Landing in the Cayman Islands around noon, arriving at the hotel, checking in and enjoying a cocktail made with traditional local rum. Appreciate the sunset in front of the sea and then taste a delicious dinner. This is how the Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands, Kenneth Bryan, describes what would be the beginning of a vacation week in the Caribbean.

Bryan visited Panama regarding the reopening of two direct weekly flights from Cayman Airways to Tocumen International Airport. The non-stop flights will provide Panamanians and travelers from Latin America with easy access to the Cayman Islands. These flights will operate on Mondays and Thursdays to allow for longer stays.

“I am very pleased that Cayman Airways continues to play a strategic role in the development of tourism and investment in the Cayman Islands. This new direct service will provide greater access to our beautiful islands for tourists from the Latin American market, and will open up new opportunities for trade and investment. It will also strengthen our economic ties with Panama and further consolidate our reputation as a leading destination for business and leisure travel in the Caribbean,” the minister stated.

The country has three islands with 80,000 inhabitants, located 480 miles south of Miami. It is a premier destination for discerning travelers, divers, honeymooners and families. Known worldwide for its beaches and recognized as a sophisticated, diverse and memorable tourist destination. The Cayman Islands offer spectacular recreational opportunities along with warm and impeccable service.

The opening of the flights “opens up the possibility of having many more visitors, not only in the internal points of Panama, but in everything that connects with the country. Looking at the information and the numbers we have about the market, we believe that we can still grow much more towards Central and South America based on air connectivity with Panama”, Ryan expresses to La Estrella de Panamá.

The minister adds that the majority of travelers from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia like the Caribbean very much and look for these types of destinations. “But unfortunately, due to visa issues or travel time, they stopped considering it as an option. Now that we have this air route we can increase connectivity,” says Ryan.

In Panama there is also the Caribbean, why go to the Cayman Islands?

“Cayman Islands has the highest value offer in the Caribbean. We have a lot to offer, starting with the issue of visas, most Latin American countries are not required to enter anything. The quality and products it offers are far above what the rest of the Caribbean offers. In addition, the unique and distinctive attractions, such as the city of manta rays, the Las Tortugas preservation center, the crystal caverns, ”responds the minister.

Bryan also highlights the gastronomy of the country. “The culinary aspect is one of quality, not only what is produced inside or the local influence, but many chefs, with fame around the world, open food establishments in the Cayman Islands. Another aspect is that the population is oriented towards the service, quality and entertainment of the visitors”.

In addition, the minister emphasizes that the inhabitants of the islands, especially those who work in the tourism sector, are fluent in Spanish in order to offer the best possible customer service.

Beyond exporting memories

The minister assures that, beyond a tourist mission, they seek to connect commercially. On the islands, “the only thing we generate is memories and smiles”, everything that is consumed in the country is bought abroad. “Panama, being a great trade consolidator, becomes a strategic partner. Panamanian businessmen can sell their supplies in the Cayman Islands, now even more so with the latest technology jets from Cayman Airways that have significant cargo space.”

Also, Bryan reveals that people from the Cayman Islands want to get out and meet. “Practically the Central American territory is unexplored by them, because there was no air or cultural exchange; then, people are going to start coming to Panama and from here to get to know Central America”.

When the minister announced the flight from the Cayman Islands, immediately “reactions were positive.” He says that people did not ask him for gifts but business contacts. “People are very excited to come to Panama for many reasons, obviously for trade and business, but also to discover more.”

If a manta ray kisses you, you fall in love with the Cayman Islands

On the second day of that dream week, visitors can go to the city of manta rays very early. The site is a naturally formed sandbar, which is reached by catamaran. “You have the opportunity to have direct contact with the manta rays, if one of them gives you a kiss, you fall in love with the Cayman Islands for seven years,” says the minister.

“Then you do a fishing tour where you enjoy the wonderful coasts and you can catch what you are going to have for dinner. You return to the hotel in the afternoon, you freshen up and after watching the sunset, you ask the chef to prepare your fish as you prefer”, adds the official.

The next day, the third, after getting up early and enjoying a good breakfast, the visitor prepares to go to the turtle conservation center. The natural environment and animals are very important to the people of the Cayman Islands; “In fact, the initial name was Las Tortugas, because it was the first thing Christopher Columbus encountered when he arrived.” Afterwards they can go to the historic center and take a tour of the market where everything is duty free.

After finishing the tour of the market, they can enjoy the seven miles of beach, “you can spend two or three hours there, just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the beach.” At night, you can choose among the 200 world-class restaurants that the Cayman Islands have. “Since it’s Wednesday, you can go partying to some of the available bars, until what time do you want to stay? We leave that to your choice [laughs]”.

The fourth day will be the water day, you can sail a sailboat, ride a jet ski, submarine and snorkel. “You have so many options to do this day, that the hours will not reach you. To lower the intensity of such a long day, in the afternoon you can watch the sunset while the chef prepares dinner for you”. says Bryan.

After the sea, now it’s time to tour the land. On the fifth day you can go inside the island, “first, you combine the historical and cultural sites, with the adventure and nature part. You start by visiting the castle of Pedro St. James, this site was the highest point on the island, from where the inhabitants could spot any pirate attack. The site allows us to understand the culture, the traditional clothing and where the legacy of this destination comes from”, explains Bryan.

Afterwards, you can go to the crystal caverns. They remain 15 feet below the ground. Going inside, it gives the impression that you are seeing a starry sky, when the lights begin to reflect against these crystals, the only thing you notice are points similar to the stars that you can see at night, from the beaches of the Cayman Islands. “On your return, you have lunch with the oldest people on the islands, who will teach you how to cook the most typical dishes,” says Bryan.

In the afternoon you can visit the botanical park, “the only point where you can meet the blue iguana”. In the place you can also appreciate the protected area, where there is unique flora and fauna of the islands. At the end of this day you go to the hotel and enjoy the spa.

On the sixth day you take a 30-minute flight to go to Cayman Brac. 200 feet above the sea are the caves where the pirates took refuge and hid their treasures. “Cayman Brac is not so visited by tourists, which makes it possible to get in touch with the local population in a more authentic way. People maintain their traditions, which gives you the emotion of understanding the essence of the islands”, asserted the minister.

On the seventh day, to close with a flourish, the day begins by going “to the number one spot in the entire Caribbean for diving, it is recognized as such because you can see all kinds of marine animals. This is in Little Cayman.” After that, you can visit the conservation study to learn about the efforts they are making.

Upon returning to Grand Cayman Island, “you relax for a few hours on the beach, eat something and finally go on the bioluminescent tour,” a visit to the place where light-moving species and microorganisms are found in the water. “You are going to enjoy not only what is below you, but also the starry sky, so that it is a moment of reconnection and you return full of energy. On the last day you prepare to take the plane back to Panama”, the minister details.