Pirates Week Festival

For 11 days in November, Grand Cayman is transformed into a nonstop, fun-filled festival. The annual Pirates Week Festival (www.piratesweekfestival.com) is the country's largest celebration, encompassing more than 30 different events including a kids' fun day, float parade, autocross, landing pageant, and underwater treasure hunt. You'll also encounter street dances, five heritage days (where various districts showcase their unique craft and culinary traditions), fireworks, song contests, costume competitions, cardboard-boat regattas, golf tournaments, swim meets, races, and teen music nights.

Everyone gets involved in the high-spirited high jinks (e.g., dive boats stage mock battles and play practical jokes like filling the decks of "rivals" with cornflakes or jam, while swashbucklers "capture" hotel employees and guests). The opening night is an explosion of fireworks and rollicking bands before crowds of thousands in the George Town streets. Later in the week, another highlight is the mock pirate invasion of Hog Sty Bay and the spirited defense of the capital, culminating in the buccaneers' trial and extravagantly costumed street parades with ornate floats.

Most of the major events are free. The music sizzles, and the evening functions feature delicious, affordable local fare (turtle stew, conch, jerk chicken). Given the enormous popularity of the festival, travelers should reserve hotel rooms and rental cars well in advance. Even taxis are scarce for those wanting to attend the farther-flung heritage days. Hotels, shops, and the festival's administrative office do a brisk biz in corsair couture (you can bring your own stuffed parrot and patch, but leave the sword at home).