It is just a small island, however, Jamaica is well-known by the entire world. People dream and yearn to go to Jamaica. It is just one of those places that is on the bucket list of most tourists. The allure of the white sandy beaches, the dancing palm trees against the sea breeze, the relaxed attitude of the locals, and its warm and sunny climate are just some of the things that attract tourists from all over to Jamaica. Tourists particularly flock to Jamaica during winter, so they can relax on the beach with an average temperature of 81° F.
Overall, the small island nation is safe and is tourist-friendly. But that doesn’t mean that you can just hop on a plane and go on a perfect vacation in Jamaica with just some knowledge of Bob Marley and expect everything to go smoothly.
To make sure that you make the most out of your trip, here are some suggestions to take note of and things not to do while visiting Jamaica.
Never Haphazardly Pick A Destination
Never pick a spot to visit or a hotel to stay in the island without doing a bit of research. Since your itinerary would largely be based on your chosen location. Your location will dictate what things can be done. Do you prefer to enjoy the nightlife? If that is the case, then Negril has a lot of hot spots for you to enjoy. Would you prefer to spend family time at the beach? In that case, Montego Bay is the place for you. This location has a lot of family-friendly resorts available. Or maybe you would prefer to explore Jamaica’s inland? If that is what you want, then go to Ocho Rios instead.
Never Leave Jamaica Without Eating At One Of The Roadside Jerk Shacks
Never Exchange Your Dollars On The Street Of Jamaica
While greenbacks, U.S. Dollars, are welcome on the island, it would be best to use the local currency, which is the Jamaican dollar. Although the U.S. Dollar is accepted by a lot of establishments, there are still some small establishments that will only accept the Jamaican dollar. For example, you will be traveling to a less touristy area, or spending cash at supermarkets or at street vendors, it is still best to have some local currency. Therefore, one of the first things that you would be doing during your travel, would be to convert your U.S. Dollars into Jamaican Dollars.
The most recommended practice would be to exchange your money even before your flight. If by the off chance that you forget to do this, you can always exchange your money at a bank or even at your hotel. The exchange rates offered by the bank or your hotel may not be the best, but it is safer. In Jamaica, there are men on the street that would offer to exchange your U.S. dollars for Jamaican dollars, their rates are better than what the hotel or bank can offer. But keep in mind, if you do choose to handover your U.S. dollars to that man on the street, it is likely that you won’t get your money back. There are a lot of scammers on the streets. And your money can effortlessly be swindled from you.
Don’t Try To Get Around Without A Driver
Unless you are staying at a resort where airport transportation is included, getting around Jamaica can be expensive. Taxis can cost a substantial amount, especially for travelers needing to take the 1 ½ hour drive from the international airport in Montego Bay to Ocho Rios; or a 2-hour taxi ride for people going to Negril. But if you just plan to spend most of your time at the resort, stick to a taxi. If you do plan on going around the island, renting a car would be a good idea, but driving it on your own might not be so great.
Jamaica used to be a British colony, which means that they drive on the left-hand side of the road. Compound that with the twisting, narrow, pothole-filled roads and the occasional aggressive driver. It can all be stressful, challenging and a bit disorienting if you choose to rent a car and opt to drive on your own. You are on vacation, so why not avoid the stress and just opt to hire a driver to help you get around the island safely.
Don’t eat non-local seafood
With its beautiful coasts, Jamaica is also rich in fresh and delicious seafood! While it could be tempting to try every seafood dish on the menu, it would be wise to be mindful of which kinds of seafood are available locally and which ones have to be sourced elsewhere. It is best to avoid non-local seafood, because these tend to be less fresh and priced higher–you’ll end up paying more for lower quality seafood! Some of these non-local seafood to look out for include tiger prawns, salmon, and the like. Lobster, while sourced locally, is another type of seafood to steer clear of during the months of July through March, as catching them is illegal during the off-season.
Do not expect punctuality
One of things that makes Jamaica an excellent vacation destination is the locals’ laid-back vibe. However, this also makes them notorious for being late! Island time is a real thing in Jamaica and it is difficult to expect punctuality here, even from professionals like the staff in a restaurant or a tour group. The best thing to do would be to anticipate this, schedule activities in advance, and ultimately, just learn to be a little more lax about it. You’re better off learning to get used to the slower pace during your stay!