travel tips | jamaica (eng.)

JAMAICA

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

One of the biggest island in the Caribbean Sea is also one of the most vibrants. It is normal to walk through the streets and listen to some reggae music, Jamaica’s trademark. Many beaches, fantastic sights, crystalline water and very receptive people, that is what you will find in Jamaica. Here you will relax, forget a little bit about the life, contemplate the nature and have a lot of fun with the frequent parties.

In the museum you will learn the history of the country and of the legendary Bob Marley. You will also find many trails, peaceful beaches, street markets and typical food. Jamaica lives almost exclusively for the tourism, that means you will be really welcome in the island and

will have many different attractions to visit and things to do. Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios are only some of the many beautiful cities.

The weather in Jamaica is tropical with low temperature variations through the year. The temperatures are always between 25°C and 38°C. The ocean winds relieve the humidity and the warm weather. In the mountains it is always colder. The rainy season is from May to December and there is a risk of cyclone because of the strong winds. To run away from the rain you can plan your trip between January and May, when the climate is drier.

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In the winter it is warm during the daytime and it gets colder at night. But in the Summer it is always warm. Do not forget that the rain can happen during the hole year.

The weather is very stable in Jamaica so you do not really have to worry about it. You will enjoy the nature and the beautiful sights at any time of the year. From December until April the island is full of tourists so it is necessary to book everything in advance. If you want to visit Jamaica in a quiet period you should go from May until June. From June to November there is the cyclone season, but that does not mean that you cannot visit the country. The cyclones usually do not reach the land, but when they do, they are brief and harmless.

Visiting Jamaica is really worthwhile: the rich culture and the wonderful sights will make your trip unforgettable.

TRANSPORT

The public transport in Jamaica is really precarious. The bus tickets are cheap, but there is no right schedule and they are usually crowded. The ride can be tiring and irritating.

A good option is to rent a car. There are many different car renting companies but you will be allowed to drive in Jamaica only if you are 25 years old and if you have a valid driver’s license from your country. In Jamaica the traffic is left-handed so you should pay attention when driving.

If you have a bigger budget, there is another option: domestic flights using helicopters. You will reach your destiny faster and will have an incredible view. There are many different lines in the international airports from Kingston and Montego Bay. You can also find this service in smaller airports like the ones in Portland, Ocho Rios and Negril.

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The good and old taxis can be ordered by phone or you can find many of them on the streets. Most taxis have the taximeter but some have a pre-established price pro ride. Taxis with a red plate and the PPV (Public Passenger Service) abbreviation will charge a 10 to 12% tip. After midnight it will be charge 25% tip.

Another interesting and useful kind of transport is the JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association). You just need to call (1876) 952 0813 and ask for their services. They have buses, minibuses, vans and luxury cars available. They offer a really personalized service with comfort and professionalism. Since the drivers are able to tell everything about Jamaica and its history, geography and culture, there is the possibility of making city tours.

ATTRACTIONS

BLUE MOUNTAINS

There are many tracks for you to walk through and climb. The peaks of the 2100m high mountains have a bluish tinge and are surrounded by a fog. In the Blue Mountains there are more than 200 species of birds and 800 of plants.

BOB MARLEY MUSEUMLocated in Kingston, the Jamaican capital. The wood house that used to be Bob Marley’s studio is a mandatory destiny in Jamaica and is a kind of sanctuary for the visitors.

CARNIVALThe Carnival starts in February and ends in the Easter week (in April). It is a cultural explosion with musicians and dancers in the street. It is a huge party that happens in the whole island. You will have a lot of fun with the jamaican people and their happiness.

COLUMBUS PARKIn this open air and 24 hours a day open museum you will find relics from the jamaican history. This is a memorial park that marksCristopher Columbus arrival in America in 1494.

DOLPHINSIn Ocho Rios there is the biggest bottlenose dolphin lake where it is possible to swim and Interact with those lovely animals. It is an unforgettable experience!

RIO GRANDEEnjoy the unique experience of bamboo river rafting through banana and sugar cane plantations in the Rio Grande river. You can start at the Blue Mountains in Berrydale and end in Margaret’s Bay.

KINGSTONJamaica’s capital and the city where Bob Marley lived. Here you will be immersed in the jamaican culture and will get in touch with the real jamaican lifestyle. When in Jamaica, Kingston is a mandatory destiny.

LIMESTONE CAVESYou will have an incredible experience with such natural phenomena: stalactites, stalagmites, cliffs, tunnels and an underground lake. The Green Grotto was used as a shelter by the Arawak Indians.

MONTEGO BAYThe most bustling city in Jamaica offers you many parties and lots of fun. You can also relax at the Doctor’s Cave beach or walk through the Gloucester. The nightlife is very inviting and most of the tourists does not even want to go away after staying one night at Montego Bay.

Jamaica has much more to offer and you will always find something new and undiscovered. Some other attractions are: the Port Royal Museum, the Botanical Gardens in Shaw Park, the Spanish Town, the Treasure Bay and also the Montego Bay Marine Park.


WHERE TO STAY

There are many possibilities, each one with its particularity:

FLATSA great option for the ones who like comfort and privacy during a long stay in Jamaica. The flats are furnished and ready to be rented. The “Fleur Flats” stays close to the beach and includes a cleaning service. The “El Greco” is

located in the mountains and has a wonderful panoramic sight from Montego Bay, and also has a pool, a tennis court, a restaurant and an optional babysitting service.

CAMPINGIf you enjoy being in the nature and also wants to save some money this is the best option. The best part of camping in Jamaica is that you have many different options of campingsites: botanical gardens, mountains and parks. But when camping in Jamaica, be aware if you are going to camp in a safe place, like the ones in Negril.


BED-AND-BREAKFASTHere you will have a huge contact with the jamaican culture and will get in touch with native people, play domino, listen to stories at the balcony and to reggae music. As the name says, the Bed-and-Breakfast are only for a night stay, but it is worthwhile, since you will have an interesting and cultural exchange. The “Chateau Margarita” stays close to the Montego Bay International Airport and the “Zion Country” is surrounded by a forest, perfect for the nature lovers.

GUEST HOUSEThe jamaican folk is very receptive and happy. Many house owners will be willing to receive tourists for a very accessible price. Just as in the Bed-and-Breakfasts, here you will have a friendly and informal experience. The rooms are really simple, without luxury, but everything is in a good quality. The “Palm View Guest House” offers 15 rooms and is located near to the Sangster International Airport and to many restaurants, malls and

beaches. The “Pastel Villa” has a pool and rooms with air conditioning.

HOTELSThere are many luxury hotels in Jamaica with tennis court, jacuzzis, gyms and much more. But anyone who has already been in Jamaica would recommend a stay in a place where you can get in touch with the nature, stay close to the sea and enjoy the wonderful sights. At theFirefly beach, in Negril, you stay literally in front of the beach. There is a hotel in the sand and surrounded by trees that offers rooms for singles, couples or even for groups. Everything is well equipped and decorated with good taste. This hotel also promotes many parties, it is interesting to make a visit.

A great innovation are the Eco Lodges, which are accommodations committed to conservation with the added value of cultural sensitivity, isolation and style. In Jamaica you find the “Mocking Bird Hill” and many other resorts. This type of environmental attitude


has everything to do with the island: it preserves the biggest jamaican treasure and also serves the tourists.

DINING OUT

The tropical weather and the nature ask for a healthy and light meal. Fruits like mango, lemon, coconut, avocado, guanabana, ackee and banana are grow in Jamaica. Fried bananas are the favourite dessert in the island, and the duckoono is another dessert made with green bananas mixed with coconut flakes and

sweet potatoes. The jamaican cuisine is exotic and spicy. The most popular style of cooking is the Jerk, in which meat is dry-rubber or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture. The traditional recipe is made with pork or chicken, but nowadays other types of meat can be used.

All of this you will find in the many restaurants around the town. In Kingston the “Norma’s” has all the best jamaican specialties and the “Strawberry Hill” offers an interesting environment. In Montego Bay you will discover the “Margaritaville”, the “Pork Pit” and the “Glistening Waters” and their both national and international recipes. These are just some of

the best restaurants in Jamaica. There are other like the “Spring Garden Café & Seafood Grill” in Ocho Rios, the “Blue Mahoe Restaurant” in Negril and the “Pelican Bar” in Treasure Beach.

Take care when asking for a “tea”. In Jamaica “tea” refers to any hot or fermented drink. That means you can have a rum, herbs or even hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The Sky Juice is something you should drink when in Jamaica. It is made of syrup flavored shaved ice and coconut water. The Blue Mountais Coffee is also something worthwhile drinking. It is one of the world’s tastiest coffees.

SHOPPING

When shopping in Jamaica, you will be most of the time outside and not indoor. The jamaican people are used to spend most of their time in the open air, enjoying the nature and listening to reggae music. The island is famous for its fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, wood sculptures, oil paintings and sandals. You will find typical handmade products everywhere. At the In-Craft Centre it is possible to order carpets, porcelains and reproductions of the ruins of the ancient sunken city of Port Royal in pewter. There is also a popular garage specialized in furniture, carpets and other accessories that is located in Highgate Village.

Another jamaican specialty is the rum, for example the Ian Sagsters Rum Cream, which

you can find in many markets. The most famous market in Jamaica is the “Coronation” in Kingston. But there are also many others that are worthwhile visiting like the “Linstead” in St. Catherine, the “Browntown” in St. Anne, the “Savanna-La-Mar” in Westmoreland and the “Albert George” in Falmouth. In those markets you will find not only the jamaican rum but also spices, jams, sauces and other national drinks, like the Blue Mountain Coffee.


CURRENCYThe local currency is the Jamaican Dollar but the US Dollar is widely accepted. To not to get confused, set before you travel which currency you will be using, otherwise you can get really confused and spend more than expected. There are many authorized banks and agencies that can exchange your money and you can also pay with credit cards like Diners Club, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

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