a slate roof brought from England. On 5 December 1831, the structure was the site of a meeting to form the Cayman Islands' elected parliament, earning it the title "Birthplace of Democracy.".

A typical Caymanian house over a century old greeted me at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It's surrounded by wetlands, forested areas and manicured gardens and serves as home, and haven, for Blue Iguanas, an endangered animal which is endemic to Grand Cayman.

A different scene greets visitors to Georgetown, the capital city of the Cayman Islands - or, perhaps town - with a population of about 40,000. Despite that relatively small size, the metropolis plays a big role in the local tourism scene, and international finance.

Up to four cruise ships at a time may dock in the harbor, disgorging passengers eager to take advantage of tax-free shopping opportunities and experience a quick taste of what the islands has to offer. Some, as I did, check out a smattering of historic buildings and landmarks which bring to life the town's and islands' colorful past.

That story, combined with a wide choice of present-day things to see and do, make the Cayman Islands an inviting destination at any time of year

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Author Credentials: Victor Block has been a travel journalist for many years, and has written for major newspapers, magazines and travel websites and served as an editor of Fodor's Travel Guides. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. Victor is a regular contributor of reviews to the Disabled World travel section. Visit Victors's biography for further insights into his background and expertise.