Jamaica question

[gdulaney]

I know this isn't a "Disney Cruise" question, but this HAS to be the most well-travelled bunch of folks that I know. Plus, I always get the best cruise tips here, so here goes...

My husband won a trip to Jamaica and we are flying to Montego Bay for five days/four night. Does anybody have any advice of what to see, where to go (where not to go), etc?

I would really appreciate any advice.

Thank you!!
Ginny

 

[rmbreset]

If you are staying at an all inclusive, stay in the grounds. Jamaica has more than its share of crime, if you travel "in country" I'd be careful, you know common sense stuff like avoid driving at nights, avoid most of Kingston, etc. here is the offical poop

Jamaica is struggling to lift its sagging economy, dominated by the sectors of tourism, agriculture and bauxite mining, which has suffered from negative growth in recent years. Amid the island's economic woes, Jamaica continues to struggle with a flow of illegal narcotics and an alarming growth in violent crime. Its crime rate is among the highest in the Caribbean. Violence has become increasingly common. In 2001, approximately 1,200 murders occurred; current statistics show that the rate will likely be higher for 2002. Most violent crime occur in the capital of Kingston and are attributed to gang activity. Petty crime is rife in resort areas. Violent crime has traditionally been lower in the northern coastal towns of Montego Bay, Port Antonio and Ocho Rios, although more criminals are targeting these areas because of the high number of tourists.

Driving is unsafe and unsecure in most parts of the country. For safety purposes, keep windows rolled up and doors locked at all times. As a rule, avoid nonessential nighttime drives on isolated roads as heavily armed robbers sometimes ambush motorists. Completely avoid public transportation; it is unreliable and a major venue for crime. Private, hotel taxis and a private car with driver are the most secure means of transportation.

Large-scale civil unrest is low and of little threat to travelers. Jamaica's political system, based on the British model of democratic parliamentary government, has remained fundamentally stable since its establishment in 1962. However, elections traditionally have been surrounded by violence. Even outside of election periods, Jamaica is prone to surges in civil unrest; rioting can occur with little warning. There is no evidence to suggest that international terrorism is a concern in Jamaica.

 

[Samsma]

Montego Bay seemed to be a little dirty, and a little dangerous even in broad daylight. I'd skip downtown for sure, and try to get a tour guide to show you around. The hotel should be able to help you with this. Go to Dunn's Falls, and check out all the beautiful beaches! Sounds like a lot of fun, especially since you're not paying! The locals can be very aggressive, but some are also very nice. We had a great cab driver, very friendly, waited for us to shop all day. I could have listened to him talk all day! Irie, no problem mon, etc.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Dunnes River Falls is nice, but packed, and a complete rat-race if cruise ships have just unloaded into port! Wall to wall people. They were trying to herd us all up the falls in a huge line of dozens (if not hundreds) of people!!! We stayed at a fairly nice all-inclusive at Ocho-Rios (which we really enjoyed!), so Dunnes River Falls was right there. But, from MoBay, it would have to be a tour or a drive for you.

I much more enjoyed our tour to Negril! Nice beach. Our tour spent the afternoon there at at beachside grille type place. They were serving up big plates of jerk chicken or pork with Jamaican beans and rice. But before we saw how good that looked, we had just ordered a burger! We rented a jet-ski... the tour ended the day at that well known hangout (can't for the life of me remember the name of it now! A man's name....) where people gather to watch the sun set into the sea while they eat, drink, and be merry. This is the area where there are gorgeous rock bluffs that drop into the clear blue Caribbean, where people jump into the sea. This day was the highlight of our short trip. It has been years now since we went, and I still look at our absolutely INCREDIBLE pictures!

We stayed at a nice reputable place, and toured to Negril with a major reputable tour company. Both actually I think were American owned, at least they operate here in America. As long as you stay within these types of boundaries, you can have a wonderful and safe time!

I remember sitting at the pool with one of the several frozen fruity drinks that we enjoyed... A jamaican employ of the resort walked by and smiled and asked how we were doing... After only a day or so on the Island, I was comfortable enough to reply in the perfect Jamaican accent "Irie'Mon...Irie!!!"


PS: definately avoid smaller operations, and so called sight-seeing and shopping tours... They just take you to be hounded by locals to buy stuff. In this type of situation, tourist are just 'bait'.

 

[kajohn]

My husband and I were married in Jamaica in 1994 at Couples resort in Ocho Rios, so I may be a bit biased, but I love Jamaica.

We went back on a cruise in 2000, again to Ocho Rios. Any place you travel you should be on guard, but I found the people there to be very nice, and I love their accent. I could listen to it all day long! People are sometimes very pushy trying to sell stuff, but please remember that that is the way they make their living. If it wasn't for tourists, they would have almost nothing.

It is a very beautiful island, and as long as you are staying at a reputable resort, I think you will have a wonderful time.

 

[gdulaney]

Wow!! Thank you for all the great advice. We're staying at the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in MoBay (thank goodness hubby's work is picking up the tab...we would never be able to afford someplace like that). We are scheduled for one excursion (dolphin swim) and they have already worked out all of our breakfasts and two dinners...we are on our own for a couple of lunches and one dinner. Any suggestions for a really nice place for dinner?

Again, thank you for all the help!!! The DISboarders come to the rescue again!!

Ginny

 

[Wishing on a star]

Wow, sounds nice!

It has been a long time now, and I am no expert. But, seems like if I were staying at the Ritz, I would not want to venture out to MoBay on my own just for supper. Since it appears that the beach at the Ritz is not the absolute greatest, my only suggestion for Dinner would continue to be an excursion to Negril to, I think it is called, Ricks for dinner and sunset. (if that is available and would meet your schedule...) Can you contact the Ritz and ask for their suggestions? I would imagine that they would know best!

Also, you could pull up trip reports on the Ritz on some of the travel sites, if you have not done that already.

You will have a great time in Jamaica!

 

[gdulaney]

Great idea - I'll start checking out the trip reports. We were planning on checking with the folks at the Ritz, but also wanted to see what other folks recommended.

Thank you!!
Ginny

 

[kajohn]

You could also try http://www.cruisecritic.com they have a section on the boards for ports of call, if you go to jamaica port you might find answers to some of your questions as well as other ideas of what to do.

 

[gdulaney]

Thank you for the web address...I'll pull it up in a few minutes!

 

[S. C.]

I agree with everyone else, while jamaica is nice be careful.

We were there in 1998, we cruises there on carnival. While on board during the talk about the ports we were told to ONLY ( they stressed it) use the taxi cabs with the red liscense plates, that it was the only ones they felt safe with. they also talked crime & drugs are bad there. Said if you buy srugs from a dealer there that the dealer will then turn you in to the police, you will go to jail and the police will give the drugs back to the dealer to wait for his next victim.

When we got to the port it was fenced in and they were only letting the cabs with red plates in to pick up passengers. only port i've seen fenced in like that.

We went to dunns river falls it was great. upon coming out they route you to walk by all the venders, first to aproch us was a man who said come over here & look at my little shop. we said no thank you and kept walking to which he replied, come on see my little shop it will only take a minute, it is in the trunk of my car.
at that we again said no thank you & walked away MUCH faster.
also they had it to the same driver who took us & dropped us off is the same one who later picked us up.

 

[gdulaney]

Wow! I've only been to Jamaica once...it was almost 18 yrs ago and I had just graduated from high school. We docked in Ocho Rios and did the Dunns River Falls. I was shocked by the armed guards that were walking around...I'd never seen anything like it (especially in person...TV is another thing!).

Thank you to everybody for the tips and advice. I'm so excited!!!

Ginny

 

["Ginger"]

It's been along time since I was there also but I do remember the armed guards. We stayed at an all-inclusive it was great. They were very protective of their guess. Everytime we wanted to go tour another part of the island someone from the resort took us. We did go to Dunns River Falls and had a great time. I don't think Jamaica is an island you can go freely about on. Please be careful.

 

[gdulaney]

Ginger, you're probably right. Naive, first-time visitors should probably not venture too far without a good travel guide. We'll probably stick close to the resort...with a few brief excursions.

 

[nedleycan]

We have been to Jamaica 3 times in the past 9 years. We went once before kids, then twice with the kids. We never found it dangerous, but maybe we were lucky. Dunns River is fun, just find out when the cruise ships are in and avoid that day.
We went tubing down a river last time we were there and loved it.
Your hotel is beautiful. We have never stayed there, but I have seen it. We have stayed at Braco Village, Holiday Inn Sunspree and FDR Resort (great place!)
Have fun!

 

[gdulaney]

I'm so excited!!!