Who's Been to Jamaica?

[SlickTony]

Since we've still got a bit of money left after all this house misery, the husband wanted us to go on a nice vacation. I'd be happy to do the Texas Hill Country, seeing as part of the world my stories take place in happens to be there, and it would be nice to have some first hand experience of what it's like, or maybe the Appalachian Trail, or the Smithsonian Museum, not to mention all the bizarre, quaint little musems they're supposed to have in DC, but the kid really, really, really wants to leave the country, so we've been looking at Jamaica. A nice all-inclusive package. We've been researching places like BookIt and Vacations to Go, and have consistently noticed these 3 resorts. and have been discussing their pros and cons ever since. Does anyone hav any experience with these places, or know of any good others. The prices offered with the 3 places I've (hopefull) provided a link to, will indicate what budgetary range we're in.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Was down there a few years ago. One of my better vacation choices. Just stay away from Kingston The cops won't even go to some areas of that city.

A lot fewer beggers there than most places in the Carib except Nassau and a hell of a lot cheaper. People will try and sell you anything and everything. And they are not adverse to barganing. I even had some girl try and sell me her sister

Don't go in Feb or March. The weather is pretty unstable then. The Trelawny is really nice. I've been there. There's also a couple of swingers hotels there. Try and do the walk up the falls from the James Bond dock near Ocho Rios. It's wonderful.

 

[jomar]

I went there 15 or so years ago. I stayed at an all-inclusive club on the North side...I think it was called Eden II back then, might be Hedonism or something else by now. It wasn't a swingers club, but was good because sheilded guests from beggers and folks strolling along the beach trying to sell you stuff. I don't recognize the clubs you bookmarked.

Fun trip, they were a bit loose back then...got to go insanely deep for a first time scuba diver, good snorkling, plenty of good food-drink-entertainment, climbed Dunn's River Falls on a booze cruise (didn't drink enough on the way back to offset the hideousity of the ancient leather skinned, snaggle-toothed belly dancer that popped up from below decks...I can still hear the screams).

Zihuatanejo, mexico was fun also. Wherever you go, have a great time!

 

[scheherazade_79]

Watch your purse and be careful if any of the locals offer to sell or give you some weed - they get paid by the police for shopping weed-smoking tourists.

 

[R. Richard]

Was down there a few years ago. One of my better vacation choices. Just stay away from Kingston The cops won't even go to some areas of that city.

Second that. Definitely stay out of Trench Town. They don't like white people there and they are militant about it.

 

[i812]

Hey mon! There are much better choices than Jamaica, mon! Not smart to go looking for danger, mon!

 

[SlickTony]

Was down there a few years ago. One of my better vacation choices. Just stay away from Kingston The cops won't even go to some areas of that city.

A lot fewer beggers there than most places in the Carib except Nassau and a hell of a lot cheaper. People will try and sell you anything and everything. And they are not adverse to barganing. I even had some girl try and sell me her sister

Don't go in Feb or March. The weather is pretty unstable then. The Trelawny is really nice. I've been there. There's also a couple of swingers hotels there. Try and do the walk up the falls from the James Bond dock near Ocho Rios. It's wonderful.

Thanks for the info re Trelawny. We've heard about Hedonism. However, our son is coming with us. Technically, he's old enough to participate in anything we do, especially outside of America, where he's considered a full adult at 18. However, he's one of these Asperger kids who are kind of late-blooming, emotionally--he's not yet interested in most of the things most 18YO boys are interested in, although he is at last planning to start the process for getting his drivers license. But he's not dating or anything like that. He might be scandalized by the adult beach, even though he's old enuf to go there, to, by himself at that.

 

[wordofvirtue]

I don't remember if we went to Sands or Beaches in Negril. Had a fantastic time, though. It was one of those all inclusive deals and was right next door to Hedonism Negril. This was close to 10 years ago. I have no idea how the social climate is in the country these days, but back then it was cool runnins, mon. Irie! Went on a horseback ride through the jungle. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

 

[Adrenaline]

I've stayed at Starfish Trelawny and it was great. Nice room and the staff were very helpful. Decent beach. It's a bit out of the way so you have to take a bus everywhere, but it is pretty close to Ocho Rios, which has the waterfall, rafting, night clubs, dolphin parks and the like.

If you want something a bit more active I'd go for Sunset Beach which is in Montego Bay. Also a great hotel with lots of things to do for the whole family, plus you're in Montego Bay where the options are limitless as far as activities. There's marine parks, horse-back riding and golfing plus a few plantation and great houses tours. Lots of things to do at night, with good musical entertainment.

I've been to Jamaica several times and the worst thing that's happened to me was an enthusiastic ecstasy seller who figured I was racist because I was uninterested in his wares. It's hardly as if they're criminals lurking behind every palm tree.

As for hotels that aren't mentioned there that are quite good, the Sandals chain is great and they have hotels, usually more than one offering a different experience, in just about every spot one would normally consider staying, the better ones being in Negril and Montego Bay IMO.

 

[jushorny]

I've never been to Jamaica, but my wife and I are going to Rio Ocho Rios end of March. I know you don't want to wait that long to book your trip, but we did look at the same ones you did. If you are like we are, we'll have fun wherever we end up.

 

[joeys-game]

I've never been to Jamaica, but my wife and I are going to Rio Ocho Rios end of March. I know you don't want to wait that long to book your trip, but we did look at the same ones you did. If you are like we are, we'll have fun wherever we end up.

Got room for me???

 

[impressive]

Went to Negril in the early 90s. LOVED it! We stayed at the Negril Beach Club, which is not an all-inclusive place. It is (or was, at the time) the last hotel along the 7-mile crescent of beach that is Negril.

I took off my shoes upon arrival, and I only put them on again once during the entire week -- and that was for the sojourn to Rick's, a restaurant/club that is on the westernmost point of the island. The rest of the time, we'd just walk the beach & into a different resort's restaurant/club.

The sunsets are incredible. The people were welcoming & very, very frugal. I can't wait to go back.