Doing Jamaica Cheap!

Big up. Jamaica can be as reasonably cheap, or expensive, as you make it! If you want a real adventure, ditch the resorts for homestays and hostels! Get into the countryside, and experience the wonder of the Blue Mountains. Below you'll find my guide to getting through Jamaica on a financially efficient budget.

Ya Accommodation, Mon

If you haven't already checked out my AirBnb guide (turn into link) , you might want to go and give that a squizz. You can find it by clicking the 'Planning a Trip' compass on the home page. Airbnb is my foundation of cheap accommodation. I had a variety of accommodations, stretching from homestays (with the Rastamen) to having our own house nestled up in the Blue Mountains. We usually stayed in places that averaged $30 a night, which we found superb, as a trade off between price and comfort. Wanna see where I stayed? Click over to my Jamaica travel journal.

A direct screenshot from Airbnb's interactive map. I turned the finaincial filter down to AUD$35 a night, and 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.

transport, seen?

Rule of thumb - never 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.

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.

A master of the route taxi system will indeed be able to use them to travel across the island. Find them by walking along the route, 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, and specify where you want to get off, before you get in.

The license plate of an offical taxi, insured to carry tourists. Remember to only get in one with the red license plates.

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The Knutsford Express is a new and comfortable coach system that is operating in Jamaica. Tickets are easy to order, and are available online here. 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 than that offered by the route taxis. Knutsford Express has discounts for students and seniors.

JUTA are an enstablished professional tour company in Jamaica. As well as private taxi, they can do specialised transport services into the Blue Mountains, as well as tours virtually anywhere on the island. Juta are family friendly, and can virtually organise anything for you, whether it be cave diving or mountain climbing. Everything with JUTA comes at an expensive price for people on a budget. All relevent JUTA information can be found here.

Do ya understand what I say, mon?

In conclusion, the cheapest way to legally transport across Jamaica is via the route taxi system, and man it is cheap! I personally enjoyed to combine the use of the route taxi's with the Knutsford Express coach system. The privacy, security, wifi and air conditioing on the Knutsford is a nice break between the hustle and bustle of urban Jamaica, and it isn't too much more expensive than the route taxi.

Food and Ital

There are still some cool tricks to go about getting cheap food and drink supplies in Jamaica. This is a better time than ever to mention Jamaican Prices and Tourist Prices. If you're reading this, you're probably a prospective or interested tourist. If you're shopping in areas like the Hip Strip of Mo Bay, store owners will charge prices similar to that of Miami or New York - because tourists do pay those prices without thinking twice. 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 significatly. 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 bag guy isn't expected, but you'll be met with a big genuine smile if you do!

But listen, you must go out to try the Jamaican cuisine. For what it's worth, I've never tasted better vegetarian food anywhere else in the world. I think Ocho Rios (Ochi) is the hub for Jamaican fine dining. 'Mrs. T's Kitchen' is an essential stop over in Ochi, to try some Jamaican fine dining. I ate a coconut chickpea curry that was wrapped up in fried banana - delicious.

Another essential, that I'd have to place the most emphasis on, is the 'Ital' food. Ital is the cooking style conceived by the Rastafari community. Ital is completely vegan, and salt free. You wont be able to find it in restaurants though - you'll have to venture out into Rasta territory. When my brother and I stayed with Laaji's family, we were made Ital dinners, and it was as epic as the best curry you've tasted. The spices and flavours put into the dishes are all so fresh and genuine. Lemon is used as a substitute for salt. Our hard days of swimming and hiking were rewarded by fresh handmade juice and Ital for dinner. It surprised my brother and I how full and nourished we felt after eating an organic healthy Ital meal.

Keep track of your financials, brethren

If you travel Jamaica with the above guidlines on the back of your mind, you'll naturally find it easier to travel on a strict budget. Yes, it is daunting to use Jamaican public services like a route taxi, but you just need to be respectful, stern, and fun. Talk to the other people while you're in the route taxi. Laugh at 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.

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. 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

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 - especially in Montego Bay. Firstly, they are uninsured to carry you. Secondly, they may not be who seem. Thirdly, they will try to make you pay for anything, 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. Pay guides at the conclusion of the trip, so that you can subtract any funds from incidentals they try and make you pay for - remember, we don't all have as much money as they think we do, so don't let them force you into buying things that should already be included in the price of the tour.