James

FYI...A friend of mine told me a story about a Jamaican trip taken by a girl he went to highschool with. She was a writer for a travel magazine, and ended up missing. Her purse, personal effects were all found in her hotel room. She was snatched and never heard from again. This story was in the news, and I'm sure the Jamaican authorities have info on this. Why risk it? If you're forking out a few grand for a trip like this, you want a destination where undercover cops and drunk frat clowns are not part of the landscape.

ddd

James, what kind of crap post was that? <BR>Your friend told you this STORY? LOL <BR>Dont listen to James, PLEASE. <BR>Jamaica has good shopping, beaches, food, and culture. Just dont go to Kingston!!!

Janine

I think James is referring to this story about the missing Claudia Kirschhoch, which has been widely reported on TV and in the news since May: <BR> <BR>http://abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/202...d_feature.html <BR> <BR>

tivertonhouse

CAR RENTALS/TRANSPORT IN JAMAICA: We offer our guests 'below rack rate' pricing on car rentals on arrival MoBay on MasterCard and VISA that includes all taxes,insurance and cdw/collision damage waiver. Unless you have a corporate credit card with coverage specifically extended to Jamaica (which few people do have), you need buy the full insurance package at one go.You also need be at least 25 years old and have a regular US or other country driver's license. Cars run about US$375/week or less,depending on season,model.Vans for 6 or more are considerably more expensive.Gas is additional. The non-coverage of most credit cards insurance protection in Jamaica is due solely to the condition of the roads which can be potholey,and sometimes rough going outside the main routes.In Jamaica, driving is on left,Brit-style;roundabouts/traffic circles (and some at 1st baffling signage/'U overtake,we undertake'(self-explanatory) or';Sleeping policemen ahead' for speed bumps or topos) will be probably the only hurdles for you -- as long as you are not a timid or impatient driver. Driving at night can be tough, especially in the country where livestock sleep often on the roads. But having a car is great flexibility. Some car rental agencies can also hire you a driver on arrival day if you don't feel like driving right off the plane ;or they'll deliver to your villa directly. We generally recommend leaving the driving to a local unless you are an adventuresome traveller, and able to relax and just slowly get into the groove.

Tim

Why on earth would you people even WANT to drive around an island that looks like that -- full of poverty and crime?!?!!! All of you need LOBOTOMIES!!!

tivertonhouse

Quite simply, Tim, because Jamaica is seductively spectacular, for its natural beauty, people, visuals, sounds,smells,noise,tastes and attitudes. Suggest you view the following films back-to-back:WIDE SARGASSO SEA and PLEASANTVILLE. And then go to Jamaica with new eyes.

joan

Tivertonhouse wrote: <BR> <BR>"The non-coverage of most credit cards insurance protection in Jamaica is due solely to the condition of the roads which can be potholey,and sometimes rough going outside the main routes" <BR> <BR>I don't think that's the whole story. We've gotten rental car coverage on Eleuthera, St. Lucia, Tortola, etc. They are all, especially St. Lucia, terrible roads. Let's be honest, as ohliz has already said, it's a combination of the roads and the sometimes shifty proprietors on-island.

Carla

Tim, <BR> <BR>One word: GANJA!

Deb

My one and only trip to the Caribbean was Jamaica and it is the best vacation my husband and I ever had. We stayed at Ciboney which I believe is now Beaches (?) and for total relaxation and pampering, all inclusive is the way to go. Through our package we were given a choice of different off property trips and we chose horseback riding through a sugar plantation which wound down to the ocean where we galloped in the waves. A small bus picked us up and we went to a couple of other resorts and picked up three other couples. Our tour guide waited for the little bus to pick us up and she waved us on our way. That was about six years ago and we are still talking about it. I felt very safe on the resort property and on the little shuttle bus. Not a place I would feel comfortable exploring on my own though as most tourists really do stick out like a sour thumb, but if it is something arranged by your resort I say go for it and have fun!!!

ohliz

I don't thnk Tim of "[email protected]" gets out of his bed much. Certainly not his home country, whatever it may be. <BR> <BR>I LOVE driving around Jamaica, it is absolutely drop-dead stunning, especially inland, along and in the mountains. <BR> <BR>picture: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...450&p=34514578 <BR> <BR>..and the beaches are pretty too of course: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...087&p=34514041 <BR> <BR>and there's always the cliffs in Negril: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...087&p=34514141 <BR> <BR>However, I don't care to be the one driving! <BR> <BR>As for Claudia K, tht story was all over the news when it happened last year - 20/20, etc. One missing tourist in how many years? Anyone want to try to claim that nothing like that has ever happened on any other island? Or in the US? Right. <BR> <BR Liz

jj

thanks for advice re: renting a car. can anyone straighten me out - i feel i view over the web a picture of negril that isn't very nice!! where some feel they are in the ghetto i tend to feel i'm having a cultural experience. we have daughters 17 and 20 and chose negril so they would not be bored. can they venture out alone? very hard to tell between truth and exageration - thanks for help

tivertonhouse

JJ:WHERE and WHEN you're staying in Negril often dictates your peace-of-mind. Daytimes anywhere you're fine on the beach or cliffs. Ditto your daughters. Some staying in the West End feel more comfortable being mini-bused to the beach from the cliffs. Nightimes <BR>are best approached with the same caution one would use for a 17 and 20 year old here in the States. During Spring break, they'll definitely get 'hit' on by Americans. Jamaicans are also not unknown to be admirers of female pulchritude. Assuage your concerns by hiring a Jamaican guide/escort,through your hotel or other sourcing (Carolyn Barrett of Barrett [email protected]-- is a superb choice to discover Jamaica beyond the ordinary ), to show your daughters around ,let them have a good time and minimize your worry factor,while giving them some independence.

ohliz

I hear you jj. WHen I see the small homes - some might use the word "shack" - I find it fascinating and different, not trashy or unpleasant. (and in Jamaica I have seen some of the cleanest, most well-kept shacks anywhere). <BR> <BR>To each his own I think a lot of the joy you get from your vacation comes from your own attitude. <BR> <BR Liz

april

Now I really can't wait for our trip to Jamaica in March. There is so much discussion of the island on this post! Sounds like people either love it or hate it. I am curious about which camp I'll be in when I return. <BR>

mary

So are we, April. Dont' forget to let us know.

ohliz

Spring break March? THat's a pretty different time, the island changes quite a bit those 2 weeks. <BR> <BR>Unless you are not staying in a tourist area, then it makes no difference. But a place like Neril is night and day from March to any other time! <BR> <BR Liz

April

So, how exactly does the island change in March? The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful every other month, but not in March? The poorest people live in "shacks" every other month except March, or what? What is so different?<BR><BR>If you are referring to springbreakers I'm not going to be too concerned. We live three blocks away from a college campus, so I'm used to hearing drunks run around in the middle of the night. And besides, the resort we will be at is off the main tourist section of Mo Bay. And, once again, I work in the substance abuse field, so I can't imagine I'll see much worse there than I do at home.<BR><BR>I've resigned myself to the fact that I will probably see drug use happening, or at least smell it <BR><BR>My trip is coming up in nine weeks. I don't think there is much any one could say to me now to convince me not to go to Jamaica. I'm really looking forward to the experience. Maybe I won't have the best time ever, but at least I will have tried someplace new and spent a week away from work, lounging on the beach with my daughter.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Emely

Hi April I stayed at the Sea Castle Resort in Montego Bay. It was a nice clean resort the room was a suite facing the ocean with a balcony. It was by no means nothing fancy but very very clean and the staff very friendly and informative. The pool is clean the grounds very nice, the resort is made up of several buildings each named for a tropical flower. The food is good nothing fancy you eat outdoors either poolside, at the grill or in the main building's restaurant on the balcony. If you drink the hummingbird is a definite fruity must. If you venture out do it in groups there are several outings going on at different times the vans pick up other's at area hotels for shopping etc... Try the trip to Dunne's River Falls it was lots of fun and quite amazing you can also purchase a video of your trip for $30.00 (2yrs ago).Don't be afraid to barter everyone does!!! but be firm when the answer is no. The Mahogany carvings are incredible. Well April I hope you have something to go on now if you have any other questions feel free to email me.What ever you do have a GRREEEAAAAAT TTTIIIMMMMEEE.

ohliz

Yep, I was referring to spring breakers <BR><BR>It's just that it's very crowded during that time, particularly in Negril but also in MoBay, so what might normally be quiet and secluded may not be at that time. In Negril all kinds of temporary stages and even a McDonald's truck come for just that time, and there are the wet t-shirt contests and all that. None of that goes on any other time (except at Hedo I suppose).<BR><BR>If you're accustomed to being around rowdy students, no problem! (and it may not be an issue where you are staying anyway)<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR Liz<BR><BR>PS, my sister used to work for pathways!

April

Hey, Liz...Which Pathways did your sister work for, because there are lots of businesses with the same name. I kind of doubt it is the same place, but you never know.<BR><BR>Emely, thank you for the information. Good to know that the resort will be nice, not fancy but nice. Sounds good to me. <BR><BR>I'm only planning on taking trips in groups--sounds the safest. I am excited to see the falls and just the natural beauty of Jamaica in general.<BR>If there are any other tips you could give me I would appreciate it. I'm going with my 10 year old, so we won't be doing anything too "adult."<BR><BR>I would like more information about Doctor's Cave Beach. How far is it from the hotel, how crowded, atmosphere, etc. I understand you can go snorkeling there. We really want to do water related activities like snorkeling and scuba diving--any advice on where to go?<BR><BR>Thank you everyone for the help!!