Going to Jamaica. Need advice.

[mulisha00]

HA HA. I hope my fiancee doesn't read this. I'm just along for the ride at this point. Trip is already booked and we're staying all inclusive at Couples in Ocho Rios. Keep the input coming as I'd love to make the best of it considering everyone tells me this is "supposed" to be the happiest week of my life. :rofl:

I'd love to rent a Rover and ride around which is what I had planned for Aruba. I can't find anything Rover in Jamaica but some have mentioned a Suzuki Samurai which I'm also familar with. Can't find any information on that.

I just don't wanna go and then everyone asks when you return "Oh did you get to rent the diesel 110 and ride the mountain trails?" and I never knew about it.

As far as the people. I live in Danville, VA. I'm sure as shit not worried about too much as I never can let my gaurd down here.

 

[mulisha00]

One last round of advice before I leave. D-day is Saturday and leaving Monday morning.

Sounds dumb but should I take a nice camera with me or a cheap one?

Also should I just leave the cell and laptop here or will I have service at all? I imagine internet access at the hotel but not sure how cell service would be.

As for all these people requesting tips. How much are they asking or how much is the norm? Sometimes its easier to hand someone a dollar rather than deal with the conflict.

 

[ukoffroad]

We were in Ocho about 15 years ago, if you stay at the hotel or check out the falls you are okay. Locals were really agressive about everything. Where we stayed was all inclusive so no issures there. a tourist was shot in the face while we were there after taking a rented scooter out of town to explore. Don't reccommend that.

 

[hilltoppersx]

i never recommend getting shot in the face. not good for your overall health.

 

[Big Papa]

That place is a complete shit hole. Worse than St. Kitts.

Another vote for the Virgin Islands.

 

[mulisha00]

Enjoying this thing so far. Hustled a few people to the point they leave me alone. Lots of Defenders running around. The new Rangie Evoke or however you sell it is pretty popular here. Snorkeling was great today on the reef. Off for more free food and drinks...

 

[JohnB]

4 days since last update---bet his smart phone has been hustled away.
Just joking-Smoke one if you got one. Jah man

 

[crown14]

Should have just gone to Haiti

 

[mulisha00]

Nah I'm back at work. Never got stabbed. I went scuba diving twice on the reefs. Met a turtle down there that swam around with us for a while. Didn't make the nude beach.

I stayed at Couples Tower Isle and at no point there was I or my Wife uncomfortable. My only complaint for the whole trip was that the milk wasn't cold enough when we got room service for breakfast. For a lactose intolerant country and my only complaint I'd have a hard time not going back. I can't say that anywhere else in the country would be the same but I had a great time and will be going back to the same place.

On this trip I ate six meals a day and drank about 15 drinks a day. I smoked Monte Cristos on the beach and sipped Chivas Regal, Macallon, and Glenlivet. I had turn down service every night and a stocked bar in the room. I had two massages, a trip to Dunns River falls, a trip shopping, two scuba dives, two snorkling trips, catamaran cruise, live music, NO KIDS, and many more things that I did or could have, all at no extra expense. There were just as many return visitors to my resort as there were first timers.

Now at the airport on the way home I heard many complaints from people saying they were never going back, bed bugs, shitty service ect (montego bay resorts?). The biggest asshole in the world would have a hard time complaining about something where I stayed at however.

When I go back I'll venture out more to the city ect but this trip the resort had me full of food, drinks, and stuff to do there.

 

[bri]

I was waiting for a response.

Good on ya. I went quite a few years ago and had an equal quality stay, but I also ventured out quite a bit. Met some locals, went to their home, killed a chicken and made some jerk and drank real Guiness. It was fun and humbling.

I will admit that some inexperienced travelers also on a serious budget could be had. I'd say you should have some experience to venture into some of the open markets/neighborhoods, etc, but I had no problem. I went alone and with my wife.

My recommendation is that if you do this, dress down. Way down. Get your wallet in zipped or buttoned pocket, where it is not visible and have it minimal. Under no circumstances accept something from a person's enclosed downward facing hand where you cannot tell what it is. In this case it WILL be drugs and the police is right behind you. Your only way out will be to give them your VISA card. But, IMO, you'd really have to be an idiot to do this, but you know some people...

Things like a nice hair brading cost other people quite a few bucks, a nice one cost us crayons and a coloring book.

It is definitely a different experience if you venture out in Jamaica vs many of the touristy places mentioned in this thread. You can avoid nearly all problems that people have had if you meet some locals that are friendly enough to take you around. The high end resorts will try to get you on some overpriced tour, but if you make friends with some of them, you can get hooked up with a nice, friendly high quality driver that will show you around and keep you "safe".

Frankly we were comfortable enough to just flag down cars. On the street in Jamaica you can just hold your hand up and people that give rides will just pick you up and run you down the main road for just a few pennies. but then again, you should be prepare to potentially have your S.O. sitting on your lap 'cause they really pack 'em in.