Have you been on a Jamaica vacation/trip?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Recently I posted this:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=569539

And I think we've about made our minds up to go to Jamaica this time... we'd be leaving in just a few weeks!

Anyone who's been have any tips or advice/etc. that they'd like to share?

And also I'm getting conflicting info about passports. Everything I can find online relating to that mentions you CAN go with a DL and birth certificate but then some hotels in their info list that you need a passport? So which is it? We don't have passports and may not be able to get them in that short of a time- will certified birth certificates & DL's work?
(if not we'll probably have to go to Cancun-so you can see the importance of knowing this)
Has anyone gone to Jamaica without passports?

 

[helenabear]

bump

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DH and I go to Jamaica every year to the Sandals resort in Negril. We always use DL and Birth Certificates. We don't even own passports. What part of Jamaica are you going to? Where are you staying?

 

[chipscinderelly]

My family loves Jamaica - and my sister is marrying a Jamaican in November in Negril... it will be awesome!

Birth Certificates are fine - I use my passport cause it's easier but you should be fine!

 

[DopeyRN]

The birth certificate has to be a certified copy. No passport needed. Have fun!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Our birth certificates are certified with raised seals- so that should be fine then huh.

Thanks for answering about that!

roliepolieoliefan- we were thinking about staying in Runaway Bay. Thought about Sandals but it's just too expensive and we wouldn't take advantage of enough amenities to make the cost worth it. We are staying at all inclusive but we're basically just going to be laying on the beach, eating and maybe a little drinking (we don't normally drink- but then we aren't normally without our children or having to drive back home either LOL)... very little in the activities and stuff most likely. A relaxing vacation vs busy with activities- yanno?

We were thinking of staying at Club Ambiance...

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I've not ever heard of that resort since we are on the other side of the island as you are going to be. Thats what DH and I do, lay on the beach or at the pool, eat and drink for 1 whole week. Its great! Have fun! Do you plan on seeing any sights at all?

 

[scorpad99]

My husband and I go once a year to Jamaica, and stay at
sandals royal carribean. We absoulutely love it, make sure u do a few excursions and see things on the island.
One nice trip is called Martha Brae rafting, they take u on a wooden raft, very quaint and romantic thru a small river. We loved it.
Also another trip would be Dunns river falls, also alot of fun, hiking up natural waterfalls to the top. They give u a guide who will take pics of u and your hubby under breathtaking waterfalls.... they also videotape the whole experience, which you can buy for 25 bucks, they edit it to bob marley music, and its well worth it!
Ricks cafe is a must visit, they have a free fall jump from a 25ft cliff into the ocean, and they r famous for their sunset, we got to go this last trip and it was beautiful! Located in negril.
Margarittaville has trampolines in the ocean which r so fun to jump off of into the water!
Have a great time and make sure u get out of the resort and do things!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks again for all the comments!

We do plan on getting away from the resort- but not a LOT. We did that on our Cancun trip 10yrs ago and it was such a waste of money to pay for all -inclusive resort and then only end up sleeping there a few hours each night. Young and stupid... I guess. LOL

I was planning this cruise they show on expedia that includes Dunns River falls- as well as a dinner sunset cruise -and hoping to book fishing for DH (it's not showing on expedia as a choice with the pkg but reading online I see that might be an option somewhere while there- I will not be going with him for that though LOL) but that's pretty much it... MAYBE if we're bored we might venture out more than that- but doubt it.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Cancun is alot different from Jamaica. I hope you realize that. Cancun I feel is alot more commercialized. IMHO, you can walk through Cancun, find of ton of places to eat and drink, without a problem. Jamaica is also commercialized(they have a McDonalds and such) but I just don't like to venture out too much in Jamaica on my own for eating, shopping etc. Thats why we always do AI. The Jamaican people are wonderful, but the few times we did venture out on our own, it was very frustrating also. Dunns River was more of a sales pitch and a high pressure one at that, IMO. I agree the Martha Brae rafting is fun and we always go to Ricks cafe, you can't beat those sunsets. Another thing thats fun near Ocho Rios is the Dolphin Encounter. I swam with the dolphins last year. What an experience!

 

[Louise-Montreal]

No

 

[LtlTee]

We just stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay in March -- we absolutely loved it! The resort was beautiful, but the staff was exceptional and really made the vacation. Everyone was so nice! My husband keeps talking about making plans to go back. (Although this cuts into my Disney time!) I liked it much more than Cancun.
Oh, and we also just used our DL and raised seal birth certificates.
The hotels usually have packages set up with local fisherman for fishing excursions, so it's something that varies from hotel to hotel and probably won't show up online. Just check it out with the activities desk when you get there.
We went with 2 other couples. One couple said they would probably not go back -- they didn't enjoy the excursions off the property because of the pressure from the local people to buy stuff. If you can see past the high pressure (if that makes any sense), the local Jamaicans are so nice and it was really a pleasure talking to them.
Can you tell I really like Jamiaca?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for your posts! I really appreciate it!

I don't think we'll have a problem with high pressure to buy things/etc. For one I'm not one to blow money and don't really want to bring stuff back with us either! I'm not really into buying souvenier stuff... although you'd be hardpressed believing that on Disney trips but that's different... that's buying stuff for the kids that they want. LOL
(okay so YES, I have some Mickey jewelry.... it's still different. Disney is just different- okay? LOL)

They were very high-pressure at the markets in Cancun also.. didn't bother me. If I say no and walk away... they are wasting their time to continue to bring down the price or try to talk me into it. I'm hardheaded- no means no. LOL

 

[Big Dude]

I love Jamaica. Will probably go sometime this year again. Also have been to Cancun and loved that too. I stayed at an AI called Sunset Beach Resort and Spa. Not 5 star but not a dive either. I feel this place gives you the best bang for the buck. It's right outside of Mobtego Bay on it's own peninsula. Here is a trip report I created on one of my trips. (with pictures) You can pm me if you have any questions. I know quite a few people on the island.

Trip Report

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[WDWHound]

Mandy and I are returning to Jamaica in just over 2 weeks. This will be our 4th visit. We go to Couples Resort in Ocho Rios (a no kids allowed all-inclusive) because it is perhaps one of the most romantic spots on the planet.

You should be fine with just a certified birth certificate, but a passort makes things much easier. Also, there is a rumor (unconfirmed) that Air Jamaica is looking at requiring passports soon.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks again for the posts!

Big Dude... in the process of reading your trip report thread too. Thanks! All the pictures and your trip report is great so far.. and I'm sure I'll find more info on that website it's on too! I'd done a search -several in fact and hadn't come up with any boards like that. So thanks!

WDWhound- no way... just over 2wks from now you say? I'm going to PM you- we may be there at the same time! We're going in just over 2wks. It's a done deal now... we'll be going to Jamaica on the 4th for 6 nights. I'm excited... I hope we like it and have a good time!

 

[gdulaney]

You might want to check out Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville website before you go....if you find the "lost shaker of salt" you get a coupon for a free drink. I think it was a rum punch.

Ginny

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ginny- thanks for the hint. I found it.. but unfortunately my stupid printer decided to run out of ink so I can't print the darn thing! Ohwell.... LOL

WDWhound- I PM'd you but you never returned my PM. Ohwell... we'll be in Jamaica at the same time- but probably won't be able to meet up sometime now! LOL You're probably already gone.. and we're leaving for Jamaica in a few hours! We'll be in Ocho Rios some during this trip... but we're not likely to see you- wouldn't know if we did see you! LOL OH well.... such is life.

Hope you're having fun and hope we have fun too! I can't sleep... took the kids to my sister's last night at bedtime and then finished up packing. Had a rough week -kids first week out of school, weather bad so they couldn't play outside, trying to get everything ready for this trip (including packing for the kids to stay the week with my sister also) and our electricity has been out a lot because of storms. It was out almost 24hrs yesterday! But I'm finally packed and ready to go... when DH gets up in about an hour for us to take off for the airport. I'm excited- and can't wait to get there and lay on the beach and just relax..... without kids! Sounds awful doesn't it? But this is the first time in exactly 10yrs that we've gone anywhere without the kids... I think it's about time for a little alone time. LOL