Have you ever been to Jamaica? What sights would you suggest we see or activities to do that you had fun at? Did you try any native food that you really liked or didn't like?
We are going to celebrate our 38th anniversary. I wanted to take my wife to Greece, but they are having too many problems right now. So we are going to Jamaica. She asked me to make it a surprise so she still doesn't know where and we leave Friday at 8 pm from LAX. Its been hard to keep it a secret.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
We're back. Had a wonderful time in Jamaica! Spent almost all day in the ocean every day. The water was very clear and was as warm as tepid bath water. Saw manta rays (3' and some little ones about 5") star fish and lots of other fish. Had lobster caught on the reef for dinner. I had a steel drum band coming for the 28th, our 38th anniversary, but it rained and they didn't come.
We had a wonderful time. Our cottage was about 50' from the surf. I had locals bring me fresh caught fish and we cooked them in our kitchenette for dinner. We gave him about $10 for fish and $20 for three large lobsters. We had Jamaican jerk chicken and pork. My wife said I cooked chicken better than the first place we got chicken from. The second place did it very well. We went back there several times. It rained for about 30 minutes every day, but before and after it was beautiful and the rain never interrupted any of our activities.
The bad . . . every third Jamaican wand to sell me grung (pot). I was amazed at the number of people selling pot. The Jamaican minimum wage is 5000$J ($J = Jamaican dollars) per week, about $60 american. And things are so expensive compared to here.
We took 3 16oz bottles of SPF 50 sun block. We used up 2.5 bottles. So we made it all the way without serious sunburn. ;~))
I lost 4 lbs ! ! ! !
I'd go back any time. My wife wants to visit Yellowstone and we want to go on a cruise through the Panama Canal, so it may be a couple of years from now before we go back.
If anyone reading this wants to go and has questions, just ask or e-mail me.
My best friends parents went a few years ago. They really enjoyed it.
However, they decided that since they had never tried it, they smoked weed for the first time...apparently they don't recommend it. :)
Wait, no topless beaches this year?! BAHAWAHA! Sorry, couldn't resist.
I am a beach slut, all I want to do is hang on the beach, take a walk, drink whatever's in the cooler, go for a dip, catch some rays....so yeah, this would be an ideal gift for me.
PLUS, I'm a foodie, and I would enjoy those island offerings.
No I have never been there, sigh.
I hope you have a BLAST, and let us know how it went!
:)
Be very careful if you go outside of the resort. There are pickpockets everywhere, and the drivers drive like maniacs around curvy, mountainous roads. People die in these wrecks, especially those involving buses. Hopefully you will have the resort get you a decent driver.
The jerk pork is very spicy. Ackee is a wonderful dish, but make sure you get it at the resort because if it isn't picked properly, you can die from eating it.
Don't walk on side streets - just on main roads. An executive in a firm I used to work for walked onto a side street in Kingston and several men came up to him, robbed him, and bashed in his skull. He lived, but has a steel plate in his head even today.
Be aware that anyone who offers to help you with anything expects a tip. And you should give it. Even if it's picking coconuts for you. And some people expect to get paid if you take a picture of them.
Banana boats like Errol Flynn made popular are a lovely way to enjoy the rivers. Again, expect to tip the people in the river who play music for you. Make sure you use 50 SPF sunscreen or you will get badly burned, even under your eyes.
They will negotiate with you some in the markets if you are of a mind to haggle. If you don't want to buy something, smile and tell them how nice their products are. They actually may have MADE what you are looking at and they take pride in that and it upsets them if you don't show some appreciation for it.
If ANYONE tries to sell you drugs, DON'T have any discussion with them about your personal views. You do not want to piss off someone who deals in drug trafficking. I really mean that - no cute remarks either, B.. Just shake your head no, and walk quickly away without looking at him.
Have a good time, but be very careful to be safe.
Dawn
Ive been there a few times. The first was to a Sandals resort in Ocho Rios & the second was just last September on my honeymoon. We went to Falmouth, just outside of Montego Bay. Montego Bay has Dunns River Falls that you can climb (they take pictures & video for a small fee) & they have a Jamaican market you can shop for goods afterwards. They also have Chucca Blue Tours where you can horseback ride into the surf, zip ties, just all kinds of touristy stuff. Do your research, jamaica is a beautiful place but its a tough life there. I suggest you dont go ANYWHERE with the locals unless they are part of a guided tour. The resorts are very American with a Jamaican flair and most resorts will have an activities booth with excursions that will go several places or just into the markets. Also the resorts have cabbies that will take you where you want to go. There are a LOT of beggars & as soon as you tip, they hound you until you feel unsettled so be careful. I caution your wife about getting her hair braided from the huts. Stick to the salon on the resort. Jamaicans are friendly people with a lot of hospitality but they can be overwhelming when they are trying to make your american dollar. They are usually more hounding when the lady is with you b/c they know women like to shop =) She hear "Hey beautiful lady, you are a movie star," etc.. at least a thousand times. The chicken patties & jerk chicken was TO DIE FOR. We stayed in an all inclusive resort both times so the food was in abundance (as well as the rum lol) Have a great time!! Stay safe & enjoy.. Its a beautiful place =) Oh & SPF SPF SPF!!!
Jamaica is very nice. I lived with my dad there one summer. We did not live on the resort side.... We were in Kingston and got a full experience of everyday life there as a resident.
I've not been to the resorts but I saw and experienced some beautiful sites, culture, etc. We loved the jerk chicken sold on the street. I guess it's amazing we didn't get sick!!
I'd love to return someday to the resort areas!!! Let us know how it gies and where you went!
Congratulations!!
Never been but how exciting and sweet of you to plan all this as a surprise for her! Cant wait to hear the suggestions from everyone, and hear all about it when you get back. Take pictures.. Have a great time, and congratulations.. We will be at 37 this November!
I don't have any suggestions....sorry!
Just wanted to say Happy Anniversary and hope you have a wonderful time!!
We went to Jamaica on our honeymoom several years ago. It was my first time away from home, so I was kind of terrified, and also captivated. Flying in was an experience because it looks like you will go right off the runway into the water. When we got off the plane we were immediately offered drugs. Being a rural MO girl, I didn't expect this! But when we got to the resort it was really lovely. The staff was kind and gave us good advice about where to go, and not go. We met a sweet couple from Tennessee and they were kind of our buddies for most excursions. Dunn's River Falls is beautiful. Ocho Rios was the big shopping place, but I enoyed the tours more. I remember riding a small bus to and from different places and seeing children on the side of the road selling bunches of fruit. I got a bad sunburn and when we walked out of the resort area a man bent down and started rubbing an aloe plant on my leg and said to my husband, "You give me something!" It is a very different culture and mixes the good and the bad just like anywhere. My favorite place was a hammock on the beach near the most crystal blue water I have ever seen.
Dawn offered some excellent advice! Plan ahead and it will be a wonderful place to visit. Oh, and I wasn't too adventurous with the food because I didn't know what anything was and I choke on spicy things. In all of the pictures we took of our room there is a little box of Corn Flakes I bought at the commisary. A little touch of home is good no matter where you go!
Safe travels and happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you and your Mrs.! :)
We have never been there, but I wanted to say congratulations to you and your wife! 38 years, wow. Maybe take her to Greece for your 40th? Have fun :)
Congrats!
Check out their website.
Every State/Country, typically has a "tourism" website.
Boy, your Anniversary sounds like fun!
Mine is coming up soon.... 14 years.
Don't have any ideas yet!
Try to educate yourself about the culture before you go. It is not America and you have to go with an open mind and don't compare. Jamaica has it's share of crime like any other country, so it's just common sense to be safe. Mix and be friendly with the locals and don't be "touristy", you will become target.
Remember, tourism is a large part of Jamaica's economy, so it's only natural tourists will be haggled for "income". The "beggars" are not necessarily poor..they are just hustling to make a living!
Enjoy your trip. It will be lots of fun!
My best friend has been. She loved it.
I have never been...It is one of the few places on my Bucket list to go see before I kick it.....I would go for the Rastafarian experience...Just to see how different it is from the stuff you can get here.
I would recommend getting one of those traveling wallets you wear underneath some of the layers...They sell them pretty much every where now days. That way you dont have to worry to much about pick pockets.
Above all else have fun take photos and Wow what a lucky woman you have!! How much fun is that!!
We are celebrating our 7th anni this coming Sunday...Nothing special for us yet...Once the kids are older:)
Montego Bay for honeymooners of any age. It is an area away from things that has/had a private beach that you swam in. They had private cottages and rooms.
Ocho Rios with Dunns River Falls and local tours. Take a tour of the local areas.
Kingston is large and a city but you can/could get around in it. The shopping plazas were huge.
It has been many years since I have and several friends been there and it was very pretty and colorful.
Have a good time and happy anniversary.
The other S.
PS Do get some suntan lotion of 30SPF or better because the sun is different so you don't want to burn your first day out.
Never been ~ Would Love to tho :-)
I really hope that you have an Amazing time !! Enjoy the sun, sand and Each other ;-) happy anniversary !!
We was only there for a few hours when we went from the cruise ship. We had a tour with a cab driver that was funny and informative. I don't remember if we ate. I was super enthralled with the marine life and ocean aquariums at one of the resorts. But I'm sorry. It's been since 1997.
You will love it. ENJOY!!!
I wish I had the chance to go... enjoy!!
