How much time in jamaica?
Jan 8th, 2003, 05:23 AM
#1
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How much time in jamaica?
I'm going to Jamaica in June with my girlfriend. We have reservations at the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay, and the Marriott Renaissance in Ocho Rios.<BR><BR>1.) How is Ocho Rios?<BR><BR>2.) How much time should we plan for the vacation? We were debating between 5 or 6 Full Days in Jamaica (plus our 2 "travel" days). What would you go for...5 or 6? Is that too much time?<BR><BR>3.) How would you split up your time in Jamaica? Right now, we have 2 days in Ocho Rios and 3 days in Montego Bay.<BR><BR>4.) Would you recommend any day trips on the island or off of the island? Where?<BR><BR>Thanks!!!
Jan 8th, 2003, 05:47 AM
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Jeremy,<BR><BR>Here is my advice:<BR><BR>1) Ochos Rios is great. Far better than Montego Bay. Better yet, skip both Montego Bay and Ochos Rios, and go to Negril. Most people who have been around Jamaica will agree...<BR><BR>2) 5 or 6 days is only a start-stay longer if possible. You will not get bored. <BR><BR>3) Avoid Montego Bay - anyplace in Jamaica (except Kingston) would be better - go to Negril, or spend the whole time in Ochos Rios.<BR><BR>4) Since you are staying such a short time, I'm not sure I would do any day trips. If you do decide to do a trip - Dunn's Falls is very near Ochos Rios. Check out the falls, but not on a tour bus - walk out to the street and negotiate the price with a cab driver. You will save money, and have a better time.<BR><BR>Good Luck,<BR>Eric<BR>
Jan 8th, 2003, 09:29 AM
#3
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Agree with Eric that 5 days is not nearly enough...we go for 10 days - 2 weeks every year and there is still a LOT we haven't seen yet.<BR><BR>MoBay has it's charms for some people...I like Negril better too but that's because it is more casual. If you like the Ritz, casual may not be your thing 
<BR><BR>Negril does have the best beach though.<BR><BR>One favorite day trip of ours is a waterfall of some kind. I've been to Dunn's, Mayfield, YS Falls and a couple of smaller private ones. Mayfield was my favorite but that's because it was least crowded. Dunn's is stunning but often packed. In traveling to Mayfield or YS, unlike Dunn's, you get the benefit of some gorgeous mountain scenery and the opportunity to see some small Jamaican towns, quite different from what you will see staying along the north coast.
<BR><BR>Negril does have the best beach though.<BR><BR>One favorite day trip of ours is a waterfall of some kind. I've been to Dunn's, Mayfield, YS Falls and a couple of smaller private ones. Mayfield was my favorite but that's because it was least crowded. Dunn's is stunning but often packed. In traveling to Mayfield or YS, unlike Dunn's, you get the benefit of some gorgeous mountain scenery and the opportunity to see some small Jamaican towns, quite different from what you will see staying along the north coast.
Jan 8th, 2003, 10:15 AM
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Knowing you'll 'lose' a travel day on each end, try for 10 days if you can to more fully decompress from the States and appreciate the runnins in Jamaica,or at least the 8. 8-15 June is the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival if you're there around that time. Skewing more days in Ochee over MoBay might well be the better idea -- esp.since you could then take a day or overnight trip to Port Antonio. You'll be staying luxe at both hotels, so daytrips out into the country with good guides (see other postings here) are really almost mandatory if you want more than a resort view of island.
Jan 8th, 2003, 10:52 AM
#5
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Marriot Rennaisance in Ocho Rios? Never heard of that one. Could someone verify which resort that is? Could it be the Renaissance Jamaica Grande?<BR><BR>I agree with the other posters re: skipping Montego Bay. I would instead spend the entire trip in Ocho Rios. If you can stretch your time to say 7-10 days, then do Negril and then Ocho Rios (the best of both worlds).
Jan 8th, 2003, 11:00 AM
#6
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I also recommend Negril - we had a fantastic time there - great beach culture and lots to do.<BR><BR>Ocho Rios is nice - good shopping and convenients for some of the day trips - Dunns River Falls etc.<BR><BR>I wouldn't do Montego Bay - very busy.<BR><BR>10 days is a nice amount. We spent a week in Negril and thought a few more days would be perfect.<BR><BR>
Jan 8th, 2003, 12:13 PM
#7
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For what it's worth......<BR>Staying at the Ritz is not really like you're staying in Montego Bay. It's a good 20 min from the heart of the city and though not particually Jamaican, it's very very nice. <BR><BR>If it were me, I'd plan on staying 3 nights Ocho and 3 nights at the Ritz. Its really a nice thing to be so close to the airport (Ritz) on your last day. Then you can request a late check out and enjoy your last hours more. Plus your departure from The Ritz will be much more civilized then from any hotel you'll stay at in Ocho.<BR><BR>Are you using the $345.00 "Keys to Paradise" special at The Ritz? If not, you should be. It is absolutely the very best bargin on the island during that time period. (food, drinks, taxs and all for 2 pp for $345.00 per night)<BR><BR>Have fun!
Jan 8th, 2003, 12:23 PM
#8
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Yes, I have the reservation at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande.<BR><BR>And, thank you everyone for info on the Ritz / Montego Bay. One of the reasons why we're going there is that my girlfriend works for the company -- so, we get a rate of $50 per night. Not bad...still worth it?
