Having been back 4 days from our 2 week hol in Jamaica, I thought I MUST write this before I forget what was what!
Pre-holiday details:
We normally like to do all-inclusive hols as I prefer to vegetate and be waited on hand and foot whilst on holiday!! (work hard, play hard???) So having already been to other Caribbean locations, we decided this year to do Jamaica. We initially had considered Cuba, but it was more expensive!
We saw the resort in a brochure and decided on the hotel. Having checked out the amenities in every brochure and online, we decided to book the 4* plus hotel 'Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club', with Airtours (via Co-op travel for a discount). I won't go into detail regarding the hotel as this review is more concerned with the resort as a whole.
Jamaica is one of the larger islands in the Caribbean and it's Capitol is Kingston (South East of the island, fairly central). Montego Bay is located on the North of the island, and is also where the airport is situated.
Righto, here's the nitty gritty:
The airport has no air conditioning, so beware both arriving and departing! (believe me, with hundreds of other passengers squashed into the airport when we were leaving, it was NOT for the faint hearted!) On arrival, the airport staff take a very long time, to check your entry visas before letting you go on your merry way.
Now, I KNOW the general ethos of Jamaica is 'No Problem' and the attitiude is very laid back, but after a 10 hour flight, sitting rigid in a space no larger than a cardboard BOX, I don't really appreciate laid backness!!!
Once we had cleared immigration/customs/visa checking/looking suspicious, we hurried outside to find our coach. The airport however, is STACKED with locals trying to sell you 'weed', 'coke', braided hair or any other service that you could give them money for...so just grab your suitcases, RUN to your coach and get on!
The roads were in very poor condition, as is the driving! Be warned...journey times are double what you think they'll be as drivers chug along the rickety roads (and the highway code is 'Drive as fast as possible, wherever you can!). Apparantley the police are willing to 'over-look' speeding by having their palms crossed with silver! (so the guide said!)
The weather (and this is obviously based on what I encountered while I was there as is the rest of it!) was perfect. We were there from end July to early Aug and we only had one day of rain BUT.....the people we befriended who were frmo the States and staying a day longer than us got caught up in the hurricane (Charlie) and ALL flights were cancelled from Montego Bay Airport (bear this in mind as the hurricanes do visit the Caribbean at this time of year!)
We found that although the currency was Jamaican Dollars (around $127 to £1!!) we took US Dollars (currently around $1.80 to £1) and they were accepted everywhere from craft stalls to large shops. Apart from local goods, we found that most things were not cheap at all. You could certainly purchase Rum, carvings, T-Shirts for good prices but perfume, electronics, jewellery etc was cheaper in the UK! (except for duty free of course). Don't forget to haggle EVERYwhere you go! We did, I think they almost expect it!
If you decide to go on trips with tour reps, ask questions before booking! Local trips were:
~~Dunn's River Falls
A limestone waterfall, with clear waters and a place where tourists flock in droves to climb and take pictures! It was fun (around $33 each) but not for less mobile people as the climbing of the rocks was pretty treacherous!
~~Horse Riding
This was a 2 hour trip through jungle and onto beach. Wear long trousers (shorts will rub!) and sunscreen on your neck! This was around the same price! Fab for that beach ride you've always wanted :o)
~~Luminous Lagoon
A local lagoon that holds micro-organisms that glow when 'agitated' (stirred or shaken) WOW!!!! This is an evening tour (around $40 each) and you are shipped out to a lagoon that is exactly what it says....luminous......the craziest thing and totally natural!
~~Dolphin experience
We had already done this in Mexico but it is WELL worth the money if you can afford it! Costs a WHOPPING $180 each but for this you get to swim/stroke/be pulled along by dolphins. They will also train you how to be lifted out of the water on dolphins noses (seriously!) and get them to jump over your head! You'll be in a group of around 6-10 people and usually have 25 minutes of time with 2 dolphins! ;o) Be aware that the photos are expensive but you'll only ever do this once so buy them!! hee hee! They tend to offer a video or dvd of your time as well but this is even more pricey!
~~Bob Marley Experience
I'm not too sure of the details of this as it was way too far away for us to go on but I know that you visit his hometown and where he grew up. Generally a trip for Bob Marley fans (trip was roughly 2.5 hours away from MB!)
~~Plantation
Another trip we didn't go on but involved a tour of a local plantation. Opportunities to sample fruits and drinks.
There were several more trips but details fail me! Thise were the big ones though!
Shopping is either one extreme or the other in MB. They had sparkly jewellery shops or dusty little stores down dirty streets....my advice is to only ever shop with a guide or tour rep....harrassment reasons (and safety).
The water in MB was drinkeable (not like the Dom Rep gag!) but I still bought bottled cos I'm anal like that! Don't like taking chances!
We found the people either very friendly or with much attitude which was quite weird. The staff at the hotel were the same and everyone expects tips as well!!!! I tipped when I felt it was right!
Typical food (and probably not exclusive to MB but rather Jamaica as a whole)
~~Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas
This is FAB! Jerk chicken is chicken in a slightly spicy coating with a spicy sauce. The rice and peas (not peas so much as red kidney beans really) have a lovely coconut flavour!
~~Ackee & Saltfish
Ackee is like scrambled eggs, a savoury food and tasty if you like eggs! The saltfish that is sevred with it is exactly that! A salty cod-like fish that is slightly salty. Weird blend but tasty nevertheless!
~~Curried Goat and Rice
Hmm......no explanation needed methinks (I didn't and couldn't eat this!)
~~Fried plaintain
Similar to banana, but not as sweet. It is deep fried sometimes and served as crisps.
~~Black bean soup
Yummy!
Fruits were mainly pineapple, mango and pawpaw...all of which I found were sweet and tasty!
Beverages were either Rum (oh god and in plentiful supply) or Blue Mountain Coffee (needed after the rum nights really!!!) this coffee is considered the best in the world.
There are 2 National Holidays in August and most things are closed: 1st August is Emancipation Day and the 3rd August is Independence Day (bit like our bank hols I reckon!)
Sending postcards from MB to UK cost £1 per postcard (but lets face it I reckon they'll take about 4 weeks to get here and I've been back 4 days!!!!!) Just incase you need to know though!
The beach (well, the part we were on) in MB was fab. Sand is powdery and clean and sea is clear and turquoise!!! Nice array of pretty fish if you snorkel and I found the best time to do this was early morning when the sea was at it's stillest (is that a word?!?!)
Montego Bay for all it's plus points does have a down side....the areas surrounding the lovely holiday hotels are under-developed and present high levels of povertyu and depravation. When we travelled from one place to another we saw road upon road of shanty style housing (corrugated roofs, dirt tracks leading up to them, 2 goats and a chicken outside!) Kids were playing with rusty old cars that had been abandoned at the roadsides. We felt very humble to say the least.
If you want to relax, this is a great resort. If you need to be entertained I wouldn't recommend it as there is not a great deal to do. I found that lying horizontal in the sun reading and drinking suited me plenty though!
So why the nervous breakdown you cry???I couldn't cope with the Jamaican laid back attitude....it drove me CRAZY! Instead of calming me down it made me more and more frustrated....maybe it was just me but now I really need a holiday...
very helpful
very helpful
helpful
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
