Caribbean Island -- Jamaica
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Caribbean Island -- Jamaica
STONEY CREEK TRAVEL Weaverville / Asheville, NC
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JamaicaTrip Planning Guides for each city with information on hotels, sightseeing, shopping, country facts, and more
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Jamaica is one of the most lovely of all Caribbean islands for an island vacation -- with its rich tropical foliage, beautiful white sand beaches, and turquoise seas. It is a tropical picture postcard.
Everyone comes to Montego Bay, because that's where the airport is located in Jamaica. You will be given an immigration card to complete which will be turned in when you get to the airport. You'll go through Immigration and Customs. If you have a scheduled transfer to your hotel, look for your driver or the hotel desk. Most transfers are done through the main transportation company, JUTA. It is recommended that when using a taxi for transers or day trip tours, you use JUTA, and you can always identify them by their red license plates.
Most of the Montego Bay resorts are only about 15 - 20 minutes from the airport, which is very convenient if you're only spending 3-4 days in Jamaica. The drive to Negril is about 1 hour -- but the road is good and it is very scenic, with water views almost the entire way. The drive to Ocho Rios is a good 2 hours or more and there is road construction. It's hard to say when the road will be completed since money is an issue.
If you are staying in Montego Bay, I heartily recommend staying in an all inclusive resort with a private beach. You really don't want to be wandering around Montego Bay on your own. The Hip Strip is one place where you might want to visit, however -- even if you're staying at an all inclusive resort. Yes, it's a tourist trap, but a fun one. Shop at street vendor huts, eat, jam, and have some great beach time at Aqua Sol on Fletcher Beach where you'll find go-karting, banana boats, jet skis, parasailing, kayaks, pedal boats, glass bottom boat rides, snorkeling, beach volleyball, tennis - and awesome jerk food. Marguaritaville is located here and a disco. Coral Cliff Casino also on the Hip Strip has slots and free drinks.
There are many sightseeing tours you can arrange through your hotel or through Stoney Creek Travel:
- Barnett Estate Tour: This is one of the best tours on the island. Barnett Estate used to be a great plantation of 3000 acres. Tours today give a glimpse into the past with guided tours led by costumed docents. Belfield House is also located on the estate.
- Greenwood Great House: Once the home of the Barrett Family (Elizabeth Barrett Browning).
- Rose Hall Great House: Home Annie Palmer, the White Witch (Voodoo Priestess) and is reported to be very haunted. Legend has it the plantation mistress killed 3 husbands and several slave lovers before a slave lover killed her.
- Rocklands Feeding Station, a bird sanctuary where you can hand feed grassquits, saffron finches, and hummingbirds.
- Craft Market: Falmouth, Jamaica isn't too far from Montego Bay. Wednesdays there is a market selling clothing and crafts. Firday and Saturday you can buy fruits and vegetables.
- Other not to miss sites are Glistening Waters and Luminous Lagoon where you can take night boat rides in the shimmering water.
- Other popular excursions are snorkeling, diving, river rafting, and horseback riding. One of the best snorkel areas is at the Marine Park with its sponges, colorful coral, graceful fans, and countless fish.
- Shopping: Good upscale shopping can be found at Half Moon Village which has a new attraction -- the Bob Marley Experience, a documentary on his life and music.
- My favorite shopping area in Montego Bay isthe Holiday Village Shopping Center across from Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort. There are several shops with a good selection of merchandise -- no hard sell, and good prices.
- Golf courses are abundant in Montego Bay: Half Moon Golf Club is one of the island's best par 72 course. Ironshore is a links-style 18 hole course. Tryall Golf Course was built on a 19th century sugar plantation and if the official PGA tour course in Jamaica. Wyndham Rose Hall is on the grounds of historic Rose Hall Great House. If you stay at a SuperClubs Resort, golf green fees are free at Ironshore.
Twenty years ago Negril was a small fishing village. Today, the town still is very small, but there are a seemingly endless number of, mostly all inclusive, resorts lining 7-Mile Beach and Bloody Bay. The beach is walkable for miles and miles, past resort after resort. And, the sunsets here are truly memorable. You will probably find less aggressive vendors here than in Montego Bay.
You will want to use taxis here, because even though there is just one main road through town -- Norman Manley Blvd., there are no sidewalks. Police Jeeps patrol the beach area 24/7. There are many undercover cops patroling also.
The most popular excursions from Negril are:
- YS Falls which is as beautiful as Dunn's River Falls in Ocho RIos Jamaica but is not as commercialized -- it is pristine and quiet.
- Mayfield Falls is a good nature spot where hiking is possible up the river with a bamboo bridge crossing a gorge.
- Anancy Fun Park in Negril features an 18-hole miniature golf course, go karting, a carousel, power wheels, pontoon paddelboats, and fishing for kids.
- Appleton Estate on the South Coast, not too far from Negril has tours of the distillery and visitors receive (I'm told) a free bottle of rum.
- Horseback riding is available at Rhodes Hall Plantation with guided tours through banana and cocnut groves, into the hills, and onto the beach.
- There is one golf course in Negril: Negril Hills.
- Shopping is available at Times Square (Duty Free) and at the Negril Craft Market. The craft market is an interesting experience and is fun. You'll find good craft items if you take the time to poke around. Bargaining is expected -- start at about 1/2 the listed price.
- Nightlife: Alfred's Ocean Palace -- a genuine beach bar with shows on the beach. There are many night spots in Negril. Cars with loud speakers will announce which one is the "hot spot" for the night.
Ocho Rios is another popular tourist spot in Jamaica. There is plenty of shopping in town. Tajmahal, open air mall, is the most popular upscale market. There are also two craft markets off Main Street: Ocho Rios Craft Park with 154 vendors and Olde Market Craft Shoppes with plenty of handmade items.
Wassi Art Pottery Works in on the east side of Ocho Rios. Factory tours and shopping are available.
Sightseeing tours from Ocho Rios:
- Firefly: Historic home of playwright Noel Coward
- Coyoba River Garden & Museum has Arawak Indian displays and shows the development of Jamaica through the years. There is also Bob Marley exhibit.
- Cranbrook Flower Forest: Beautiful park where you can see the lush beauty of Jamaica without the crowds. It is perfect for a picnic, and you can hike along the Great River. A path climbs into the hills to a wonderfully beautiful waterfall. While visiting Cranbrook Flower Forest you can bird watch, pond fish, play croquet, take a donkey ride, or play volleyball.
- Shaw Park Botanical Gardens features 25 acres of lovely gardens, a stunning waterfall, and great bay views.
- Dunn's River Falls is a beautiful waterfall that you can climb. There is also a craft market. Very touristy and crowded, but a "must see".
- Prospect Plantation is a working fruit and vegetable farm that gives tours.
- Fern Gully is a 3-mile drive through a lush rainforest. There are craft vendors set up along the road side and here is where you can meet "Jack In The Woods."
- Chukka Cove Equestrian Center offers guided horseback trips along the beach and in the mountains. You can take a 3-hour ride that includes a beach ride and goes through 2 sugar estates.
- Golf: Sandals, SuperClubs Grand Lido Braco, and Breezes Resorts have golf courses.
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours offers an 18-mile downhill bike ride through the Blue Mountains and tropical rainforest. Tours include brunch, lunch, refreshments, bike rental, and a dip in a waterfall pool.
- Snorkeling, Scuba diving, and deep sea fishing excursions are available in Ocho RIos also.
- Nightlife: Marguaritaville, downtown
Money Issues: US Dollars are widely accepted in Jamaica. You probably will get a better rate if you use Jamaican dollars; however, it's usually a hassle to get dollars changed; so most tourists just use American dollars. If you do decide to use Jamaican dollars, you will get the best rate at Cambios, located in tourist spots throughout Jamaica. Be sure to save your receipt so you can change unused Jamaican dollars back to US dollars. DO NOT use street vendors for dollar exchanges.
ATMs don't always work -- they should at resorts.American Express Traveler's Checks are widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted at high-end tourist spots but not at craft markets, etc. Be sure to take a lot of small bills -- $1 and $5 plus some $10 and $20 -- nothing bigger. Jamaicans never have change.
Climate: Very temperate year around. WInter can range from 68F to 86F. Summers from 77F to 90F. Rains are common in the fall but it's usually a quick shower and then the sun shines again.
Weddings -- Getting married in Jamaica: Jamaica is one of the easiest islands to get married in. For more information visit Weddings and Honeymoons.
Safety: Jamaica is a poor country which can promote a criminal element. However, criminal elements can be found where ever you travel. How about our own country in large cities such as New York City, Chicago, Miami, etc! The easiest way to address this issue is "don't leave your common sense at home." I have never felt afraid in Jamaica and have found the majority of the local residents to be very friendly.
Jamaica has gotten a bad reputation from past guests due to vendor harrassment of tourists by locals. Locals from Montego Bay and Ocho Rios seem to be biggest offenders. However, if you keep in mind that this is the only way for many Jamaicans to make a living, you can feel less "put upon" when approached. Most of the time a simple "no thanks" will work.
Also, Jamaicans are quite savvy about who they approach. If you look like an inexperienced traveler who is unfamiliar with his surroundings, they look upon you as someone who would be easy to hustle.
The last time I was in Jamaica I said to the driver I hired for the day, "I have been in Jamaica in the past and never have been approached to buy drugs, but I've heard and read that people have been." He said to me, "You don't fit the profile. Usually they are looking for younger, party-type persons, or younger sophisticated types looking for fun." Well, since I'm not a young chickee anymore and I guess I fit the younger, sophisticated image, that's probably why I wasn't approached.
As in any Caribbean island, however, the sales approach from vendors is strong. You almost feel compelled to buy. If you even look at an item, they'll start wrapping it up for you. Dominican Republic is even worse than in Jamaica. Steel yourself before venturing out, and keep repeating over and over to yourself, "No, thank you. I don't need that." It makes it easier when you are shopping. Don't say, "I'll think about it or I'll just look around or I'll maybe be back." They will remember you, and expect you to buy later.
Recommended All Inclusive Resorts in Montego Bay. Jamaica
Recommended All Inclusive Resorts in Negril, Jamaica
Recommended All Inclusive Resorts in Ocho Rios and
Runaway Bay, Jamaica
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