Judy

Jamaica has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribben at Negril. When I was a single mother, I went to Jamaica many times because it's much cheaper out of Chicago due to the charter flights. My husband and I were married there at Grand Lido which is a deluxe all-inclusive resort. We vacationed at a small property in the middle of Negril beach with four other couples and had a good time...but I try to advise my clients to stay in an all-inclusive resort and not to plan to leave. I haven't been back to Jamaica for seven years since I discovered many other islands. I've always felt an unlying unrest in Jamaica. The people are street-wise when it comes to begging....even children. I realize Jamaica is a very poor country but I've been to islands just as poor and the people have dignity. It's sad.

Roger

I was in Jamaica (Ocho Rios) last week. There are better places to spend my money. Would not go back.

G.WALTERS

Sadly the island of Jamaica is not as safe as it once was. A longtime friend visits the island three or four times a year. He reports that for a number of reasons, both political and economic, the best bet for the average U.S. tourist is indeed to avoid Jamaica or at the very least stay at a Negril area all-inclusive and DO NOT LEAVE THE PROPERTY. My friend is a minister and knows the island well.

Lynn

I've been following this topic since it began, and thought several times about posting, but didn't because I am one of those people who visited Jamaice via cruise ship. I may not have experienced the full flavor if Jamaica, but I can tell you that within the first three hours on the island, my husband and I were accosted by a local who demanded money from us for himself and three other men in a crowded downtown street, approached by locals not far from the ship to buy drugs, and chased down by another local who demanded money from us when we took her picture outside of a shopping area. If this is the flavor of Jamaica, sorry, but I don't like the taste it left in my mouth. To Lee from Pennsvlvania, I don't know where in PA you live, but where I live in PA, we do treat visitors with dignity. There are some people who demand to be treated like royalty no matter where they go (and these people are not always Americans, either), but I think what most tourists hope for in there travels is to be treated humanely. I don't feel it's humane to travel thousands of miles to an island to have to stay locked up in an all inclusive as several have suggested. This is not seeing the flavor of a culture. Judy stated it right--there are many third world nations out there. Some just have more dignity than others which makes them more attractive to visit.

Renee

Beautiful Island!But CRIME,CRIME,CRIME!Its a REAL CRIME they cant cean up ther act so everyone can enjoy this paradise!

Hyro

What does the US State Department say in their worldwide warnings about Jamaica?

hyacinth.

My gut reaction when I first read these some of the comments was to be very defensive towards my country but instaed I will attempt to be positive and just make a few observations. My family and I are returning residents, (35yrs in england) we are now entering our 2nd year.We live amongst ordinary people and "visitors" spend their vacation with us on a regular basis. <BR> I just want to share a few of my experieces of visiting other countries. Turkey - my daughter was seriously assaulted. When we reported the incident, we were told that is wahrt tourist ask for, my daughter broke her arm we drove 2 hrs to find a hospital, no x-ray machine (sound familiar), we were harassed every 5 minutes, America - we were verbally and physically abused and mugged, france - we were ran off the road there, and offered sex whilst waiting in traffic, Holland - we were offered durgs galore, sex, etc.But for all of these negatives we have visited most of those countries again even turkey that we love. On each of our trips we have bourne in mind that we are visitors, we try to respect the people whome we meet. We never expect to be treated as special or that we are doing the locals a favour by visiting there country. Jamaica has a variety of problems, and millions of dollars is spent every year by our goverment to meet the needs of the 'VISITORS' namely those from the US and the "all inclusives" yet it is never enough. On the other hand the "servants" of the tourists industry, namely locals, earn an average of $55US per week for an average 50 hour week. Many of our decent housing is owned by "visitors". Locals are not allowed on over 99% of the beaches, they are reserved for "visitors". Each year thousands is spent, prviding more security for the "visitors", better roads, more hotels that treat jamaicans like lepers yet it is still not enough. Many of the workers that, smile and say "no problem" probably sleeps at night on cardboard boxes, has no running water, and their main meal is chicken bones for broth, yet they are encouraged to go the "extra mile" for the "visitors", yet it is never enough. Each week I read in our newspapers of the number of visitors that have been stopped at ports laden with drugs, I take it someone held them at gun point and strapped the drugs to their bodies. I have been walking along the streets and male tourist have harassed me for sex, drugs, foreign exchange, etc. At night our clubs are bursting with visitors hoping to get high on cheap booze, ganga, and maybe pick up a partner for the night far less than what they would pay in their own country. Locals experience harassement and anti-social behaviour from visitors as well.The vast majority of jamaicans would like to welcome visitors, but "visitors" rarely meet us. We work hard, we don't do drugs, we have the same concerns and values as our "visitors". We are intelligent and we have the same goals and aspirations as the "visitors", and we go to the bank for our money not the beeches of Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay etc. some of us even don't even like reggae music and we have heard of mozart etc, the ballet and al a carte menus. We would like visitors to experience the real jamaica, to talk to us the real people of Jamaica, not just the ones that you meet on the beach, or the in-bond shops or from the seclusion of your tour busses. We do not see Jamaica as a 'tourist" paradise, it is our home, warts and all, and it is on the behalf of these Jamaicans that I regret the negative experiences that some of our visitors have encountered. But I would ask those of you that are still considering Jamaica to please remember that hospitality and respect is a two way process. <BR>IRIE.

Rose

Hyacinth, thank you for your thoughtful, enlightening post. I am a <BR>US citizen and frequent visitor to Jamaica and have gotten to know a few <BR>families there quite well. What you write about many people's situations in <BR>Jamaica is so on target; especially regarding living conditions. Each time <BR>I visit, I'm continually amazed that people are so hospitable-even when they <BR>have very little themselves. The wonderful people are Jamaica's greatest <BR>asset. Thank you for saying something that needed to be said. Respect

jenny

I am another one who would NEVER return to Jamaica. Beautiful, yes. But the street vendors, prostitutes and drug sellers are awful. <BR> <BR>Worse yet, was the POLICEMAN who planted marijuana on my husband as we were waiting at the airport to leave, then demanding a $300 bribe to "forget about it". While they were rattling away in the pidgeon English they adopt when they don't want to be understood, we were terrified. <BR> <BR>We finally convinced him we didn't have that much left. If he wanted any money, he'd have to take a check, which he did. Needless to say we stopped payment on it as soon as we got home. <BR> <BR>The Jamaican tourist bureau, the consulate, & embassy all received letters with a copy of the front & back of the check which my bank copied before returning it to Jamaica. They didn't even bother to reply. <BR> <BR>I've visited more than one third world country and have never expected American standards. As a matter of fact, I make an effort to meet the native people and get to know them. One of the employees of the hotel we stayed at invited us to dinner in his yard in MoBay, and we went and had a great time. <BR> <BR>I'm sure there are many third world countries which are worse, the problem is they're not trying to pass themselves off as a tourist destination. That's the key here. When even the police are crooked, with the best of them ignoring the drugs and prostitution and the worst of them joining in on the crime, what recourse does a tourist have who has a problem? <BR> <BR>I agree with earlier postings. There are too many other beautiful places to go, to bother with the hassle you get in Jamaica.

Chris Kiger

Just got back from Jamaica and couldn't disagree more with the negative postings about Jamaica. It was a wonderful and beautiful country and I am looking forward to going back. . For me a Jamaica vacation is about chilling out in an all inclusive resort (Grand Lido is incredible) and not roaming about the country. If you do this, you will not encounter any problems. The Jamaican people I met at the resort were unfailingly polite and friendly and I got better consistent service in Jamaica than I have ever received in the US. The anti-Jamaica postings on this site are the equivalent of a non-American writing to never visit the United States becuase of the poverty they saw in Appalachia, the rudeness experienced in New York City, and the crime they experienced in Watts. Jamaica is a small country and it is probably easy to experience all of this, but it is also very easy to avoid. <BR>

L

I'm sorry...but if the only way to avoid the crime of Jamaica is to "chill out"at a resort for my whole vacation, I'll take my $$ and invest in better landscaping for my own backyard. I'm not saying there is anything the matter with chilling out at a resort during your whole stay in Jamaica, but ...what a pitty! For such a beautiful island, it is not saying much to spend thousands of dollars to sit around a hotel for your whole stay. <BR>I would really love to try Jamaica, it looks so pretty and there are so many things to see and do...but I like a vacation where I feel "realatively" safe (caution anywhere is wise) in & outside of my resort. We just returned from a lovely trip to St. Lucia, where the St. Lucians were lovely proud people, not pushy at all, and generally happy and fun to be around. Its nice to be able to go on vacation, and be able to get a taste of local culture and site see without the above noted things constantly happening. <BR>I'd love to read more positive experiences from visitors to Jamaica, who enjoyed the culture and scenery and got to know a bit about the island and people without feeling harrassed or unsafe. Has anyone ventured out safely? or do you really enter Jamaicas country at your own risk???

tterryj50

I was to Jamaica ONCE!!!!!!!!


Jah Rastafari

Robin

Same here, ONCE!! And in my opinion, one time to many...I totally agree with the original post from Jake.

liza

Way to up a 6 year old post....

We love Jamaica, we take our kids every other year, go without them on the off years...rent a car, drive around, stay in villas, hotels, guesthouses and generally have a blast climbing waterfalls, hiking in mountains, laying on beaches and swimming in blue lagoons....

To each their own I guess....if we all loved the place it would be too crowded

jacketwatch

How true Liza. We have been 3 (read &quot;tree&quot; as it would be said there!) and had no problems. I was especially amused by the post about medical facilities. How ignorant. Thats why it is called the 3rd world.

Diana

I too am always amused by the posts saying how &quot;awful&quot; and slummy and scary and etc., etc, etc. - insert derogatory adjective here - a place that they chose for vacation is.

Are people so narrow-minded and poorly-traveled and ignorant that they truly think that everyone in the world has a job and a ranch house and 2.5 kids and two cars?

I'm with you Liza, let the people who want a white-washed Disneyesque vacation stay away from the roads less traveled. That way, there will always be uncrowded beaches and hotel rooms available for me.

sarah32

We have never gone to Jamaica- Mostly because of what we have heard from travelers that have been there.
I must say we have been to MANY third world countries and have had only one pick pocket incident in Cancun. Seems like many people have the negitive stories of Jamaica- Hopefully the country will get a grip before it is too late...

I agree- why stay at a resort to protect yourself for the people and country?...
I think it is a huge problem when as a traveler, one has to hide.

andreaac

People, get a clue! This thread is over 5 years old. Geez!

jacketwatch

Anreaa get a clue yourself. Its a free forum.

superdan

Having been to Jamaica 3 times I can honestly say I am amazed at some of the comments I have read. As a resident of Pennsylvania, the only royalty I ever see is the annual &quot;Coal Queen&quot; &amp; she gets her share of respect, I suppose. Anyway; I have made some very good friends during our trips, some of which we stay in touch every few weeks or so. We usually take some gifts for our friends &amp; they reciprocate in the same manner. This past year we were given a pound of Blue Mountain coffee &amp; a hand carved vase, made from &quot;maho&quot;. If you give respect, you get respect I believe.Remember in whose country you are visiting &amp; avoid areas where you don't feel secure, just like home!