Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands (Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands) (Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands)

The authors are well known travel writers who have published over twenty-seven books, and have updated numerous guidebooks for publishers such as Fodor's and Michelin.
In addition, they have authored over 1500 newspaper and magazine articles.

What is unique about this particular guidebook is that it places more emphasis on the adventure aspect, rather than the mundane listing of hotels, restaurants, and the other common guidebook material, although, there are ample references to the latter.

When I queried the authors as to why they had taken this approach they indicated that "the adventure aspect is one aspect that each island shares: good opportunities for adventure, whether visitors define that as scuba diving, hiking, snorkelling, or bird watching."

The organization of the book divides itself into five principal well-written chapters.
The introduction contains an abundance of useful and well-researched data concerning the history, geography, climate, flora and fauna, animal life, bird life, marine life, government, economy, and people and culture of the Cayman Islands.

The second chapter, entitled "Where are the Adventures," exposes the reader as to what is available on foot, in the water, on the water, in the air, on wheels, on horseback, eco-travel, cultural excursions, family adventures and packing for adventure.

The authors also have also included "Adventure Talks," where they interview various experts concerning such topics as diving in the Cayman Islands, eco-travel tours, and snorkelling adventures.

The remaining three chapters concern themselves with the 3 Islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Within these chapters there are important tips as to how to get around, sights and attractions, accommodations, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife, and beaches.
The authors' brisk, informative, and well-written text makes for an easy to read guide.

As an added feature, the guidebook contains a sprinkling of a few well-chosen photo images, some in color, and others in black and white.
There are also a few simple maps inserted into the text along with the photo images.
The end of the book includes useful web sites, a short bibliography and a helpful index.

Whether you are a first time visitor to the Cayman Islands, or a traveler, who has visited before, you will garner precious and valuable information upon reading this well organized guidebook.

Highly recommended.

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From local nature to taking dives and walking tours   December 9, 2001
 2 out of 6 found this review helpful

Patris Permenter and John Bigley's Cayman Islands appears in its second edition to explore the people, places, and underwater attractions of the islands. From local nature to taking dives and walking tours, this provides a variety of opportunities.


Great book!   November 15, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

My family and I just got back from a trip to the Cayman Islands, and this book helped before and during the trip! The airline and hotel information was great to plan how to get there and where to stay and the descriptions of the activities helped us decide what to see on the island! I'd recommend this guide to anyone!


Not the right book for the experienced traveler.   September 14, 1999
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

We were disappointed in the book. If you have ever traveled to an island before and have some idea of what to expect, then I do not recommend this book. We were able to find as much useful free information about the Caymans at the airport (rental car agency, whatever). The restaraunt guide in the book is extremely incomplete, and the descriptions of beaches and snorkeling locations needed to be much more specific to be worth the investment. As another reviewer alluded to, the lack of detailed maps is a serious drawback. If there was a roadmap and maps to snorkeling sites then I would have been partially satisfied. Unless you need to learn that Grand Cayman is a "world class SCUBA diving destination" I recommend learning the basics on one of the many internet sites and then picking up the freebies when you get there.