Anyone been to Jamaica?

Just booked a family holiday to Jamaica in November, laughably we went in to the travel agents to book a summer holiday to Spain during the school holidays, but it was the same price to go to Montego Bay

Anyway we've booked the Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Ive never been to the Caribbean before so im really excited to hear from anyone who has been before.

Im aware of Dunn River falls, but is that any other must see stuff there??

No I havent Gavin, but really interested in u telling me all about your visit when you get back, Ive always wanted to visit those type of countries, maybe one day, enjoy

No I havent Gavin, but really interested in u telling me all about your visit when you get back, Ive always wanted to visit those type of countries, maybe one day, enjoy

I'll be sure to take a BLUEBIRDS towel Annis

went there last year in november,much better than going to greece or spain in summer.

No I havent Gavin, but really interested in u telling me all about your visit when you get back, Ive always wanted to visit those type of countries, maybe one day, enjoy

I'll be sure to take a BLUEBIRDS towel Annis

I knew we could depend on you Gavin, to fly the flag for us

went there last year in november,much better than going to greece or spain in summer.

Gimme some tips and advice then mate

Do the Luminous lagoon boat trip was a cheap trip and amazing sight at night

went there last year in november,much better than going to greece or spain in summer.

Gimme some tips and advice then mate

don't bother doing the bob marley trip,(unless you're into that)stuck on a bus for a couple of hours just to see where he was born.loads of kids scrounging .and some darkie trying to sell you some weed from a hole in a wall.weather was brill didn't see a cloud all fortnight and was in the thirties.(burnt my head).lots of jerk chicken and rum cocktails

Mystic Mountain is a bit of fun, it's where the Jamaican bobsleigh team practised, need a head for heights though, an interesting cable car ride to get to the top.

Be prepared for seeing lots of squalller outside tourist parts, montego bay one of highest murder rate in world! Take usual precausions be fine, enjoyed my holiday there but was on oposite side from mb, always prefer caribbean to europe go every winter.

Yes, I've been.

We stayed in Sandals resort in Ocho Rios - lovely hotel etc, but felt slightly at risk any time we left the resort. Armed response units at different places houses on the transfer from the airport didn't give the best first impression, so we we only ventured out once or twice!!

Dunns River Falls is a GREAT excursions, well worth it.

Lovely weather, have a great time!

We went to Sandals Montego Bay in September 2009 for honeymoon , we mainly stayed in the resort but we did go to Dunn River Falls you climb a waterfall from the beach to the top. Did snorkelling which is amazing highly recommend ( I did want to do Scuba diving but couldn't do it because of chance of getting the Bends )
Also went to a sugar plantation get to try sugar in all its stages and they give you rum.
You can visit where James Bond film Live and Let Die was filmed to.
Definitely try Jerk Chicken,Bread Fruit and beef patties

We went to Sandals Montego Bay in September 2009 for honeymoon , we mainly stayed in the resort but we did go to Dunn River Falls you climb a waterfall from the beach to the top. Did snorkelling which is amazing highly recommend ( I did want to do Scuba diving but couldn't do it because of chance of getting the Bends )
Also went to a sugar plantation get to try sugar in all its stages and they give you rum.
You can visit where James Bond film Live and Let Die was filmed to.
Definitely try Jerk Chicken,Bread Fruit and beef patties

Dunn River Falls though is in Ocho Rios though so will probably take a day off of you, I advice you to buy some water shoes off of Amazon for a few quid rather than pay the same for hiring them ( I did it the 2nd time I went back on a cruise stop in Ocho Rios) they have a craft market at the end of it , they can be quite pushie with trying to get you to buy something so I would advise leaving the craft market at the end, as I found out if you so much as look at something they think you want it and follow you around haggling a price

Yes, I've been.

We stayed in Sandals resort in Ocho Rios - lovely hotel etc, but felt slightly at risk any time we left the resort. Armed response units at different places houses on the transfer from the airport didn't give the best first impression, so we we only ventured out once or twice!!

Dunns River Falls is a GREAT excursions, well worth it.

Lovely weather, have a great time!

Yes we were advised to stay in the resort we went out only for day trips as its a bit intimidating seeing armed guards everywhere.

Went to the sandals resort in Montego Bay 2 years ago - lovely place, but like some other comments, you did feel a bit uneasy when walking outside of the hotel - and there's load of bloody crabs everywhere.

the sea was quite rough ( I got literally washed away one day) so snorkelling was out of the question etc.

The guys in canoes who used to paddle along the beach at 7am in the morning trying to sell you Weed were funny as hell!

hope you enjoy it

Went to the sandals resort in Montego Bay 2 years ago - lovely place, but like some other comments, you did feel a bit uneasy when walking outside of the hotel - and there's load of bloody crabs everywhere.

the sea was quite rough ( I got literally washed away one day) so snorkelling was out of the question etc.

The guys in canoes who used to paddle along the beach at 7am in the morning trying to sell you Weed were funny as hell!

hope you enjoy it

Went to the sandals resort in Montego Bay 2 years ago - lovely place, but like some other comments, you did feel a bit uneasy when walking outside of the hotel - and there's load of bloody crabs everywhere.

the sea was quite rough ( I got literally washed away one day) so snorkelling was out of the question etc.

The guys in canoes who used to paddle along the beach at 7am in the morning trying to sell you Weed were funny as hell!

hope you enjoy it

They were selling watches and sunglasses when I was there
When did you go for the sea to be rough?

Lived there for two years & loved it.

Here's some things to try:
Croydon Plantation ... coffee & pineapples!
Mayfield Falls ... much less commercial than Dunns River & more laid back (though not quite so spectacular)
Ricks Cafe Negril. Go just before sunset & try the cliff jumping if you're up to it!
Obviously a day at Doctor's Cave Beach & try the Pork Pit afterwards ... most tourists do! Don't be conned to eat too much jerk sauce. It WILL blow your head off.
Deep Sea fishing
Rafting on the Martha Brae

Don't be too put off by people trying to sell you things, they're only trying to make a living. Best way to buy is to go to where they do the woodcraft. Lots of time & effort is put in to make things. I got my Jamaican friends to barter for me but you can still get a bargain. Watch how it's done/not done first!

Enjoy maan (I'm jealous!)

Best man at a wedding in Ocho Rios this time next year. Any advice or thoughts on the place from people who've been there?

First went in 1991, then had a day trip in 2001 (cruise stop), so although a while ago as the Railway Tavern lasted 10 years it might still be in Mo Bay. The best ice cream I ever tasted and in unusual flavours - Egg Nog, Black Walnut (very different from the normal walnut - very aromatic), but it was the surprise of the final product, after choosing the more expensive biscuit cone. The cone was about 3 inches long, but the diameter was so small I wouldn't have been able to put my finger inside. I was about to complain and tell them where to shove it, when my girlfriend stopped me as she had noticed the size of the scoop. They proceeded to place two tennis ball sized scoops on top of the tiny cone. It was a race against time to eat it inside the air-conditioned building before it dripped down my arm. I thought it was some sort of wind-up for tourists until some locals came in and had the same treatment. It really has to be seen and tasted to be believed, so I hope the place is still there, which wasn't far from the coast and near a deep drainage culvert. The Devon House I Scream looks like it could be the right location on the map, so I hope only the name has changed.

Thanks for all the replies gents

Went to Kingston in 93 had an altercation with a street vendor got stabbed in the leg lol

No I havent Gavin, but really interested in u telling me all about your visit when you get back, Ive always wanted to visit those type of countries, maybe one day, enjoy

I'll be sure to take a BLUEBIRDS towel Annis

I knew we could depend on you Gavin, to fly the flag for us

Tie it to the wing of the plane, mate!

Pretty sketchy outside tourist areas/resorts - don't recommend going out past dark as others have pointed out.

Beautiful country outside of those two things though.

Take US dollars, not Jamaican. Like a few on here I agree that it is a bit iffy outside the resorts.

I went to Ocho Rios. Got chatting to a load of 'locals' who tend to be on jet skis selling weed and asked about the islands reputation for violence etc. they said that the bulk of the criminal gangs have moved out of Kingston and are now more prevelant in the Montego Bay area. Don't let that put you off going out of your complex but if you go out just be pre warned that EVERYONE will try to sell you weed whether you're with kids, elderly people or alone!!! use your head and don't go into the rundown areas after dark

Appletons Rum is worth trying, it's very nice with cola

Blue Mountain Coffee is the best I've ever tasted

Dunns Rivers Falls is worth a visit but when you've finished, avoid the tatty market traders at the top near the car park.

Jamaicans are generally very nice people but they are very poor and will sell you anything to earn a few $

Take $ US with you as it's accepted as openly as Jamican $

Take extra care in the sun, it's deceptively strong without it appearing to be hot

I stayed at the Hilton Rose in August. First time ever at an all-inclusive and it was amazing. Kids loved it with great water park/lazy river & slides.

Not sure you need to bother with the a la carte restaurants a buffet "Fresh" was incredible - especially for breakfasts. We stayed in the resort mostly - gym, kayaking, etc all there. Did take a snorkel to the local reef which was just ok. The beach at HR is really small, but quite nice. Make sure you are up at laying your towels on the longers before 7.30 in the morning, otherwise you have no chance of a decent spot. Free drinks all day - try the Bob Marley.

You must take the day trip and double up the Falls with Dolphin Cove (they are right next to each other). Brilliant dolphin experience but christ it was expensive. £500 for family of 4 for the day trip all in.

Don't bother going into Montego Bay - shit hole.

Stayed in the same hotel around 12 years ago when it use to be the Wyndham Rose Hall - I remember there was a water park inside the hotel! Great holiday that and well worth a trip down to Dunns River Falls, I remember when I done it some yank lost his £5k rolex climbing the thing and none of the workers there that day could find it

Also head over to Negril beach (not far from the hotel), very nice and stop off at Rick's cafe and jump off that famous cliff into the ocean, I can't believe I done that..

You will enjoy! Be prepared to get offered everything during your visit...!

I stayed at the Hilton Rose in August. First time ever at an all-inclusive and it was amazing. Kids loved it with great water park/lazy river & slides.

Not sure you need to bother with the a la carte restaurants a buffet "Fresh" was incredible - especially for breakfasts. We stayed in the resort mostly - gym, kayaking, etc all there. Did take a snorkel to the local reef which was just ok. The beach at HR is really small, but quite nice. Make sure you are up at laying your towels on the longers before 7.30 in the morning, otherwise you have no chance of a decent spot. Free drinks all day - try the Bob Marley.

You must take the day trip and double up the Falls with Dolphin Cove (they are right next to each other). Brilliant dolphin experience but christ it was expensive. £500 for family of 4 for the day trip all in.

Don't bother going into Montego Bay - shit hole.