Finding Reason
A travel blog
Jamaica
Imagine a place where all of your loose ideas of a paradise come together vividly. A place that can give you warm beaches, misty mountains, and waters so clean and filtered by natural processes that you can see with exceptional clarity underwater. A place where the freshwater rivers house deep pools, and the odd vine hangs down weightlessly, almost to appear as though it is being supported by the water. A place so blatantly rich in the essentials of life that people in the country can be completely self sufficient. A place where it is warm enough to sleep outside on the soft grass, where you sit on the edge of a river to take a break from hiking, and butterflies come out of the bushland to fly circles around you. Jamaica is a natural playground, and a truly beautifully place, both in scenery and in culture.
Accommodation
AirBnb
If you haven't already checked out my guide, How to use Airbnb, you might want to go and give that a squizz. Airbnb is an excellent source of cheap, safe and reliable accommodation. I had a variety of lodgings, stretching from homestays (with the Rastas) to having our own house nestled up in the Blue Mountains. We often stayed in places that averaged $30 a night, which we found superb as a trade off between price and comfort.
Above you can view a direct screenshot from Airbnb's interactive map of Jamaica. I turned the finaincial filter down to AUD$35 a night. You can see the variety of locations in the major tourist areas that offer cheap accommodation. Some listings I used in Jamaica were a little more expensive than displayed here, ranging from $25 - $75 AUD. You can also stay in hostels for a lot cheaper, but they aren't in as convienent locations as some of the listings on AirBnb. I found that with AirBnb, you can stay closer to attractions and taxi stops.
Hostels
Remember to check out HostelWorld Jamaica. You will commonly find hostels in the main cities of Jamaica, including Kingston, Port Antonio, and Ocho Rios. There are some wonderful hostels in Jamaica. My favourite was probably the Reggae Hostel, which operates in both Ocho Rios & Kingston. Good times. Hostels can range in price depending on the room you're looking for. A bed in a dorm can cost between $1,600 and $5,000 JMD (roughly $13 - $40 USD).
Homestay
Due to the cultural richness of Jamaica, I would strongly recommend doing a homestay with some Rastas. I stayed in rural Portland, and in the Blue Mountains with Rastas, and it was an incredible opportunity. I don't even want to describe the experience because I will not do it justice. Do it! Airbnb and HelpX are great places to start, but remember to make sure the places you're going are legitimate.
Hotels
Hotels are easy enough to find, and start as cheap as $3,500 JMD (roughly $30 USD) per night, and move upward to however expensive you can afford. If you're staying in resorts, make sure you get out and see the surrounding areas!
Transport
Rule of thumb - don't get in a taxi unless it has a red lisence plate starting with PD, followed by four numbers.
There are several options for getting across the mainland. You can get virtually anywhere in Jamaica by using a combination of taxis and busses. I wouldn't recommend hiring a private driver. They try to charge an arm and a leg, compared to route taxis or even the knutsford express. Other travel blogs can be ambigious, regarding transport, so I hope to make this as clear as possible for ya.
Taxi & Minibus
Route Taxi's & Minibuses are a cheap, schedulised and systematic version of regular taxi services. The drivers have a set route and schedule, and pick up and drop off people as they go from point to point. The rates are per person, one way. You can find the current government-set rates (in JMD) here. Know the taxi rates and routes before you go. If you look like a tourist, some route taxi drivers might try and charge you extra. In the city, feel free to reject a taxi that refuses your barter for a fair price. Another will come along. Remeber that all prices are in JMD, so yes, that means you can get from point to point very cheaply.
A master of the route taxi system will indeed be able to use them to travel across the island. Find the taxi by walking along the road in the right direction, or by waiting for them at the most central gas stations in each city or town. You will see the route clearly printed on either side of the vehicle. Pay on your way out, but make sure you agree on a price in JMD with the driver before you get in. Unless you need to get somewhere specific, I'd avoid the charter taxi, which is the private taxi system in Jamaica. They tend to be expensive. Never use one to get from city to city.
Two examples of the red taxi license plate
Knutsford Express
The Knutsford Express is a new and comfortable coach system that operates across Jamaica. Tickets are easy to order, and are available online. My brother and I used the Knutsford express for most long haul journeys. It is a comfortable service, complimented by free wifi and air conditioning. The system is very fairly priced as well, with tickets ranging from $10 to $25 USD each. It is very easy to use, and you can group book online. I would recommend the Knutsford Express to people who want a bit more comfort and security than the route taxis offer. Knutsford Express also have discounts for students and seniors.
Car Rental
If you can afford it, renting a car is always a great option, especially if you enjoy the privacy. As always, renting a car gives you unlimited transport flexibility. Worldwide car rental agencies operate in Jamaica, and you can find them at any major airport. It's always a good idea to check out local rental businesses too, but make sure you're comfortable with their legitimacy. Make sure you take out insurance to exclude you from damage/loss liability! This is especially if you're heading into the Blue Mountains.
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Road Conditions
I didn't find road conditions to be anywhere near as bad as the internet makes them out to be. I would feel completely comfortable driving myself across the island, and through the Blue Mountains. I went up into the Blue Mountains in a small hatchback. If you're not used to driving on the left, it really shouldn't take you long to get accustomed.
Food
Groceries
You'll come across general stores all over jamaica. There are some cool tricks to go about getting cheap food and drink supplies while you're there. This is a better time than ever to mention Jamaican prices and tourist prices. If you're shopping in areas like the Hip Strip of Mo Bay, basic groceries will be expensive because tourists are used to paying those prices. For Jamaican prices, ask a taxi driver to take you to a local grocery store, or a market. The driver will probably take you away from the main city area, and you'll find the prices drop. Make sure to mention that you want to avoid the expensive stores. I never bought meat from these stores, but I wouldn't tell somebody not to. Tipping the bagger isn't expected, but you'll be met with a genuine smile if you do!
Eating Out
There are a variety of restaurant options in Jamaica. The prices vary widely. You'll have to try Jerk food and Acai and Saltfish, which are both a national delacacy in Jamaica.
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Ital
Ital is the traditional cooking method of the Rastafari community. Ital happens to be completely vegan, and substitutes the flavour of salt with lemon and lime jucies. Coconut milk and beans are a very popular base in Ital, but you'll find an array of spice flavours too. While I was staying with Rastas, I was lucky enough to try Ital a few times, and it has got to be some of the best food I've ever tasted. When travelling to Jamaica, I'd highly recommend you try and find some traditional Rasta Ital.
get inland and see the jamaican countryside
Finance
If you haven't already, check out my blog about travelling cheap in Jamaica. It can be a little daunting to use Jamaican public services like a route taxi, but it will get you to the destination cheap. Be respectful and talk to the other passengers. Route taxis are always a laugh. Refuse drivers and vendors who try and charge you tourist prices. Generally, if something is as expensive, or more expensive than you're used to paying back home, you are being treated as a rich traveller, and you should stand your ground against that. It's important to familiarise yourself with the exchange rate. Get the current rate from JMD to USD here.
Money Cards
Virtually all credit cards and debit cards can be used in Jamaica. I have a QANTAS Cash card (international debit card), but because I was in the United States for 7 months, prior to going to Jamaica, I already had a Bank of America debit card. Bank of America is one of several banks that have a gobal partnership (which means no ATM fees) with Scotiabank Caribbean. I used my international card to pay at a point of sale, and my Bank of America card to withdraw both JMD and USD from a Scotiabank ATM. People from Australia can use Westpac cards at Scotiabank to dodge the ATM withdrawal fee. To see a list of all the global partnerships with Scotiabank, click here.
Cash
If you're not travelling via the US, you might want to try and attain some USD to have in Jamaica. USD is almost as dominant a currency in Jamaica as JMD. Cash movement in Jamaica is pretty straightforward. You should always keep a combination of USD and JMD on your person. Most places accept USD, but as you get out into the country, it becomes common to deal only with JMD. My brother and I never had any threats to our security while we were in Jamaica, but it is always useful to exercise caution when determining how much cash you want to travel with. I would usually have around $50 USD and $5,000 JMD on me at any given time. A useful tip is to store cash in different places. By habit, I'd keep some in my wallet, some in my RFID puch, and some in my shoes.
Bargaining
Bargaining is expected in Jamaica. When somebody offers a service, feel free to negotiate on the price they present. This is your chance to stand your ground against the unfair proposal that you are a rich tourist. If you don't think a Jamaican would pay $15USD to enter a park or landmark, haggle, and get the price down. Always be cautious of how much you're being charged. If I promised myself I wasn't going to spend more than $20USD for a good or service, I would just tell people I didn't have more than $20, and they would either take it or leave it. It is quite hard to become aware of the Jamaican value of goods or services. Bargaining is a great start to learning what is fairly priced by Jamaican standards, and what is not.
Hustlers and Street Salesmen
Generally, I suggest that you do not use tour guides who approach you from the street. Firstly, they are uninsured to carry you. Secondly, they may not be who they seem. Thirdly, they will try to make you pay for everything, from petrol to cigarettes. If you trust a person enough to let them take you somewhere, agree on a price, and clarify that you won't be paying a cent more than what you agree upon. You should pay the guides at the conclusion of the trip. This allows you to subtract any funds from incidentals they try and make you pay for - remember, we don't all have as much money as these people think we do, so don't let them force you into buying things that should already be included in the price of the tour.
Things to Do
As with any destination, there is a lot to do in Jamaica. Too much for me to cover. My brother and I were silly enough to think that we could see most of the island in three and a half weeks, but we were terribly naive. After some amazing experiences in Jamaica, I think my best advice would be to have a retreat from the beach. Get inland and see the marvelous Jamaican countryside, and the Blue Mountains. When determining what kind of mischief you want to get up to, make sure you research. Consider the list below as a place to start. As always, if I've missed something, throw it in the comments section and I'll add it.
St James Parish
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Montego Bay
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Falmouth & the Luminous Lagoon
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Paynes Bay Beach
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Folkestone Marine Park
Westmoreland Parish
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Negril
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​Seven Mile Beach
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Xtabi Caves
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Mayfield Falls
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Ricks Cafe
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Floyd's Beach Bar
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Negril Cliffs
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Halfmoon Beach
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Windsurf to ​Booby Cay
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Blue Hole Mineral Spring
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Peter Tosh Monument
St Ann Parish
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Visit Bob Marley's birthplace
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Explore Ocho Rios
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​Mrs. T's famous Jamaican restaurant
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Main beach & Snorkelling
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Scotchies Jerk Restaurant
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Blue Hole
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Dunn's River Falls
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'James Bond Beach'
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the Enchanted Gardens
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Reggae Beach
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Drive to Fern Gully
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Konoko Falls
Portland Parish
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Port Antonio
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Swift River
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Blue Mountains National Park (Hiking & Camping)
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Blue Lagoon
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Rio Grande
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Boston Beach
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Winnifred Beach
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Reach & Reach Falls
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Sumerset Falls
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San San Beach
St Elizabeth Parish
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Black River
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Lovers Leap Lookout
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YS Falls
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Appleton Estate Rum Tour
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the Pelican Bar
St Andrew Parish
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Explore Kingston
