The village was so named for its rugged, surreal coral rock formations of eroded limestone and dolomite rocks found there. Stained black by algae, the sharp, pointy rocks are best avoided, but a stop at Club Inferno is a must — settle back and read the walls filled with hellish sayings.

Here is some useful information, particularly if you are a first-time visitor to the area.

Entry Requirements:U.S. and Canadian citizens require proof of citizenship and valid passport and a return or ongoing ticket and there is a $12 departure tax.

Getting ThereCayman Airways (800) 422-9626, American Airlines (800) 433-7300, US Airways (800) 622-1015, Delta (800) 221-1212, Iceland Air (345) 949-5252, Northwest (800) 447-4747, and Air Jamaica (800) 523-5585 offer service to Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman from the United States.

Getting around:Taxis are available and offer a fixed rate per vehicle or per person to all points on Grand Cayman. This information is available from the taxi dispatcher at the curb. Hotel vans cannot provide courtesy arrival pickup at the airport. In addition, small "buses," which are actually privately owned and operated 9 - 20 passenger minibuses and vans, offer passenger service along main roads in and out of George Town.

Accommodations:Lodging ranges from quaint guest houses to major resorts. Standard room prices vary from about $65 to $270 for double occupancy in the summer season.

Weather:If you plan on snorkeling at Stingray City, you'll enjoy the Cayman Islands' "perpetual summer," lying between latitudes 19 and 20 degrees north, in the heart of the Caribbean tempered by cooling trade winds. Temperatures are coolest during February, ranging from 64 to 72 degrees at night and 72 to 86 degrees during the day. Temperatures reach highs of 85-90 F during the summer months of July and August so you might not want to forget your sunscreen.

The water temperature at Sting Ray City ranges between 78 and 82 degrees in the winter months and from 82 - 86 degrees in the summer. Predictably, the rainy season starts in May and lasts through October, with May and October usually the rainiest months. March and April are usually the driest months of the year. You can call the Cayman Islands National Meteorological Service in George Town, Grand Cayman for a current weather report at (345) 945-5773.

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