| | JamaicaPage 1 of 2 (1, 2) | Just wondering if anyone has been to Jamaica and could inform me of what to expect.
I've read all kinds of things and heard all kinds of things from friends but i'd like to know your opinions as well.
I've heard Kingston is not a good place for a white person to go, as well as driving in Kingston is probably not the best idea.
We want to do the tourist things, but we'd also like to try and find some nice locations where they wont be so packed with tourists. Any suggestions?
We're going on the 16th of November, Are there any seasonal things going on around that time that might be interesting? Shows, Celebrations, Festivals etc.. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 11/7/2008 9:25:01 AM | Hi There,
Yeah I took a trip by myself to Ja a while back.. I've never been to Kingston but I wouldn't recommend going there unless you know a local who can guide you around. I went to Negril and that's where I'd go again.
You're booked for the 16th and don't have accommodations yet? Where are you flying in to? Kingston is on the opposite side of the island as Negril. Montego Bay is fairly close to Negril.
I can give you some good tips on Negril and a good message board, but on Kingston, not so much. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 11/7/2008 9:50:08 AM | Thats actually exactly where im going. We're spending 5 days all inclusive in Montego Bay, then staying 5 days in a villa in Negril.
However we want to see everything we can. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 11/7/2008 12:34:19 PM | Hiya,
Just had to reply to you as Jamaica gets such a bad reputation which I dont feel is warranted.
I visited Jamaica last year on a familiarisation trip with the Jamaican Tourist Board and I will say this, I cant wait to go back it was so good.
We had to go round loads of hotels checking out what they had to offer so we could sell it on return to the UK but hey this Country sells itself once you know what to expect.
We did not go to Kingston as we ran out of time but we did do a lot of the tourist/non tourist experiences including the zip slide, walking/hiking up a fast flowing waterfall swimming with dolphins couple of our guys were brave enough to jump off that mad high cliff.
Jamaica is such a romantic country and yeah like everywhere you go now, you will be offered drugs but you simply say no and they walk away.
I visited Ocho Rios, Montego Bay everywhere except Kingston and I loved every minute of it.
Let me know what you thought of it all when you get back as I am sure you will be as I was....in love with this country!
Enjoy xxx | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/20/2009 9:53:22 PM | | I went to Jamaica 7 years ago and it's a extremely lovely... I went for 3 weeks mind you. I didn't stay in any resorts as I've got family there but I did travel throughout the city quite a bit. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/22/2009 1:50:43 PM | The best thing , our money doudles over there
so if you take 1,000
there you will have 2,000.  | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/23/2009 12:03:26 PM | | I love Jamaica! Have been many times,the Island nation is home to some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I have only stayed at two resorts on the many trips there,I can't say enough for the fun we have had there. Hedo II and Hedo III are the resorts that i have been to,Great party and have met some the best folks around and many of them are great frineds today. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/23/2009 4:24:53 PM | | Pontoon guy...I wonder if we have crossed paths I've been to Hedo 3, all combined, 15 weeks since November 2004... and you're right....great place.. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/23/2009 7:30:07 PM | | hi... I have been to Jamaica to visit a dear friend... she took me around to some of the tourist spots as well as the local spots.. she would not let me drive, or take a cab and her home is guarded with pit bulls as she has quite the property... Nigril is lovely... I think other than being approached to buy things, day trips are fairly safe..... the fruit is wonderful, drink bottled water, avoid ice and bring change for the kids to buy treats... beautiful water and sand and the local businesses make it fun to shop there... I have heard only good things about the resorts... enjoy the sun and fun.. blessings, warmly Mona | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/24/2009 8:35:10 PM | Might have, I would guess about 20 weeks total between the two resorts, Hedo III was the summer stop jun,july and early august visits. And hedo Ii was the winter stop in feb, with a great groups the fluffernutters.
Thinking about another trip this year, if not going to go back in Feb 09 with the Fluffs!
Doug | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/26/2009 10:52:44 AM | Take a raft down the Martha rae river it is cool plus you can stop along the way at different vendors making yummy concoctions lol Jamaican people are wonderful and will do anything for you if you are respectful.
Watch out for outside fish fryers the results could be painful.
Bring your own emergency medical supplies.
The Sandels inn in Montego bay is wonderful small enough to get to know other people but not too large as you get lost in the shuffle. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 2/27/2009 11:01:30 PM | | Awww, I'm too late to tell you--go to Hedonism II. It's fantastic. Flat out the best party ever. I'd go every year if I could. | |
|
Liljoe
| | Joined: 7/17/2007
Msg: 13 | |
| Jamaica
Posted: 3/3/2009 7:15:07 AM | | I was in montego bay in 1994.It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been,and I travel ALOT!....The sandals resort there is great.In the states people are consumed with material possessions.In Jamaica, the people there are proud of their heritage, and what God has given them.They make the best of what they have to deal with.Its very nice.. listen to the crows call there.. its nothing like here.. they have a great lil tune like (kling-kling) not the ole KAW-KAW as we have here. | |
|
Liljoe
| | Joined: 7/17/2007
Msg: 14 | |
| Jamaica
Posted: 3/3/2009 7:16:09 AM | | OH--leave your cloat and long sleeve shirts at HOME.......its 70 to 90 degrees there year round. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 3/3/2009 6:43:52 PM | | I guess I'm the only one going to say she hated it. lol But then again it rained 10 out of the 14 days I was there. Being on a resort is best there, where people can't bug you too much. Negril you're going to get the shit harrassed out of you, be prepared to tell people to get lost. And as for Kingston, why would you even think of going there. A friend of mine grew up in Kingston, and she wasn't even allowed to leave the house as a kid. Just drink lots and smoke lots you'll have a great time. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 3/6/2009 1:54:45 PM | Sorry you didn't like the rain,Jamaica like most places does have a rainy season but a little investigation can get around this problem it rains about 15 minutes each day when we go to Hedo...everyone just swims up under the bar and orders another round, then the cloud passes and everyone heads back to the nude beach or pool and continues the party! | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/13/2009 10:18:43 AM | | Jamaica is a great place to visit the local are a bit more aggressive with there sales tactics but are very friendly people. the best place to go is och orios. they have dunns river falls, and dolphins cove. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/14/2009 8:01:43 AM | as a travel agent i can honestly say that i have never sold jamaica as a repeat destination..not once. my clients simply choose NOT to return...and i think that says a lot.
"hedo" resorts are an institution unto themselves, and in my opinion not a testimony to jamaica at all...they stand alone as a resort experience, NOT as a destination experience.
jamaica is one of "those" destinations, where staying on your resort is not only the safest choice, it's the most pleasant one as well...because the harassment, very pushy drug/trinket/sailing vendors and the frequent panhandlers make any attempt at a leisurely stroll through city streets impossible. often your polite refusal to a pushy offer will be met with an aggressive & loud demand for "respect"...ridiculous really, in a country that depends so heavily on tourist dollars.
negril and ocho rios do have lovely resorts, but unless you are the type of traveller who gets off the plane, takes the transfer to the hotel and then doesn't venture anywhere further than the beach for the remainder of your stay...i wouldn't recommend it.
i was robbed at knifepoint in montego bay...in broad daylight. 2 other agents were with me at the time...needless to say, none of us sell jamaica very much...and on the rare occasions we do, it is the absolute top quality luxury resorts only...with strong recommendations to remain within the resort gates at all times.
at this point, the entire country is a no-go for me...to the point where if i am on a cruise ship that is stoppping in jamaica, i don't even bother to get off the ship.
in my opinion, there are just so many other places to visit, that are safer and more exploration and tourist friendly, than jamaica is. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/17/2009 2:17:10 PM | You have to remember that you can be robbed at knife point right here in the good old safe usa! don't think you should let your bad experence cloud your judgement for others, it was a bad experence just like the ones people have all over the world.
Although i do tend to stay on the reservation mostly ( just due to the fact i have seen the other tourist places) and maybe to lazy to put clothes on! there are some wonderful places and exciting things to do for those that want to explore.
| |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/17/2009 5:48:54 PM | for sure i COULD be robbed at knifepoint in the US...although after 25 years of travelling through the states, it has never once happened to me.
on the other hand, it happened on my very FIRST trip to jamaica.
that unpleasant jamaica experience was not my only one: i went back twice more for one week stays, and also 3 additional times as a port stop on cruises. based on those additional trips, i say never again, for me personally.
however, i'm not trying to let "my" experiences cloud anyone's judgment, which is why i also mentioned that as a TRAVEL AGENT, i have not had a single client book a return trip to jamaica. this isn't a statement that reflects my experiences or judgments alone, but IMO, a rather strong indication of overall vacation satisfaction, or lack thereof, associated with jamaica.
my job gives me the opportunity to travel a great deal, and i also actively seek feedback from clients about their travel experiences...and while i agree that there are lovely sights to see in jamaica, and exciting things to do as well, the fact remains that it isn't among the safest places to do such things.
there are countless other travel destinations that offer just as much gorgeous scenery and exciting adventuresome excursions, minus the overbearing and pushy locals, and most of all the concerns for personal safety. | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/20/2009 5:14:28 AM | Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft (from BBC)
A man has hijacked a passenger plane in the Jamaican resort of Montego Bay, and is still holding five crew members hostage, reports say.
More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way on board the Canada-bound charter plane but all have now been released.
The man breached security and boarded as the plane was about to take off at around 2230 local time (0330 GMT).
Negotiations for the release of the hostages are said to be taking place.
"The situation is ongoing," said airport spokeswoman Elizabeth Scotton, quoted by the Associated Press.
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding is on his way to Montego Bay to take charge of the situation.
'No-one hurt'
The gunman reportedly checked in for the flight then forced his way past checkpoints and went on board brandishing a firearm.
He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. A shot was reportedly fired but no-one was hit.
Two of the passengers were held for several hours before being released, according to reports.
The charter airline that owns the plane, CanJet, said 182 people were on board, including 169 passengers.
"All passengers have been safely removed from the aircraft, but CanJet crew and the armed man remain on board," the airline said in a statement quoted by Reuters news agency.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said two of the crew had been released and five were still being held.
He told CNN the gunman was Jamaican, a "mentally disturbed young man" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba.
Most passengers were taken to a local hospital, some of them suffering from shock.
Police and security services have cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane.
Correspondents say security at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport is normally very good.
The airport, one of the most modern in the Caribbean, handles about four million passengers a year.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8007546.stm | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/20/2009 2:09:06 PM | Thankfully, they ended that standoff without any injuries or fatalities.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/20/cdn-plane-gunman.html | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 4/20/2009 10:53:19 PM | and what did that have to do with topic, crazy people abound everywhere.
I understand your feelings, and viewpoints but in defense Jamaican travel is booming as best it can be in these times and in over 20 trips to the islands i havee never had a problem...ok 1 time they ran out of grey goose in 1st class on air jamaica...but i still managed to have a great trip! lol
I am happy that you still have a good business as a few travel agent friends of mine have seen their business turn south as todays travel needs have almost eliminated the need for a travel profesional, I myself only really use them every now and then as a friend, as most of my needs i can do myself through the internet.
| |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 5/2/2009 11:39:36 PM | | Two friends and I are going to Montego Bay this June for 5 nights and are soooo excited. They've both been to Mexico, one only a few months ago, the other about two years ago. I've never been anywhere exotic, so I've no idea what to expect. We are staying at a resort and may be checking out Margaritaville and the falls too. I can't wait!!! | |
|
| Jamaica
Posted: 5/30/2009 4:03:17 AM | | montego bay is awasome you should try to make it to kingston and port royal though very fun places to see | |
|
Home
login 
