Need some tips on going to Jamaica.

[1QUICK85]

Want to go to Jamaica with a all-inclusive vacation package!! You guys/gals know any good deals? Were to go while there? Were not to stay? The girlfriend and me and possibly another couple. Hoping to stay within the 800 - 1100 dollars range/person.

So any tips or good deals you know of, throw them at us. Thanks much guys!! Any turbo buicks in Jamaica??

Later, Nick

 

[49-blues]

Stay at Sandals and dont leave the hotel!

 

[broke1]

DO NOT GO TO JAMAICA. Been their twice. Cayman Islands are much safer,cleaner,and friendly. Airfare is about the same.Its also more expensive (ie food,drink)but I can get you a hotel room for $99 us a night for both of you(plus contenential reakfast),pretty much the hookup!!! Plus weve got Stingray City!!! I can arrange alot of stuff for you and for a week itd cost about $900 us(for the both of you )and id get you a few free excursions to stingray city,and if your interested in learning to dive I can teach you both for a small fee.If your interested send me a pm with your # and we can discuss the details.Thanks

 

[bishir]

I got married at the Beaches Resort in Negril. We stayed a week there, got married, then stayed a week at Sandals Negril. The only time I left the resort was to go cliff diving at Rick's Cafe which I highly recommend. The resorts are very nice and you'll be able to travel between the Sandal owned resorts if you stay at one of them. We flew into Montego Bay and I didn't like it much. The road to Negril is like taking a bus on a rally race. I found the Jamacian people to be the most friendly of any destination I've ever traveled to. You be most certainlly asked to buy drugs, but if you say it's not your thing they leave you along and it's no big deal. My wife and her family ventured outside of the resort more and they enjoyed the cheap deals at the markets, but didn't enjoy the harassement of shop owners trying to get them to buy something.

As for resorts, Beaches was much more fun than Sandals but Sandals had better resturants. The beach at Beaches is much better too. We rode the bananna boat past Hedenisom III and it didn't look good. Let me just say I was surprised greenpeace wasn't doing a rescue effort on some beached whale. Lord people put on some clothes no one wants to see that!

Decide where you're going and I'll try to think of more things. Personally, I'd like to go back when I have kids and take them to Beaches. I love the all you can eat no tipping thing.

James

 

[Scott231]

Jamaica can be alot of fun if you know where to stay. Definately go with the other couple. You will want the comaraderie.

If you are without kids, then definately take the Sandals resorts (no kids allowed on your beach/resort) over the Beaches resorts (family oriented). Do your own research on which of the 5 or 6 Sandals reports you would want to go to (M.Bay is for the younger crowd, I stayed at the Royal Carribean - sexier, more quiet, yadda, yadda, yadda). The beauty of these places are that the scuba diving is included. Thus if that is what you want to do (and want to take advantage of it...this is a great deal).

Oh yeah, don't leave the resort.

I too have been to the Cayman Islands several times and love it. Problem is, everything is way too expensive and their funny-money currency is a tourist trap, plain and simple. But much nicer beaches (its actually a 7-mile long beach), top notch food and wonderful (expensive) scuba diving.

 

[DCEPTCN]

I've seen too many TV shows about how dangerous it can be to go there. I've heard that an alarming number of American tourists end up just plain 'missing'. I've never been there myself, but I would be careful.

 

[broke1]

Cayman Islands isnt too expensive if you have the right hookup

The room for $99 us a night is at a 4 star hotel(the Hyatt,gf works thier) or I can get you a room at the Comfort Suites for a lil cheaper. Diving isnt that much more expensive than anywhere else ive been. Hell if you were to throw me a few bucks I could get your dive trips for FREE,ALL you want.

As far as the funny money its easy,just remember $100 us is $80ci so US dollar is worth 20% less. If Canadians can afford to vacation here an American should no problem.Food is your main cost and since I live here just about every restaurant gives 10% off. And as I sit here writing this im looking out on Seven Mile Beach and its 87 degrees and sunny For the $$$ your looking at spending thatd cover your hotel room,rental car,food and drinks for a week with a few hundred left for souveneirs

Dont go to Jamaica its just to dangerous IMO.

 

[bishir]

If you're going for the beach come to Pensacola. Our beach is better than anything I've been to except its a little chilly right now.

 

[Murt TTA]

I went to Ocho Rios in jamaica last year, it was pretty fun. If you go there make sure you check out Dunns Rivers falls, its a big waterfall that u can walk up. We went to the downtown area, and it was a little scary, lots of people selling drugs ETC... but I had my bob marley hat and dreads on so I fit right in.

Grand Cayman is definatly nicer, and seems alot safer. Plus there is no one walking up to you trying to sell u drugs... Stingray city was fun also!

~Murt

 

[1QUICK85]

Well know I am not sure were to go.... I dont want to end up "missing"LOL. We want to go somewhere tropical and some where safe. These resorts have enough for you to do in a 6 night stay that you would not have to leave the resort? I would also be worried about the girlfriend wondering off to go shopping and who knows what happens! I will have to talk to her some more.
Keep the tips or ideas coming! How is Hawaii? Expensive, I think??

Later, Nick

 

[BADINBLACK6]

Don't go! The place is the bottom of the barrel. I Got married at Sandels, Negril in 2000, Walmart would have been a nicer place. Forget the fact that it takes almost an hour from the airport to the resort on a road that they just completed in 2000, but you drive through ghetto towns where the taxi driver (actually a 8 pass. van) hits animals that get in the way and doesn't even blink an eye. I'm not big animal lover but this guy didn't even give them a chance. I could go on and on but you get the picture and I'm sure there are alot of people who have had a great time there but I'm telling you you don't even want to take that chance, no one could ever get me back there! And just in case you still go listen to what 49 blues said " DON'T LEAVE THE RESORT" we made the mistake and went "downtown" where they walk around with machetes and try to sell you surfer necklesses for 30 bucks. Nothing happened to any of us while we were there but I've been on vacation in alot of different places and never had any fear until Jamaica. On the good side it was all inclusive so I basically drank the fear away .
HTH Chris

 

[machinegun]

I agree with Bishir. Go to Florida, see the beaches and enjoy the food and good weather. Contact the local sheriff's department ahead of time and apply for the temporary out of state gun carry permit. No need to go and not be safe. If I cant carry a gun there, I do not go. We are now the newest state to have a concealed weapons permit. It is valid in florida too.

 

[broke1]

Hawaii is nice.Not as expensive as Grand Cayman but close. The water/climate is colder in Hawaii too,the water here right now is 81 degrees. If 10 years ago someone offered me the deal like I just offered you id be all over it.Youd come out cheaper and be staying in a alot NICER PLACE.Not to say Hawaii or Jamacia arent both beautiful(been to both a quite a few times) but Cayman blows both of em off the map.Period.Just my $.02

 

[Chris Wh1]

My personal favorite beach is Siesta Key, Florida. Nice white sand, plenty of things to do. But if you go to Jamaica, five simple words, dont drink the bong water

 

[SMS]

Have you thought about the Dominican Republic? I 've been there twice and had an awsome time! Stayed all inclusive for about $1100 for six days/7 nights. Stayed in the Punta Cana region, its nothing but all inclusive resorts on the beach. Also, you dont need a passport, just a birth certificate.

 

[1QUICK85]

Thanks for all the tips guys..........I laughed my A$$ off at the bus driver hitting animals....... The g/f and I are still debating were we want to go. Jamica, I dont know. Now the girlfriend is saying maybe Paris??Any ideas on that. HELL I told her to make up her mind, before I just spend $1300 on my GN...........

I want to thank everyone for their stories and experiences.....Just cannot get the g/f to make up her mind, and then we are also talking with the other couple too.

Any ideas on Paris??

Later, Nick

 

[kh440]

Other than the fact that the french are basically snotty, smelly people, especially given the political climate today. Have you thought about a cruise? You get to see a little of everything, just avoid the Bahamas-especially Nassau-the whole place is one big shakedown. Every 10 feet "you need taxi mon" or "braid your hair" or peddler with crappy souveneirs who just don't take "no thanks" for an answer.

 

[1QUICK85]

The world is just so f^$@ed up that nobody can go anywhere...
I do not think Paris sounds all that great. Cruises sound pretty cool. I think for the moment we are leaning towards Jamaica......................I got a headache and for once it isnt from my GN!! Like the old saying goes "if its got wheels or tits" oh you guys get the point.......LOL

Nick

 

[bishir]

I'm quite amazed everyone feared for their lives in Jamaica. We decided to walk the beach once and talk to some locals on the way and I didn't get scared one bit. I will admit the bus ride is kinda scary, but you can always take a puddle jumper to Negril.

IMO Beaches was a better resort than Sandals but no kids at Sandals. I was there when the American journalist went missing from Sandals. She want out alone at night to a nightclub and was never seen again. I felt save though. Just remember don't leave your mind at home when traveling....


James