Travel Series: Jamaica
Jamaica, one of the most laid back and "chill" countries I have ever been to. It was quite the experience, and it was the first half of my husband and I's honeymoon a few years back.. I had never been to the Caribbean before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. To my surprise, it was the perfect amount of relaxation to activity ratio. Those who know me and Levi (the hubs) knows how hard we travel, meaning we don't sit around much. This is not everyone's ideal travel style, so if this is not you (I apologize in advance for the busy bee travel series).
Their currency is the Jamaican dollar, so similar to names in the USA. Check out the conversion rates here. It is always a good idea to get your currency BEFORE you get to the airport, as they will naturally rip you off once you get past security and have no other options. You will be glad you did when you see the conversion rates! If you plan on driving, be mindful that they drive on the opposite side of the road similar to the UK, and Australia. When it doubt, call a taxi service or ask your hotel for transportation accommodations as the roads are a little bit CRAZY! Honking in Jamaica is NORMAL! It is their way of communicating on the road. A few little honks here and there are friendly "hello" "I am on your left" "I am going to go" and a long lay on the horn universally means an upset driver.
Where We Went
We travelled to the beautiful city of Negril which is in Western Jamaica. It has a very small population of around 7,000 people which is tiny, but then again the island is small too which gives it a nice feel. For the most part we stayed in Negril, and also ventured nearby to Montego Bay which is a hot spot for tourism. The beaches were amazing, and there were miles of white sand beaches around every corner. We travelled to a few and I took some pretty amazing pictures..
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the beautiful Rockhouse Hotel in Negril, and it was nothing short of spectacular. For more information about this hotel and on rates click here. It seemed like we had to whole place to ourselves even though people were staying there along with us, but the way the rooms were set up, each room had its own view and oceanside feel. The staff was AMAZING, can I say AMAZING one more time? So friendly, and they made the BEST jerk chicken out of a black barrel smoker, I can smell it now! If you get a chance to go to Jamaica, PLEASE eat a lot of jerk chicken. The picture below is my husband Levi backflipping off of our balcony, talented man!
The little Push Cart restaurant at the hotel served the most delicious banana pancakes for breakfast, and the most amazing barrel jerk chicken as mentioned before. They also hosted a small cooking class for us to be apart of, and the meal was "seafood soup" with many different types of sea life (octopus, fish, squid, clams) all cooked to perfection in this Jamaican pot. I personally don't like seafood, but my husband said it was the most amazing meal he had ever had! Well worth the experience for sure.
What To Do
Track and field is HUGE in this country. We were walking to the "indoor-outdoor" hang out area of our hotel grounds and sure enough there was a local track and field event being televised. Naturally everyone including the staff was hunkered around the small TV cheering the runners on and celebrating. It was a very authentic Jamaican experience to say the least!
Aside from TV- which you won't really be watching unless it is a track and field event with the locals, there are many white sand beaches to comb, and water activities to indulge in. We took jet skis on the ocean for a few hours, and it was a blast (highly recommend). After we jet skied we met up with an awesome guy named "Vincent" and took a ride in his glass bottom boat. The boat was named " Famous Vincent Elvira Glass Bottom Boat" and the tour was amazing. We went snorkeling out in a reef, and experienced the most amazing sea life. Vincent went along with us, and showed us what to pick up and toured us all around the reef. Still the best snorkeling I have ever done to this day beating out Hawaii, Cabo, and Vietnam.
Other Mentionable Tourist Spots:
Jamaican ATV- Off Road Adventure Tour
Canopy Tour
Negril Sightseeing and Sunset tour
Rick's Cafe
Mayfield Falls Tour
Deep Sea Fishing Tours
Scuba Diving Tours
Seven Mile Beach
Rick's Cafe was a memorable one for sure. A little trip from Montego Bay, but well worth the views, excitement, and food. Do yourself a favor, and see Ricks Cafe! They have a large pole with a diving board style plank overhanging a clear pool inlet of ocean. Of course, the locals were jumping off of the plank and plunging into the clear blue Jamaican water right around the patio of Rick's. When you are in Jamaica, you are nearly always in your bathing suits so we came ready. Levi surprised all of the locals, and took one for the team.
Above is a picture of my husband enjoying one of the hammocks on the grounds at Rick's Cafe. In the distance you can see the famous light house of Negril.
Other mentionable things: Be safe. You will look like a tourist, and get heckled like one too. Don't be rude to the locals just be firm when you do not want something. Leave your valuables at your home as well to avoid any heartbreak or temptations. This country needs tourism and is very poor for the most part, so be mindful that your dollars are the only thing they want from you at times. It is a very chill vibe, and many people sit on their front porches all day playing with their children and watching people go by every single day. Finally, Bob Marley is alive and well in Jamaica still, so enjoy some good Reggae music, and the local vibe of this beautiful country!
Lata Mon,
xoxo Lauren Nicole
