Discussion
Anyone been and recommend a resort? Looking to go in the first 2 weeks of October. Some good deals around for circa £1,100 pp for 2 weeks all inclusive through Thomson.
Possible resorts include:
Montego bay
Ochos Rios
Negril (looks a bit isolated?)
Most are Riu hotels which I've never been to. Reviews seem mixed but largerly from Americans so almost as balievable as their current political situation.
Cheers
Possible resorts include:
Montego bay
Ochos Rios
Negril (looks a bit isolated?)
Most are Riu hotels which I've never been to. Reviews seem mixed but largerly from Americans so almost as balievable as their current political situation.
Cheers
Butter Face said:
Great place. I did 3 weeks there to get married.
Negril is great, long way from most of the other places but if you just want to do nothing for a week or so it's ace.
Negril is probably the best place to relax, just make sure you get a Hotel that backs onto the Beech. There are "Speed tours" that go to all the other sites.Negril is great, long way from most of the other places but if you just want to do nothing for a week or so it's ace.
However, be warned. Jamaica isn't for everyone, if you are outgoing and can deal with idiots you will have a good time.
If you don't like people constantly trying to sell you drugs and other s
te, having to haggle for everything and avoiding illegal taxi drivers, water sports operators just about everything illegal really then it's not for you.Just remember you are on Jamaican time "everything gonna be irie"
I had a f
king ball! vtecyo said:
V8A*ndy said:
if you are outgoing and can deal with idiots you will have a good time.
Do you mean locals driving under the influence of drugs and throwing chickens at each other, or holidaying americans having a drinking competition with Gaz and Shaz from Canvey Island?Three guys got out of a car with sticks and beat the feck out of him and handed the food back to the horrified tourists. The guys then returned to their cars and continued dancing to the tune of their car alarms in the car park.
The under cover Police who had supped up Golf Karts and raced along the Beech beating known crims with large sticks and telling us "we clean this beech up Mon!". The trip to Kingston that was cancelled due to a local battery factory having acid stolen and this being used to blind tourists in robberies.
The riots because Petrol went up 1p a litre (this was a bit scary).
and the mad American Woman who went nuts because of a Bat in her room. It was a Moth but to be fair it was a big Moth
The car wash that is actually a river you drive into. Only open on a Sunday.
I want to go back
Jamaica. Here is my take on it, I've been three times.
Also been to around seven other Caribbean islands and if you take the very best and very worst part of each, put them all one one island, It'd be Jamaica.
If you want the best beaches, scenery, weather, people, hotels, food, music then it's the place for you.
likewise it can be scary, there's a massive amount of poverty and crime, some real rough parts.
It's a big place and made bigger by the road network, the ones along the coast are OK but go inland and you are stepping back in time but i would recommend you do.
Get a decent map, get befriended by a trusty local and get out of your complex into the interior. Explore the Blue Mountains, buy some coffee at a tenth of the UK price, drink some Rum in a shack in a tiny village, play some dominoes (not Pizza!) go to a dance hall and feel the floor move. Get on the beach and have a swim in 30 degree sea, go to a local off licence (basically a shed) and buy some Wray and Nephew or Appleton special reserve for a couple of pounds. You can go right along the coast to Orocabessa, see firefly if you are a James Bond fan (or Noel coward)
Most people are related to Bob Marley (or claim to be) Everybody can get you anything.
If you want a taxi at 8pm book it for 6.30 and you might be on time :-)
After that, definitely go back to your exclusive resort, maybe Sandals and chill, you'll need it because jamaica can get pretty intense.
I love to explore and went to Trenchtown, Spanish Town, Kingston, Mandeville, Halfway tree, Tivoli gardens etc, i'm talking Yardie territory. Never had a problem but I can imagine most would not venture, for me, I loved it.
Also been to around seven other Caribbean islands and if you take the very best and very worst part of each, put them all one one island, It'd be Jamaica.
If you want the best beaches, scenery, weather, people, hotels, food, music then it's the place for you.
likewise it can be scary, there's a massive amount of poverty and crime, some real rough parts.
It's a big place and made bigger by the road network, the ones along the coast are OK but go inland and you are stepping back in time but i would recommend you do.
Get a decent map, get befriended by a trusty local and get out of your complex into the interior. Explore the Blue Mountains, buy some coffee at a tenth of the UK price, drink some Rum in a shack in a tiny village, play some dominoes (not Pizza!) go to a dance hall and feel the floor move. Get on the beach and have a swim in 30 degree sea, go to a local off licence (basically a shed) and buy some Wray and Nephew or Appleton special reserve for a couple of pounds. You can go right along the coast to Orocabessa, see firefly if you are a James Bond fan (or Noel coward)
Most people are related to Bob Marley (or claim to be) Everybody can get you anything.
If you want a taxi at 8pm book it for 6.30 and you might be on time :-)
After that, definitely go back to your exclusive resort, maybe Sandals and chill, you'll need it because jamaica can get pretty intense.
I love to explore and went to Trenchtown, Spanish Town, Kingston, Mandeville, Halfway tree, Tivoli gardens etc, i'm talking Yardie territory. Never had a problem but I can imagine most would not venture, for me, I loved it.
Edited by Thankyou4calling on Thursday 1st September 16:00
MX51ROD said:
Visit Dunns River falls, I laughed till my sides ached,never had so much fun
With my clothes on
And the rum party on the catamaran after was something else.
A tip for Dunns is that when you get to the top wait until a good few dozen tourists walk out in front of you.With my clothes on
And the rum party on the catamaran after was something else.
Edited by MX51ROD on Thursday 1st September 16:26
This means you don't get mobbed by as many "traders" on the way out.
Martha Brae River was really good.
YS Falls worth a look along with the Black River.
As for Catamarans, we found an American outfit that took a max of six people out and they really went sailing then a calm Sunset sail home. very safe and good fun.
The chap Charles that took us out snorkeling in his glass bottom boat fell asleep while steering the boat and we had to take over. Got a full half day out in that boat he was that stoned
ETA: If you go to Negril a taxi into town is about a £1 or less not £10 as it starts of at. If you want takeaway from any of the local traders Jerk Chicken/ Ice cream, befriend one of the workers in the Hotel. Donovan looked after our Hotel grounds and would go and get the food for a 1/4 of the price and he made money on top.
I had many a Burger and Jerk Chicken lunches on the Beech.
Ohh and the Beef stew it isn't Beef, it's usually Goat.
Edited by V8A*ndy on Thursday 1st September 17:15
Thankyou4calling said:
Jamaica. Here is my take on it, I've been three times.
Also been to around seven other Caribbean islands and if you take the very best and very worst part of each, put them all one one island, It'd be Jamaica.
If you want the best beaches, scenery, weather, people, hotels, food, music then it's the place for you.
likewise it can be scary, there's a massive amount of poverty and crime, some real rough parts.
It's a big place and made bigger by the road network, the ones along the coast are OK but go inland and you are stepping back in time but i would recommend you do.
Get a decent map, get befriended by a trusty local and get out of your complex into the interior. Explore the Blue Mountains, buy some coffee at a tenth of the UK price, drink some Rum in a shack in a tiny village, play some dominoes (not Pizza!) go to a dance hall and feel the floor move. Get on the beach and have a swim in 30 degree sea, go to a local off licence (basically a shed) and buy some Wray and Nephew or Appleton special reserve for a couple of pounds. You can go right along the coast to Orocabessa, see firefly if you are a James Bond fan (or Noel coward)
Most people are related to Bob Marley (or claim to be) Everybody can get you anything.
If you want a taxi at 8pm book it for 6.30 and you might be on time :-)
After that, definitely go back to your exclusive resort, maybe Sandals and chill, you'll need it because jamaica can get pretty intense.
I love to explore and went to Trenchtown, Spanish Town, Kingston, Mandeville, Halfway tree, Tivoli gardens etc, i'm talking Yardie territory. Never had a problem but I can imagine most would not venture, for me, I loved it.
Excellently put.Also been to around seven other Caribbean islands and if you take the very best and very worst part of each, put them all one one island, It'd be Jamaica.
If you want the best beaches, scenery, weather, people, hotels, food, music then it's the place for you.
likewise it can be scary, there's a massive amount of poverty and crime, some real rough parts.
It's a big place and made bigger by the road network, the ones along the coast are OK but go inland and you are stepping back in time but i would recommend you do.
Get a decent map, get befriended by a trusty local and get out of your complex into the interior. Explore the Blue Mountains, buy some coffee at a tenth of the UK price, drink some Rum in a shack in a tiny village, play some dominoes (not Pizza!) go to a dance hall and feel the floor move. Get on the beach and have a swim in 30 degree sea, go to a local off licence (basically a shed) and buy some Wray and Nephew or Appleton special reserve for a couple of pounds. You can go right along the coast to Orocabessa, see firefly if you are a James Bond fan (or Noel coward)
Most people are related to Bob Marley (or claim to be) Everybody can get you anything.
If you want a taxi at 8pm book it for 6.30 and you might be on time :-)
After that, definitely go back to your exclusive resort, maybe Sandals and chill, you'll need it because jamaica can get pretty intense.
I love to explore and went to Trenchtown, Spanish Town, Kingston, Mandeville, Halfway tree, Tivoli gardens etc, i'm talking Yardie territory. Never had a problem but I can imagine most would not venture, for me, I loved it.
Edited by Thankyou4calling on Thursday 1st September 16:00
I found the key to handling the Locals was respect and a lot were really interested that I was from Belfast though many asked if that was "near Manchester" and could they "buy my shoes".
Thanks.
I think a lot of people are put off Jamaica by headlines about crime or people who go and only step outside of their complex to go to a "Club" which isn't really a club but a sanitised version for tourists.
There's nothing wrong in going on an organised tour to say Dunns River but as you know paying $100 a head to be escorted doesn't cut the mustard.
I'd sooner get on a minibus (preferably a Manchester united one ;-) rock up and do it myself for $10 then swim down into the sea. AMAZING STUFF!
A lot of Brits go to Barbados and love it, i've been, but much of what they see isn't a lot different to going to an all inclusive in Tenerife.
Jamaica is incredible, get out and explore, yes be on your guard but show some respect, be confident and not cocky and you'll be fine. Maybe avoid Trenchtown and Tivoli gardens though if you aren't powerfully built !
Oh and the foooooooood! After that you won't bother with much else.
I think a lot of people are put off Jamaica by headlines about crime or people who go and only step outside of their complex to go to a "Club" which isn't really a club but a sanitised version for tourists.
There's nothing wrong in going on an organised tour to say Dunns River but as you know paying $100 a head to be escorted doesn't cut the mustard.
I'd sooner get on a minibus (preferably a Manchester united one ;-) rock up and do it myself for $10 then swim down into the sea. AMAZING STUFF!
A lot of Brits go to Barbados and love it, i've been, but much of what they see isn't a lot different to going to an all inclusive in Tenerife.
Jamaica is incredible, get out and explore, yes be on your guard but show some respect, be confident and not cocky and you'll be fine. Maybe avoid Trenchtown and Tivoli gardens though if you aren't powerfully built !
Oh and the foooooooood! After that you won't bother with much else.
Been to Jamaica again this year. This time we went to runaway bay, on the north. Previously been to Riu in Bloody Bay, top of Negril beach.
There isn't much that is going to happen to you if you stay to the tourist traps apart from being offered all sorts of stuff from tat to drugs. The really good thing is, if you say no thanks, they do not continue to hassle you like in European tourist resorts. Having said that, I got offered just as much gear in Mexico as Jamaica, just not as quickly (on the way to the transfer from the terminal
)
It is a lovely country, full of people that will do anything to make your stay better. Going up trees to get fresh coconuts for a dollar or two, sorting local transport and trips which is on time and reliable IME, and generally willing to chat and chill at any opportunity. If you go to a local club, take a local with you though, they are a bit odd. It helps a bit when we go because my other half is Jamaican Coolie Royale.
Negril is nice, good private beaches at the Riu but very American meaning that you get a good class of resort but have a lot of American cousins around you. Sea it hot hot hot, air is too and you can expect some good storms during the afternoon / evening. Runaway bay is more laid back, the resort we stayed in was less hotel and more huts on the beach. Was not American quality but good in other ways. All inclusive food is good, and appletons / wray and nephew rum and red stripe lager is absolutely fine. Wine is crap though. Things are dirt cheap outside, costume jewellery (Pandora style) food etc.
Report based trips are expensive but I reckon worth it as it gets you away from the rum and red stripe chill and more active. The cool runnings cat to Dunns River falls as stated earlier is worth it. Sometmes it is better just to hire a local driver for the day to do the more remote trips combined.
People talk about Jamaican crime and threat to tourists. Yes it can happen just like anywhere. While we were in Jamaica, we had the Nice lorry terrorism, a military coup in Turkey, lots of cops and citizens getting shot in America, and came home to a new Prime Minister just to re-enforce that.
Music is monocultural. If you don't like reggae, soul, RnB etc, you ain't getting anything else
I would go back in a heartbeat. Not sure whether I would go for Negril luxury or laid back though. Would depend on my mood I guess.
There isn't much that is going to happen to you if you stay to the tourist traps apart from being offered all sorts of stuff from tat to drugs. The really good thing is, if you say no thanks, they do not continue to hassle you like in European tourist resorts. Having said that, I got offered just as much gear in Mexico as Jamaica, just not as quickly (on the way to the transfer from the terminal
)It is a lovely country, full of people that will do anything to make your stay better. Going up trees to get fresh coconuts for a dollar or two, sorting local transport and trips which is on time and reliable IME, and generally willing to chat and chill at any opportunity. If you go to a local club, take a local with you though, they are a bit odd. It helps a bit when we go because my other half is Jamaican Coolie Royale.
Negril is nice, good private beaches at the Riu but very American meaning that you get a good class of resort but have a lot of American cousins around you. Sea it hot hot hot, air is too and you can expect some good storms during the afternoon / evening. Runaway bay is more laid back, the resort we stayed in was less hotel and more huts on the beach. Was not American quality but good in other ways. All inclusive food is good, and appletons / wray and nephew rum and red stripe lager is absolutely fine. Wine is crap though. Things are dirt cheap outside, costume jewellery (Pandora style) food etc.
Report based trips are expensive but I reckon worth it as it gets you away from the rum and red stripe chill and more active. The cool runnings cat to Dunns River falls as stated earlier is worth it. Sometmes it is better just to hire a local driver for the day to do the more remote trips combined.
People talk about Jamaican crime and threat to tourists. Yes it can happen just like anywhere. While we were in Jamaica, we had the Nice lorry terrorism, a military coup in Turkey, lots of cops and citizens getting shot in America, and came home to a new Prime Minister just to re-enforce that.
Music is monocultural. If you don't like reggae, soul, RnB etc, you ain't getting anything else
I would go back in a heartbeat. Not sure whether I would go for Negril luxury or laid back though. Would depend on my mood I guess.
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