How much money will we need?

Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 6:48 am Post subject: How much money will we need?

Hi everyone. My wife and I have been reading all of the Cayman messages for a while now and can't wait to get there on the 27th of May. We have a furnished beach front condo in Cayman Kai and will be on the island for 8 days. We were trying to figure out how much money we need to bring. Everything is paid for except eats and entertainment. We'll need groceries for the week for most breakfasts and lunches. We'll be eating out the evening meals, two breakfasts, and two or three lunches. We also enjoy strawberry margaritas on the beach (condo has a blender). Amaretto sours are also quite nice, so we'll need four bottles of liquor and some margarita mix. We found prices for entertainment, but need $ for groceries, liquor, and meals out (on average of course). I've just downloaded your things to do/see/eat list. Thanks so much, Kevin and Julie. Razz

Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:34 am Post subject:

Welcome Kevin and Julie, You are in for a great time here on the island! You question re: how much $$ to bring. This is difficult to answer because it depends on exactly what you are intending on doing while here, where you eat and such. But I can tell you if you will pick up a Cayman Activity Guide at the airport, you will definately save money! You might want to think about bringing your liquor for your margaritas with you. We ususally buy ours at the airport before take off instead of buying at our local liquor store. But if you want rum then wait and purchase it at Blackbeards and get a 10% disc with the coupon in the CAG. It's very good Rum!

I can also tell you that my husband and I usuall bring about $1,200.00 in travelers checks and that usually does it for us (We are ususally paying for diving out of this also). We come home with money but not much. Some people bring less cash and just use their c.c.'s but we only use the c.c. if we are making a large purchase for something that may be extra that we didn't intend to spend.

I hope this helps and I hope I didn't scare you. Things are a little more expensive there on the island but it is so well worth it. It is what keeps bringing us back year after year!

Hope you have a great time!

Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:01 am Post subject:

My wife and I usually go through about $3000 to $3500 in 2 weeks, not including lodging (it's Dad's house...) We really don't spend much time watching our pennies either. We like to bar hop, so that's where the cash goes. We CC everything else. We only eat one big meal a day (something about a potato in a beer?...) and have morning snacks/coffee at the house. Hey, after all, we're on vacation!! I'll scrimp at home. (Right now I'm at work, eating a bologna sandwich brought from home!!)

Status Member Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 765

For another view point, my husband and I are usually there for 4 weeks and spend about $2000. We always eat breakfast in our condo (there's only 1 spot on North Side that serves that early), eat lunch out (because you get the same food but at lower prices), and eat most dinners at home, or with friends (potluck style) with the occasional dinner out at one of our favorites. We don't do any tourist things, since we have friends with boats. I may have to make an exception to that when we go next month, as I'm very curious about the Cayman Kayak night tour! I concur that you should bring in your allotment of booze for sunset cocktails on the beach! Have a great time!

Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:35 am Post subject:

I'm with you, Sue. With the exception of the sunset dinner cruise and dinner at Hemmingways and the Stingers Luau (very reasonable) and the BFM show and the Pirates Buffet at the Westin, we plan to eat large lunches and just snack at dinner and maybe have appetizers with our rum punches. I learned that trick several years ago, that you can get the same food at lunch prices, and sometimes the same portions, so you have leftovers as well!!

Some of these things you just can't miss though!

I see sun on the Royal Palms webcam!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject:

Thank you all so much for the great information. We absolutely cannot wait to come down! We expected things to be expensive, and we're prepared enough that we shouldn't get shocked, thanks to everyone's advice. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time. Thanks again, Kevin and Julie

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject:

puttertat - You might want to consider the Marriott beach dinner show. It's called Bucaneer's Feast and they offer a spectacular performance, live music and stunning food presentation - rooms full of food! You will find a coupon for it in Activity Guide when you arrive. Wink

Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: $ to bring to island

We are new to this site as well and will be first timers to the island The input you guys have given about $ is great. With 4 kids 17,15,13,7 what would you recommend as a not to miss. we do not dive or snorkle. I think our kids want to parasil, jet ski, go on banana boats, go on the jolly roger. about how much are we talking for these things. also I want to do some site seeing good ideas on things that are not to $$$$ Smile

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject:

PLEASE consider snorkeling, even if it's in very shallow water where you can stand up. You will be amazed at the sea life right there at your feet. Find some coral in shallow water - if your family has a fear of the water - just dip your face with the mask in. You won't be sorry. It's not to be missed if at all possible. Smile

Also, if at all possible, don't miss the Stingray City trip. Even if you don't snorkel, at the sandbar, you can stand in the sand in water that is about 3 1/2 to 4 feet deep. You can pet and feed the stingrays, or you can just watch them swim gracefully around you. It is a wonderful experience. We had a fabulous time with Soto's.

Are any of the kids skateboarders? I haven't been there, but some visitors have enjoyed the skate park. I believe they also have a wave machine for boogie boarding. You should find a coupon for it in the Activity Guide.

Our vacation very much centers around snorkeling and diving, but I'm sure other will chime in with better suggestions of things to do with the kids. I'm sure you'll find many activities available in the 7-mile beach area and Rum Point.

Wishing you a fabulous trip.

Karen2

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:26 pm Post subject:

patO -

You have some of the best activities already planned. I'd replace the Jolly Roger with a Pampered Ponies Swim the Horse Beach Ride or one of the Atlantis or Cayman Kayak adventures. Wink

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:06 pm Post subject: activities on grandcayman

Thanks for all the advise. I think we will probably try snorkeling (if it as easy as you are saying) I hate to say this but I am like one of the other people who write on this space. I like to have everything planned out. My family is hoping and praying that for once I can just go with the flow. any idea how much the pampered ponies, sting ray city,parasailing, jolly roger cost? Trying to save as much as i can for the next 8 months.want this to be 1 vacation the kids will always remember.

THIS SITE IS AWESOME AND I HOPE WE HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING SOME OF YOU WHILE WE ARE ON THE ISLAND. palm

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject:

patO - Here's the approximate prices, with your Activity Guide discounts factored in:

pampered ponies

U$90/pp

Note: Request Swim the Horses Beach Ride

sting ray city

With Soto's or Oh Boy

US$30/pp

parasailing

With Parasailing Professionals, booked direct.

U$60/pp

jolly roger cost

It varies, depending on if you want dinner, drinks only, etc. I do not have exact prices because we are not currently recommending this activity. I highly recommend the intimate and culturally significant Oh Boy sunset dinner cruise, which will cost about U$60/pp, including drinks and a complete delicious and authentic Caymanian dinner.

Native Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1224 Location: Kansas

patO wrote:

Thanks for all the advise. I think we will probably try snorkeling (if it as easy as you are saying) I hate to say this but I am like one of the other people who write on this space. I like to have everything planned out. My family is hoping and praying that for once I can just go with the flow. any idea how much the pampered ponies, sting ray city,parasailing, jolly roger cost? Trying to save as much as i can for the next 8 months.want this to be 1 vacation the kids will always remember.

THIS SITE IS AWESOME AND I HOPE WE HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING SOME OF YOU WHILE WE ARE ON THE ISLAND. palm

patO,

Welcome to the board! I want to tell you that you really need to try the snorkeling! My 18 yr. old is NOT a swimmer, and vowed NOT to snorkel, but once he stuck his head underwater.........he was hooked. You can snorkel shallow or deeper, but what you see under the water will totally amaze you, and your children for sure! It is the cheapest fun thing to do ! We paid abut $7 a day for renting mask/snorkel/flippers. There are many places to rent, we went to Divers Supply. Where may I ask are you staying? We were at the Comfort Suites, and the snorkeling at the beach was totally awesome!!!

Also about going with the flow. My husband is a workaholic, and it was VERY hard for him to settle down. He finally did about the last 2 days we were there. This will be the best vacation that you and your family will ever take, just go with the flow, and enjoy! You concrete plans will change on a daily basis. There is one place that everyone forgets, and that is the Butterfly Farm. It is a must to go and see. Your kids will REALLY enjoy it, as will you. I learned so very very much! OK, long winded, sorry! kchick

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:16 am Post subject: cost of activities

Thank you so much this is aBIG help. I want the kids to have an awesome time. Since this will probably be 1 if the last all family vac, with our oldest starting college in 2007 she will probably want to go with her friends Very Happy

Native Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1224 Location: Kansas

patO wrote:

Thank you so much this is aBIG help. I want the kids to have an awesome time. Since this will probably be 1 if the last all family vac, with our oldest starting college in 2007 she will probably want to go with her friends Very Happy

patO,

YOU WILL have a great vacation!!!!! Don't evern worry about that! I see that you will be at the Regal Beach! That is right next to the Marriott, which is right next to the Comfort Suites! That is a great snorkeling area, and just to the right the beach gets better and better! You are right down from the Royal Palms(the webcam at the right with the umbrellas) you are in a great location!!!!! Wow, I am so excited for you and your family!!! We took our youngest to GC for his graduation present.(HS) He loved it and so will all of yours, even the oldest! Keep us informed on your plans and can't wait to read your trip report and see your piictures!!!

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