Tell me if I'm misguided, our view of Jamaica has always been an island for the party-oriented crowd. Whether it be resorts like HEDO or Couples, the all inclusive resorts cater to those wanting to 'wake n bake' or relax poolside or on the beach with cocktails.

Touristy fun are excursions to Dunns River falls, a man made water park of sorts, catamaran day trips from the resorts to Ricks Cafe for cliff jumping and more drinking. Even our excursion to the Appleton Estate was filled with drinking rum and sampling the local culture - jerk chicken with a side of spliff.

Has anyone enjoyed staying at resorts on Jamaica's acclaimed most beautiful beach, 7-mile beach?

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Anonymous wrote:If you mean the Half Moon resort in Montego Bay - its is a great resort. We stopped going to Jamaica because the food isn't that great and we like some other islands better, but Half Moon is a great spot. Very nice, good food, safe, etc. Just don't leave the resort.

If you had bad food in Jamaica, you definitely weren’t in the right place.

We have been 3 different times. It’s not a place for foodies. The local food is delicious but not for every meal.

I did end up eating the jerk chicken every day. I don't usually like chicken, but it was really good. It was just from the grill by the pool at the AI. I think likely the chicken was very local and very fresh, and then of course the jerk seasoning is great -- but definitely better than jerk chicken in america, probably because the bird was fresher than we get here. (my dad grew up on a chicken farm and he basically will not eat american chicken anymore because he says its so awful.) I also had some decent fish.

Anonymous wrote:It depends what you want. If you love all inclusive you will be fine. If you want do anything you will be bored out your mind. There is LITERALLY nothing to do.

Thats only if you stay at an AI. Plenty to do in Negril if you stay at one of places in town.

We stayed at a private home owned by a Jamaican friend, who usually rents it out. The house itself was fine but it was gated and there were security guards who were on site the whole time. So despite being a nice house it felt like we were a bit locked in while we were there.

But we did private tours (Blue Mountains, Mayfield Falls, Westmoreland/German community) which we enjoyed and took a couple of day trips to see other local historic sites. We arranged for these with local contacts.

We never had any problems anywhere and enjoyed our interaction with the Jamaican people and experiencing the country/culture.

Jamaica is a place to relax at a resort and go nowhere. Preferably in a room with butler service. If you want to explore, I'd book a different island.

It depends what you want. If you love all inclusive you will be fine. If you want do anything you will be bored out your mind. There is LITERALLY nothing to do.

We are currently there and just got stuck for 2 more days! So far so good! LOL.

At least you can drink the water there.

Fwiw, can't speak for Half Moon, but we loved Negril

Meh. So many islands that I prefer.

Agree with others that Half Moon is great. We also enjoyed Round Hill Resort. I prefer Jamaica to some of the other islands with direct flights, as well as over Mexico.

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Anonymous wrote:I hate Jamaica. The resorts are fine but seriously, you can not explore the culture at all. Everyone has a son story. The tipping is crazy

Yes you can but it’s not going to be at an all inclusive resort. Seriously?

We were offered drugs by staff at our all inclusive hotel.

I assume weed?

First ciggs, we said, no, then weed, we said no, then harder stuff, no joke. I’m not pearl clutching, but I was not thrilled to be approached by staff at our expensive hotel.

Well that should tell you that many of the so called 'high class' clientele staying there are looking for those things. If there was no market for it, they wouldn't be selling it.

Half Moon is fantastic. Super close MBJ.

If this little take-out shack is still there, you should check it out:

https://www.instagram.com/scotchiesjamaica/?hl=en

Very close to Half Moon.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate Jamaica. The resorts are fine but seriously, you can not explore the culture at all. Everyone has a son story. The tipping is crazy

Yes you can but it’s not going to be at an all inclusive resort. Seriously?

We were offered drugs by staff at our all inclusive hotel.

I assume weed?

First ciggs, we said, no, then weed, we said no, then harder stuff, no joke. I’m not pearl clutching, but I was not thrilled to be approached by staff at our expensive hotel.

Food is amazing there. Hands down the best in the Caribbean. The folks saying otherwise are nuts.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate Jamaica. The resorts are fine but seriously, you can not explore the culture at all. Everyone has a son story. The tipping is crazy

Yes you can but it’s not going to be at an all inclusive resort. Seriously?

We were offered drugs by staff at our all inclusive hotel.

I assume weed?

That would be experiencing the local culture....

Sad little place.