As a long time traveller to the beautiful island of Jamaica, I thought it would be nice to post about my last experience, the cuisine, culture, Dos and Don'ts and attractions.
Toronto to Jamaica
The great thing about travelling from Toronto YYZ to Montego Bay, Jamaica Airport is it is a relatively short 3.5-4 hour flight. When you arrive it feels like you're visiting the cottage because there are so many Jamaicans in Toronto that have brought their rich and beautiful culture here - it almost feels like a home away from home. As soon as you get off the plane you feel that sweet tropical heat on your face and "everyting" is IRIE.
If you're travelling all-inclusive, you'll be greeted by your travel company tour guide who will show you to the shuttle. The shuttle driver will likely have cold Red Stripes (beer) for approximately $5 USD each - cheaper than buying from the airport bar, so skip the bar and head to the air conditioned shuttle.
In February 2022 I got to try a Lemon Red Stripe on the bus on the way to the hotel from airport. It is sweet, refreshing and delicious.
Of course the driver was playing the best Beres Hammond mix the entire way to Negril and I was singing along. I might have been the only person on the bus to know all of the lyrics to every song, but mi nah care. Yes, Negril...my favourite part of Jamaica to stay.
Negril
If you are planning your first visit to Jamaica, I recommend you stay in Negril. Negril is famously known for its Seven Mile, walkable white sand beach with crystal clear, aqua blue water and reggae tunes playing from the bars along the beach. It is also known for its breath-taking sunsets and cliff diving at Ricks Cafe (which has been there since the 1970s, but has developed into a very large bar and tourist attraction), the Lighthouse and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
Negril is a 1.5-2 hour bus ride from the Montego Bay Airport. The driver usually stops halfway for a restroom break at a bar on the water along the way. My first time in Negril was when I was 18 years old. I was very fortunate that my Single Mother took my sister and I on a trip to Negril. We stopped at the halfway bar and it was at night time. The bartender took me to the waterfront deck of the bar and said, "Welcome to Paradise." It is paradise indeed.
Sunset views from deck at the "halfway" bar
Hotel
For all-inclusive - I'm a big fan of the Royalton Luxury all-inclusive resorts. I've stayed at three different Royaltons and they were all consistently exceptional. The restaurants, food and drinks are outstanding, with top shelf liquors. The spas are amazing and if you upgrade to the Diamond Club you get access to complimentary water therapies. Your butlers make all of your dinner reservations for you, so no waiting in lines/showing up first thing in the morning to make a dinner reservation.
Diamond Club Room Key
Panoramic view of Hideaway side of Royalton Negril
Hunter Steakhouse at all Royalton Resorts - so good!
My last stay in Jamaica was at the Royalton Hideaway Negril. Hideaway is the adults-only section. While it was a beautiful hotel with excellent food, premium drinks and service, it was not directly on the Seven Mile Beach, so you need to take a short cab/boat ride to get right on the Seven Mile. We arranged a little fishing boat trip with freshly caught lobster cooked for us right on the beach.
Favourite Restaurants at Royalton Negril
My favourite restaurants were:
1. Ocean Point, French Cuisine (open air by the water). Everything was delicious! We dined there twice during the one week stay.
2. Calypso, West Indian Cuisine (the selection of three patties appetizer and Red Snapper for entree was amazing)!
3. Hunter Steakhouse (they actually had really good fried fish if you don't like red meat).
It became part of our daily routine to go for a drink in the late afternoon at the Diamond Club Bar at the other end of the resort from the Hideaway side. It was in the Diamond Club family side, but was the best bar and they had a little circular pool to cool off in right in front. They also had really good calamari for a light snack!
Dos and Don'ts
Do: Try the local soup anywhere you can find it. Chicken Foot Soup, Hog's Head Soup, Red Peas Soup. Jamaicans make the best soups. You would think having soup in a hot place is counter-intuitive, but I'm telling you, TRY THE SOUP!
Chicken Foot Soup with Dumplings from soup place on Norman Manley Blvd. just off the Seven Mile Beach
Don't: Wear short pants/skirt on the beach at night. There are sand fleas/flies that will "nam" you up. They like fresh tourist blood. Pack some bug spray and spray a bit on your ankles at night.
Do: Bring USD currency and always tip. Jamaicans are extremely hard working and provide a very high level of service. It is standard etiquette to tip at all-inclusive hotels for the services you receive.
Don't: Bother with Dunns River Falls - it is definitely beautiful, but also a bit of a tourist trap. If you're not a fan of holding hands with a group of strangers while climbing a waterfall, it is probably not for you.
Do: Check out the Blue Hole instead of Dunns River. Much nicer, more low key, less touristy excursion. You also get to swim in a fresh (cold) water blue hole and see a waterfall. There is even cliff jumping if you're brave enough! Make sure your legs are perfectly straight, or your behind will be complaining the next day.
Favourite Things to Do in and around Negril
1. Catamaran snorkelling trip to Rick's Cafe for sunset
2. Seven Mile Beach and Margaritaville
3. The Blue Hole
4. Nine Mile - Bob Marley's Place
5. Trying the local soups, jerk chicken, fish and bammy, whole Red Snapper and patties outside/off of the resort
6. Fresh Lobster caught and cooked right in front of you on Booby Cay Island/the Seven Mile Beach
Royalton Main Beach Area
Little Cove Beach at Royalton Hideaway Side
Old Silk Cotton Tree at Royalton Negril
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience of Jamaica - one of my favourite places in the world. If you have an opportunity to visit this beautiful island I hope you find some of these tips helpful.
One Love,
~Lawyerchick
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