Anyone been to Jamaica before?

[Stealthdriver]

Me and my friend are leaving to Montego Bay this Saturday for a week. Im super stoked and really need the break from work/life and am set to relax. I also really want to experience the country and adventure a bit as well but I want her and I to stay safe. Anyone been before? Any advise on the do's/dont's of jamaica? :)

[Hammer]

Stay with tour groups. Do not try to go out on your own to experience the native Jamaica. Do not carry large cash amounts. Use credit cards or prepaid cards. The resorts have almost everything you will need and are safe and fun. Street vendors can be difficult. If you want to deal with them it can be fun. Wait til they are saying you are taking the clothes off his kids backs then bargin one more time to get best deal. Know your stuff, lots of fake items sold as the real thing. Great deals can be found. On all inclusive resorts do not tip anyone. Bring along some high fashion clothes, the top of the line resturants on the resorts have dress codes, but they do pamper you. My wife and I had 7 waiters just for our table taking care of every need. Be advised most resorts have seperate nude beaches. Do not get too excited mostly older folks on the nude beach.

I love the bar in the pool idea. Room service is excellent, lobster delivered at midnight to your room at your private pool with a musician quite fun. Most of all enjoy.
The front desk will have a schedule of off site group events for the day. The water fall hikes are fun. Boat trips with a swim are fun. Never tried the bike trip down the mountain or the coffee trip. Heard the bike and road are not in the best condition and injury is possible, so we skipped that. Enjoy the geckos at night they are like our crickets.

[ntcmpjg]

I went their when I was 16 with my mom it was fun but I cant help more then that

[Luke@tirerack]

three words ... Dunn's River Falls

[Stealthdriver]

Hey thanks a ton for the info Hammer and I've definitely heard good things about the Dunn's River falls. How reliable and easy is public transportation?

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Hammer hit the nail on the head. *rimshot*

Wife & I got married in Montego Bay. ;) Going back next yr for our 10 yr anniversary.

Public transportation...OMFG, I suggest you pop a vallium lol, these people drive like maniac rally drivers. Even a full size tour bus, they will pass anyone at any time. Fun, but scary at times. Seemed like every other billboard was something to do with speeding, haha. "Undertakers love overtakers" is the one that sticks out in my head.

Yes, Dunn's River Falls is a must.

Where are you staying?

Jeremy

[Stealthdriver]

Thats awesome! Must have a special place in your heart :). The Grand Palladium. Seems like a nice resort, 4 star all-inclusive.
http://www.grandpalladiumjamaicaresort.com/
Any other must sees there?

[beepbeep]

Stay with tour groups. Do not try to go out on your own to experience the native Jamaica. Do not carry large cash amounts. Use credit cards or prepaid cards. The resorts have almost everything you will need and are safe and fun. Street vendors can be difficult. If you want to deal with them it can be fun. Wait til they are saying you are taking the clothes off his kids backs then bargin one more time to get best deal. Know your stuff, lots of fake items sold as the real thing. Great deals can be found. On all inclusive resorts do not tip anyone.



+11ty billion.




Public transportation...OMFG, I suggest you pop a vallium lol, these people drive like maniac rally drivers. Even a full size tour bus, they will pass anyone at any time. Fun, but scary at times. Seemed like every other billboard was something to do with speeding, haha. "Undertakers love overtakers" is the one that sticks out in my head.

Yes, Dunn's River Falls is a must.


tada.

I think between the two of them, they covered everything you need to know to have a great trip. :)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Oh yeah, definitely the best time of my life.

We stayed at Sandals Montego Bay, which is where we will be going back to. We picked it due to being ultra all inclusive(tipping is prohibited and you can have whatever you want at any time), couples only, NO kids. We found out that all inclusive is not equal across the board when we went to the Moon Palace in Cancun. Only a few restaurants and all were a la carte. List of approved drinks, and tips were a must. Sandals totally spoiled us. My wife was always referred to as princess or me lady. A team of wait staff always around, pulling out your chair, placing your napkin in your lap, playing music, etc. Just an awesome expereince all around.

We took a catamarand boat trip to go snorkeling, and went to Dunns River. Beyond that, there was so much going on at the resort we didn't feel compelled to leave. :) Jamaica is awesome, you'll have a blast.

Jeremy

[Stealthdriver]

My staff pharmacist went to the Sandals Montego Bay for her honeymoon. Had a very similar experience it seems to yours, but they spent like 4-5K! This girl im going with found a sweet deal for $600 each which includes flight and the 6 night stay. Definitely want to check out the nicer resorts in the future but perhaps someone Im a bit more serious with ;) Anyways, thanks again for all the sweet advise, Ill try to bring back some work safe pictures ;)

[Hammer]

Hammer hit the nail on the head. *rimshot*

Wife & I got married in Montego Bay. ;) Going back next yr for our 10 yr anniversary.

Public transportation...OMFG, I suggest you pop a vallium lol, these people drive like maniac rally drivers. Even a full size tour bus, they will pass anyone at any time. Fun, but scary at times. Seemed like every other billboard was something to do with speeding, haha. "Undertakers love overtakers" is the one that sticks out in my head.

Yes, Dunn's River Falls is a must.

Where are you staying?

Jeremy

OMG the road trips around Jamaica. I wish I had vallium with me. If you can even call them roads some are so deeply rutted so narrow those busses pass oposite direction busses with less than 1 inch clearance between them at 65 MPH on rutted roads. So yea close your eyes and hang on.

[Stealthdriver]

I wanted to thank you guys again for the great advise. We had such a great time out there, didn't want to come back :)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Awesome, that's exactly how we felt too. :)

Jeremy