Going to Jamaica this sunday. First time at all inclusive and Jamaica. Help please.

[redflag5050]

Hi there,

Thanks to a Chris Myden alert and on a whim I went ahead and booked a week all inclusive in Jamaica. We usually go to Europe in the summer but to be honest, we've never been to an all inclusive hotel or to Jamaica. Any help, advice, tips or tricks are really appreciated. We're leaving this Sunday for one week and I don;t even know what to pack for a week.

Thanks in advance.

[chandans]

hmm what to pack? just some summer clothes! its hot! during the day youll want to lounge in something cool, shorts, tanks, etc. theres plenty to do in Montego Bay if thats the area where you are going (most do its the touresty area...good luck if your in Kingston lol).

check out ocho di reos, amazing area they have this waterfall tehre that you climb up with a guide. went with a group of 10 and that was my fav time of any of our excusions. "haunted house" is whatever, save your money.

you can bargain anywhere for purchasing any souveniers, and such. you can pretty much bargain anywhere but remember the tourist industry is their livlihood, dont disrepsect the ppl. they are some of the most warmest and nicest ppl ive met anywhere.

theres plenty of areas to shop, but for the most part i just enjoyed the beach, snorkling (you can rent equipment there). take a bannana with you in your trunk and thow small pieces out when you get into the ocean and youll see thousands of troppical fish flutter infront of your eyes.

hope that helps.


ps: where did you find the deal from? what site specifically? googled him and he has a bunch of hits.

[teoconca]

Bring shorts, t-shirts, sunblock, lots of small US$ bills ($1, $5 for tipping). You will get amazing services when tipping the maid, waiters. Where are you staying may I ask? We just came back from Sunset Beach and Spa in Montego Bay 2 weeks ago. We had amazing time; we were very please with the resort and food. We got great deal with the cost of the all inclusive package. If you go to town in Montego Bay to buy souvenirs, make sure don't buy at face price, always bargain down 30-50%. Just enjoy your time. Check this thread for more info relating to Montego Bay - http://forums.redflagdeals.com/montego-bay-jamaica-1144445/

[redflag5050]

Bring shorts, t-shirts, sunblock, lots of small US$ bills ($1, $5 for tipping). You will get amazing services when tipping the maid, waiters. Where are you staying may I ask? We just came back from Sunset Beach and Spa in Montego Bay 2 weeks ago. We had amazing time; we were very please with the resort and food. We got great deal with the cost of the all inclusive package. If you go to town in Montego Bay to buy souvenirs, make sure don't buy at face price, always bargain down 30-50%. Just enjoy your time. Check this thread for more info relating to Montego Bay - http://forums.redflagdeals.com/montego-bay-jamaica-1144445/

Thanks for the help. We're going to Braco Beach Resort & Spa. I think we got a great deal for 1 week @ $595. Trip adviser reviews are very appreciative and that what made me pull the trigger. Courtesy of Chris Myden email alert.

[spidersan]

From my experience in Ocho Rios, my recommendations are:
1) Bring or buy a large travel mug. For all inclusives, they usually give you a small plastic cup of beer or mixed drink, which you usually finish in no time, and then have to line up again (sometimes line ups are very long). So a large mug means more drinks and less line ups. Also buy one in Canada or maybe at the local shops, don't buy at the gift shop because it's overpriced. They also kind of expect you to tip each time but you aren't forced to.
2) Be expected to be hassled a lot when you're walking towards and in the local markets, every vendor will try to offer you something and some will say it's "free" but expect you to tip. Depending on where you are, even on the beach at your resort, on the water and not on resort property, they will try to call you over to offer something like hairbraiding or sell you some trinkets...or weed.
3) Bring lots of $1 or $5 for tipping.
4) I recommend seeing Dunn's River Falls, it's pretty amazing if you get the chance. You actually climb the falls, i would recommend some wet shoes with grip (i think they're called footsies?) or some sort of sneaker that you don't mind getting wet.
5) While the all inclusive buffets are nice, they also do have restaurants usually in your hotel which has better food, in my opinion, however, you'll need to make reservations and the line up to make reservations are long! So find out when they start taking reservations and get in line about 30-45 minutes ahead of time. I found that while the food was still good at the buffets, they were pretty much the same, except for a few new dishes each night.
6) For excursions, I would avoid the rum factory (it's really early in the morning and while they do offer free samples, you're less likely to try it at 8am lol). The Bob Marley tour is ok but it's a long trek, about 2 hours each way. I would only recommend if you have a definite strong interest in Bob Marley...or weed. Not really worth it for a casual tourist.
I did zip lining and horseback riding which was fun and was cheaper through the hotel than separately, I didn't do Dolphin's Cove (riding dolphins, it was out of my price range, but i did hear good things about it).

That's all I can think of at the moment, hope this helps! I'm sure some stuff will jog my memory if you ask.

[dealguy2]

Don't bring US dollars. Bring Jamaican dollars or go to a jamaican bank in Ocho Rios and get money while you are there. There are RBC, and Bank of Nova Scotia branches in Ocho Rios but the BNS one is most prominent. There is also a scotia bank ATM in the airport.

If you can try and get some Jamaican dollars before you go but it's not really necessary. It's just dumb to change your money twice, once into USD and then into Jamaican dollars.

[Arrgh]

Can buy some Blue Mountain coffee. It's really good coffee, and runs US$20-28/lb. If you like to buy a lot, can buy the 5-lb bags at the airport. Or if you really like good coffee, can even arrange with a plantation directly to buy say a dozen lbs from them. Last time I did that on a cruise stop in Ocho Rios, the rep came near the pier to meet me. The coffee bean was freshly roasted the day before, and of course vacuum packed. I gave away several bags as gifts when I got back.


theres plenty of areas to shop, but for the most part i just enjoyed the beach, snorkling (you can rent equipment there). take a bannana with you in your trunk and thow small pieces out when you get into the ocean and youll see thousands of troppical fish flutter infront of your eyes.

Please do NOT do that. Do not take banana, or bread, or other things to feed the fish. It's not the natural food for the fish. By doing that you are disturbing the ecology/culture of the fish, just for your own temporary enjoyment. I'm a scuba diver. One of the first things divers learn is to respect and protect the underwater world. Do not touch the coral (as they'll die from your touching), disturb the marine ecology, etc. By feeding something unnatural to the fish, the fish may even die. You can go snorkeling or diving. It's great. But please do your part to help protect and preserve the natural environment, not to help destory it.

[Kunman]

bumbaclot "hello" + you bloodclot "how are you"

enjoy your trip C:

[jaysfan4life]

bumbaclot "hello" + you bloodclot "how are you"

enjoy your trip C:

Hmmmm those are curse words.. You don't wanna use those words in Jamaica unless you wanna get shot.. Bring us dollars for tips.

[redflag5050]

bumbaclot "hello" + you bloodclot "how are you"

enjoy your trip C:

Lol, google is my true friend.

[Kris81]

Get some Jamaican dollars before you head out. On your way to the resort the driver will take "a break" at a local bar on the way, and they'll try to charge you 5-6$ for a beer. It should really only be about 1.50-2.

if you hit up any of the clubs/bars out on the town, don't believe everyone who tells you it's their birthday & you are drinking their favorite drink. Keep calm & carry on.

Finally, check out Rick's Cafe in Negril, and go for the sunset.

[Laur0406]

Remember that everything in Jamaica moves a lot slower (people, service, etc). Be sure to relax and have fun.

I cannot recommend booking Peat Taylor Tours, a private tour company, enough, instead of doing tours booked from your hotel. http://www.ochoriosjamaicatours.com/ On my last trip to Jamaica, we stayed in Ocho Rios and used him to do the "Irie Blue Hole" tour, which included a stop at Scotchies (the best authentic Jamaican jerk restaurant) for lunch and he took us shopping at a couple of places. It cost us $25/person...much cheaper than if we booked through the hotel.

This was the tour we did: http://www.ochoriosjamaicatours.com/tours/ocho-rios/hotel-guests-rates/irie-blue-hole. It see it is now $30/peson if you have 4 or more people. If there are less, there is a minimum charge of $105.

[nielboy]

Thanks for the help. We're going to Braco Beach Resort & Spa. I think we got a great deal for 1 week @ $595. Trip adviser reviews are very appreciative and that what made me pull the trigger. Courtesy of Chris Myden email alert.

Hey redflag5050, let us know what your experience was at Braco.

I saw a Wagjag deal for there & was considering it but saw some negative reviews on TripAdvisor then hummed & hawwed until it had expired.

Would be nice to know if the negative reviews had any substance to them.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g147317-d2520083-Reviews-Braco_Beach_Resort_Spa-Runaway_Bay_Jamaica.html