randy

hi there, i am concerned about tipping we are staying at the renaicssance jamaica grande in march and will be going to dunn's falls and on a raft trip - i have heard that some people have been chased back into their resort after tipping $20. on the raft trip which to me seems reasonable how much do they expect you to tip? i have also read that is costs $15. just to get out of the airport???? also how much can we expect to pay for hair braiding? any info would be greatly appreciated!?!?!?

xxx

hair brainding is usually $2 per braid or $50-60 for the whole head. Get the price before you sit down for the braiding. Remeber to use sunsreen on the "naked" scalp areas so it won't burn. If you are concerned about tipping potters at the airport, use rolly type luggage and pull it yourself. You don't have to go very far. I've never rafted so can't help you there.

April

Usually a 15-20% tip is customary there as it is in the US. For exceptional service 25%. Get a cab to take your for braids. Tell them you need a good job. They will take you to a "friend", probably get whole head for 30-35 dollars. Also if your shop around for braids in a craft market, you can get a better deal. If you don't like one price start to walk off to another vendor, I promise the price will come down!! EVERYTHING is negotiable in Jamaica!

April

Forgot to tell your the $15 to get out of the airport is probably the departure tax that is being referred to. When you get there just ask how much the departure tax is and put that amount up in a safe place until you leave.

nico

Thanks for good thoughts on hair braiding. Anyone know how long it usually takes to do a whole head? Also, I'm often surprised at costs for JA services since I had heard avg JA wage is $15/day. Can't figure out then why a head braiding would be $40 to 60, or a 2 hr raft trip is $40 plus big big tip. Are my facts wrong?

beth

When I had my hair braided in Jamaica it took just over one hour and I have slightly long, straight hair. Others who had theirs done took anywhere from <BR>1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. I guess that it really depends on the stylist and the hair type(cost was $50). Just one tip, bring your own comb if you are having it done on the beach or anywhere other than a salon. I spoke with someone who decided against having their hair done because the "stylist" on the beach pulled a "community comb" out of her bag (it was in pretty bad condition!).

Lisa

I just got back from Grand Rennaisance 5 days ago from a 2 week vacation. No tipping at the hotel ( PERIOD ! ) <BR>It's included in your all-inclusive package. If you take the boat to Dunn River from the hotel you sign up at the activities desk outside on the beach. ( The watersports sign up area) Your not gonna get chased down by anyone. Tipping on the boat is at your free-will. We gave them 3.00 cause they had rum punch for us on the way back. There IS a Jamaica departure tax fee of 27.00 US $$ HOWEVER, it should be included in your tickets. The only way to know is to check w/ your travel agent. <BR>There's an MLT rep at the Grande named Georgetta, she's really nice & knows a lady about 3 blocks away that will do a whole head of braids for 30.00 or 1/2 head for 15.00. ASK HER. The one's on the streets & beach are expensive ! People at the airport want 50 cents per piece of luggage. No big deal if you have alot like we did ! The Dunn River Fall's trip is 27.00 by boat or 15.00 by bus ( boat is a better view & you get drinks, music etc.. ) <BR>The servers at the hotel that have yellow shirts w/ green flowers going down the sides are hired seasonal help & they make only 40.00 a week. The others get normal Jamaican pay. <BR>Randy ... if you have specific questions, e-mail me ! It's still fresh in my mind ! <BR>Lisa <BR>[email protected]

Miranda

You don't HAVE to tip at the Grande, but if you feel service was worth something extra, do tip, they don't make alot of $$$. We didn't tip everyone all the time (except maid), tipped sometimes & was always appreciated, just do so discreetely. The departure tax was not included in our package, we had to pay that separately so keep an extra $60 or so on the side just in case, unless you know for a fact you don't have to pay it. They don't accept credit cards. <BR> <BR>By the way, the 1 thing I'll never forget about Jamaica is when we were arrived at the airport for our return flight home - there were about 20 guys standing outside waiting to help people w/their luggage. There were only four people on our van ride home - my Boyfriend & I & two young women. Luggage handlers rushed to help them w/their luggage, but NOBODY offered to help us. We got upset at first but decided to hell w/it - saved us at least another $5 in tips & we lugged our stuff inside ourselves, w/about 20 baggage handlers chatting & watching on the sides. That really shocked us, but we would return to Jamaica & the Grande TOMORROW if possible! Have a great time!

randy

thank you for all the responses - does the hair braider come to the hotel or do you go to their home and is this safe? <BR> <BR>also this is why i am asking the question i think $20. tip for the raft ride is sufficient but i have heard that people have been chased back into the resort for additional money! <BR> <BR>we do usually tip the maid at the end of our vacation and then when you go to dunn's falls do you have to tip everyone you come in contact with ?!? it seems annoying!

Lisa

Randy- <BR>Georgetta will TAKE you to her little beauty shop in Ocho Rios. Very safe!!! <BR>If you tip 20.00, you won't get chased . There not allowed on the resort. You pull up by boat, get off on the dock & go around the bend to the resort. You don't have to tip everyone. There's only your tour guide ( the one that takes you up the falls, takes pictures etc... & your people on the boat ) if your gonna be a high roller tipper. The guide that takes pics. for you should be the one ! You'll have ever-lasting memories with those pictures !!!! <BR>E-mail me if you need further . I've been e-mailing specifics of The Hotel, car renting, tours etc.... all weekend to someone that's going there soon. I could just send you all the forwards that I sent her !!!!!! <BR>Lisa

Lisa

Randy, <BR> Are you w/ Debbie ???? It's the same <BR>rcn.com ????? <BR>Anyways, I e-mailed you everything I sent her !!!

Lisa

randy, <BR>One more thing.... <BR>Bring lots of ones & 5's for tipping & shopping !!!!! So glad that someone tipped me off to this before we went! <BR>Have a great time <BR> Lisa

abe

Have not been to renaissance Grande but went to sandals in 1999. Tipping was strictly not allowed at Sandals and employees would be fired on the spot if they were found to have accepted one from you. If it is th esame at your hotel, please don't even try to give the maid one. If you feel compelled because you received excellent service maybe leave a small gift such as chocolates, bottle of wine etc. As far as outside excursions go, I agree 20% is the proper tip with good service. You didn't mention how much the rafting trip was so I can't say whether $20 is proper or not. Remember as you said these people (tour guides, not resort workers) are paid very litttle and take these jobs for the tips. <BR> <BR>i am very picky when it comes to hairbraiding and wouldn't dare have my hair braided in town at a market or on the beach even with my own comb. who knows where their hands or hairbands have been? This is not a clean country. Our resort had a salon on the premises and Jamaicans were hired by resort to do hairbraiding there. I have very thick curly just below my shoulders hair. It took me about 3 hours and cost $80 plus I gave a $20 tip. to me it was worth it to pay more and make sure it was sanitary! <BR> <BR>As far as the airport goes, I have several tips (no pun intended for you) wRight after you clear customs, there will be lots of people running up to to carry your luggage. If you are taking a taxi or bus to your hotel, by all means give them you luggage as the parking lot is pretty far and the customary tip is less than $1/bag. But if your all-inclus. package includes airport transfers by the hotel, walk past all these people and down a hall thru a door and into a big room. this will be like walking a gauntlet but hold on to your luggage. When you hit this room there will be different areas with reps for different resorts. Find you resort and the rep will do the rest and take care of your luggage getting out to parking lot. these are employess of your resort and because no tipping allowed to resort employees, you don't tip. <BR> <BR>As for the departure tax $27/person, we were told it would not be included in our package so we held back $60 cash for return to airport. When we got there, it turned out it was included and we didn't need it ,but better safe than sorry!

beth

I have to agree with the previous posting by abe. I, too, am very picky when it comes to my hair and sanitary conditions. The cost information that I listed earlier was for a resort stylists braiding services (I would not care to have my hair done anywhere but in a salon). She did a terrific job! <BR> <BR>One other tip...when you are ready to remove your braids, pile on the hair conditioner and let it sit for several minutes. Then lay in a tub of water and they almost unravel themselves. If you try to unravel them with dry hair, it can be very time consuming (and uncomfortable!).