Kingston for a short vacation
 

Hi.
I was wondering if anyone has been to Kingston, Jamaica recently. I have heard a lot about it being unsafe and congested. Is that still the case?
My wife and I were planning on doing a 2 day stop-over there before we returned home to Canada. We will be staying in Montego Bay for a week and half.
I really enjoy experiencing the culture of a country when I go on vacation.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes, there is alot of crime and gangs in that part of Jamaica. I would choose a different part of the island to visit.

Kinngston, like any major city has its problems. I work on the island from time to time and normally stay in Kingston upon arrival before heading to my destination. Then I try to stay in Kingston again before flying home. There are a few good hotels - I'm usually at the Jamaica Pegasus. Be sure to stay in the New Kingston area. Not bad for a night or two. And thats enough time for Kingston if you're planning a more extended stay at MoBay. Don't know if your planning to drive, but Kingston can be a challange.

Kimberly's advice om finding another place to spend a day or two is a good idea. Don't know your interests, if you want a more nontouristy place you can try Mandeville or Black river for a day.

Kingston knows who belong and who doesn't and takes full advantage. Best done with a guide, the city can be exciting with its new passa-passa/block parties, some good food at Red Bones and other small upscale restaurants and more. It's a city with many areas 'off-limits' for even the most intrepid. You can stay outside the city, about 45 min.above it at the luxe STRAWBERRY HILL, part of the IslandOutpost Chris Blackwell group of small boutique hotels (great restaurant, spa, views) up in Irish Town. OR stay in the city at a small mews guesthouse -- if high-rise hotels aren't your thing. We recommend island-wide guide Carolyn Barrett ([email protected])
to guide you from MoBay to Kingston and therein and abouts if you're flying back to Canada through Norman Manley.

P.S. There's also about an hour from
the city, a quite amazing last=of-the-raj tea plantation-style British Colonial villa, set in gardens in the lush green of the Blue Mountains. It's called FARAWAY -- and it is just that.
Storybook time...
See www.faraway.com or speak to Rebecca Wiersma at [email protected]
3 night mininums/all food incl. After a week in MoBay, it might be a better extension that would allow you access via guide to Kingston -- plus, coffee bean plantations, historic gardens (hike to Chinchona), roadside places like The Gap where Ian Fleming penned one of the Bond books -- and one of Jamaica's last unspoiled places.

www.farawayjamaica.com is the correct URL for Faraway

Definitely hire a guide/driver for Kingston, do NOT try to drive yourself around.

Suggest for a first stay, to stay at the Courtleigh in New Kingston (I prefer it these days to the other two hotels there).

Get a driver to drive you up into the hills, maybe stop at Strawberry Hill etc....if you are a golfer, play Constant Spring, it is a unique experience.... but make sure to play Constant Spring in mango season... (local knowledge.... they have thousands of mature mango trees, seems like the caddies live off them !)

Look for No.11 or Julie mango, the sweetest on island.

I prefer east indian or bombay myself.