Jamaica - what is it like?

[Anonymous]

We’re trying to figure out where to go over spring break. We’ve recently been talking about Jamaica more, but I honestly don’t know much about it. For those who have been - what did you think? We’ll have our elementary-aged kids with us. We don’t want to be trapped at a resort the whole time. We like to explore, love good food, want to be able to swim in the ocean, order drinks from a pool bar, and relax, check out different island restaurants, etc. Would love your thoughts on Jamaica.

[Anonymous]

The water is really warm.

When we were there, it was really seaweed-y (not their fault per se but still).

We were in St. Lucia in Feb. this year and our tour guide said he personally would not recommend going to Jamaica right now as crime has really sky rocketed. Or if you do go, stay in your resort.

[Anonymous]

Only been twice in the past 7 years but we didn't think it was great for kids. Lots of adults only resorts and the one kid friendly resort we stayed at for a few nights was just ok. The beach hawkers are relentless but we've experienced that elsewhere too. We stayed at a resort with a "private" beach and they would literally come up to you on wave runners hawking jewelry etc. but wouldn't go on the beach itself so I guess private doesn't always include the water itself - and the noise made my wife feel like we were ring side at a motor cross event. Also the poverty outside the resorts is severe in many places - more so than some countries we've traveled to. Still love Jamiaca, but I personally don't think it is that good for kids.

[Anonymous]

we like Jamaica a lot and are going on our 10th trip later this year. We've taken one baby before and will be taking both a toddler and baby this time. We stay mostly at the resort but have taken some tours--Dunns River Falls, Blue Mountain coffee plantation and maybe some others I don't remember.

I like it that the water is safe to drink, so no worries about getting sick from brushing your teeth, etc. I love the beaches and think they are great for the kids because they tend to be shallow and still, with warm water--kind of like a pool of sorts (we generally seek out resorts with great beaches). I think the people are really nice. I've had to seek medical attention twice while there (for an ear/sinus issue both times) and found the doctors to be very competent.

it is a poor country and you can see that outside of the resort. we usually bring some little chocolate--for example, kisses or those Dove ones, and leave handfuls with a tip for room housekeeping, bartenders, etc--they love the candy and take it for their kids. we've also brought school supplies to donate to schools in the area.

we love that you get pretty beaches and mountains in the distance. I think it makes for a gorgeous setting. it feels less 'generic' than, say, Mexico (at least the parts where we've been) or the Bahamas.

[Anonymous]

I have been to Jamaica a few times but never with kids though.

I'd definitely recommend Negril over Montego Bay. There is absolutely nothing to do outside of the resort in the latter. Negril is an actual little town where you can walk the beach for miles and there are lots of bars and restaurants all along it.

Yes some of the beach vendors can be aggressive/obnoxious but there are also some amazing ones. People selling things like fresh fruits and juices, meat patties, jerk chicken and whole cooked lobsters seasoned and ready to eat on the spot. And then you have the legendary Ricks Cafe up on the cliffs and more restaurants. Overall it's a pretty magical place. I'd go back.

[Anonymous]

We've been a few times with our little ones and with family. Husband still has family there too so we've gone out with them and can attest that you can without trying very hard run into Sean Paul and Usain Bolt at the local clubs in MoBay and Kingston, that is if you can muster the energy to party one of the nights. I personally love it but it's not for everyone. Jamaican culture has tons of flavor and the people are so great, friendly chatty and colorful, and great with kids. Food is also da bomb but if you want to eat local it's not going to be at a beautiful resto overlooking the ocean... that's for tourists... it's going to be in a shack on the roadside w/o any a/c. Would you be cool with that? Of course you could compromise and get takeout from said shacks, and eat it back at your hotel, we did that a lot.

Like a previous commentor said MoBay is really bad right now in terms of crime and when we were there earlier this year they had an emergency curfew on. The crime is gang-centric but even our relatives were scared to be out and about too late. That said, we've never personally experienced anything threatening, and the resorts are heavily guarded and safe.

Here's what I'd recommend if you are still keen... fly to MoBay direct via Southwest from BWI, get pickup from your hotel in Negril, it's about 1h20m drive straight from airport but very pleasant drive, stay at Country Country or Idle Awhile, enjoy the totally shallow turquoise beaches and drinks at Margaritaville for more of a party atmosphere, and get dinner one night on the cliffs at Catcha Falling Star. For where the locals eat, there's a soup lady who runs a stand right on the road close to those hotels which is so good and my toddler loved that has changing menu every day, and several other local shack type places where you can get a proper Jamaican breakfast (ackee and saltfish) and dinner (oxtail, goat curry, stewed peas, escovitch snapper etc.) During the day vendors will come down the beach with fresh juices and coconuts and stuff like that. Shopping is mainly at Times Square, it's touristy but they have everything you want and the prices aren't bad at all. If you want more adventure, rent a car (use Avis) and drive to Ocho Rios for a day trip. Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

It's safe to drink the water. Same time zone too. Water is warm and calm and transparent.

There's not a whole lot to do outside of resorts - the parishes do have history to them and there are cute local markets. NEgril is a fun side trip. I'd stay away from Kingston.
There are a few excursions - rum tours, bob marley history, ziplines, horses on the beach, various water sports, etc, but it's not like you're in a big metropolitan place with museums, historic churches, monuments, cafes, shops, etc.

There are lots of resorts that are family friendly. We fly BWI direct on Southwest.
United will have direct flights seasonally.

[Anonymous]

We've been to Half Moon a couple of times....nice villas but terrible service. Not at all comparable to the better islands in the Caribbean. We rented a jeep and hit ochos rios and did a river rafting excursion but nothing particularly great. I'd be a bit concerned about safety on the island as there have been a number of high profile crimes there in the past.

[Anonymous]

OP you can do everything you want in a more safe environment in St Croix.

[Anonymous]

Jamaica is dangerous outside of the resorts in many places. I wouldn't go if you want to explore the island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you can do everything you want in a more safe environment in St Croix.

+1
I never understood the appeal of Jamaica. It is the worst compare to other places in the Caribbean. If OP wants to be boxed off on a resort, then Jamaica is the place.

When I ventured off the resort in Jamaica the hustlers were extremely overbearing. I had hustlers trying to sell me everything from drugs, to cheap trinkets, and some (men) were sexually aggressive towards me. Jamaica is a different world once you step outside of the resorts. I bought some handmade items from a lady that I met at a market. However, some of the other women were upset that I didn't buy anything from them. The lady I purchased items for got into a nasty verbal exchange with some of the women and it proceeded into a fight. When the staff at my resort told me not to step off the resort and that the area was not safe I should have listened to them. My resort had armed guards. Also, the days I left for excursions were really interesting. In quite a few places some of the locals started to throw things at our tour bus. It was like the locals were upset that tourists were visiting. Jamaica felt like a hostile place. The resort was awesome and the staff were nice. However, I felt like a prisoner to the resort because things were not as nice for travelers who like to explore things outside of the resort compound.

[Anonymous]

As a teen visiting Negril, Jamaica with my mother, I was offered marijuana on the beach, in the water at the beach, and by a local taxi driver. I also had a man peeking into our bathroom through a closed window (ground floor) during my shower.

I enjoyed two trips there and it is a beautiful country with gorgeous beaches and delicious food and blue mountain coffee, HOWEVER I would not categorize Jamaica as a relaxing vacation unless you plan to never leave the resort or go to the beach. You will have to go with an open and adventurous mind.

I probably won’t be back any time soon, if ever.

With that said, I do have a single male friend who visits Hedonism multiple times per year. He loves it.

[Anonymous]

Jamaica is also very anti-gay. I stay away for that reason.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Jamaica

Jamaica has been described by some human rights groups as the most homophobic country in the world because of the high level of violent crime directed at LGBT people.[1] The United States Department of State said that in 2012, "homophobia was widespread in the country".[2]

[mojo222]

Lots of crime there

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend Montego Bay during spring break with young children. I have heard that Negril is much nicer and less of the spring break crowd.