Top Tips for Jamaica
So you are heading to Jamacia. These are some tips and tricks I recommend after visiting this incredibly beautiful island.
top Tip for arriving to Jamaica
If visiting don’t forget to fill out your Electronic C5 Customs and Immigration form which is required for most international visitors- fill out the form HERE. After you get through customs there is a hall with various resorts and transportation options. We had contacted our hotel and they told us which counter to go to on arrival to get transport directly to our hotel.
Tip 1: Get off of your resort
It is very common to stay at an all inclusive resort when visiting Jamaica and the tourist infrastructure is for that but I urge you to get off of the resort because there is so much incredible stuff to see beyond what your resort has to offer. You have several options for exploration. You can join a tour, you can hire a driver for the day, you can rent a car yourself. When we explored we did it via day tours, catamaran tours and with private drivers. Going snorkeling and to Rick’s Cafe in Negril and taking a day tour from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios were incredible. These tours were the highlights!
Tip 2: Enjoy the Jamaican food
There is nothing quite like the amazing flavors of Jamaican cuisine. The jerk spices are very lively and you can indulge with the classic jerk chicken or pork or try some more unusual foods such as oxtail and curried goat. If you are staying at an all inclusive resort you will likely to try some local foods as well as have several international foods to eat. Street foods such as patties and bammy are also great. You have to try the local beer and rum as well! If you stay in a place that is not all inclusive that frees you up to try various restaurants. Also if you go on day tours they may provide food or bring you to some local spots!
Tip 3: Bring Cash
Most places do accept credit cards but not all, so it is a good idea to have some cash on hand in case you need it. Taxis for example take cash only. Also there is a big tip culture here so if you are going on a tour and want to tip the guide or your servers cash is needed. Since the Jamaica uses USD it is easy to just grab some extra and go home with it if you don’t need it. Make sure to have newer bills. I had one older bill that was not accepted.
Tip 4: Don’t obsess about the weather
The weather report is very variable. It might rain. Likely it will be for a short bit and then you will be back in the sun. It can be windy but not to a point of inability to enjoy the beach, swimming, or other activities. While we were there, it poured one afternoon for a couple of hours. We swam during it and were rewarded with epic sunset. We also got poured on during our catamaran cruise. It lasted 15 minutes and we were wet already! The rain is quickly replaced with sun!
Tip 5: Take a boat tour
Getting out on the water is a great way to explore and enjoy the areas. On a boat or catamaran you can get out to some amazing snorkel spots. It’s also a great way to see sunset. In Negril, there are several motor boats/glass bottom boats you can take out for snorkeling or to Booby Island. In both Montego Bay and Negril there are several options for catamaran cruises. Parasailing is also a great way to take in the water in Negril!
Tip 6: Go Snorkeling
You can go snorkeling straight from the shore at Doctors Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Wear reef safe sunscreen and bring your waterproof camera. These snorkel spots are completely free. If you prefer to do an organized tour, there are full and half day tours to various locations that often include stopping at other cays that are only accessible via boat. We brought our own snorkels for Doctors Cave Beach and our tours but the tours usually provide gear if you don’t want to bring your own.
Tip 7: Visit some waterfalls
You will not be disappointed if you decide to make the trek over to Ocho Rios from Montego Bay. Ocho Rios is packed with adventure. There is ziplining, dolphin experiences, and an abundance of waterfall areas including Blue Hole, Secret Falls and the famous Dunn’s River Falls. Also near Negril you can do a day trip over to YS Falls which is a popular tourist and local destination. If you are going to Dunn’s River Falls or Secret falls water shoes are an absolute must! If you have them pack them (or you will be buying some while there)! Read more about my day tour to Dunn’s River Falls and Secret Falls HERE!
Tip 8: Prepare for the jamaican sun
You will 100% need sunscreen. Reapply, reapply, reapply. You will be wet, and you will sweat. If you are
snorkeling, get reef safe sunscreen. You will also need to drink a ton of water being out in the sun. Most resorts have beach umbrellas for some shade or take a break to cool down indoors during the peak heat of the day.
Top Tips for Packing for Jamaica
Absolute musts beyond the essentials include swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, snorkels, water shoes, waterproof camera or waterproof phone case, hat and sandals. You must also bring cash USD- new bills for tips so I recommend small bills.
Top Tips for Jamacia
You are going to absolutely love Jamaica! Whether it is for a quick trip or for over a week there is so much to do and enjoy. Check out my full one week itinerary or my top three destinations! Hope this inspires you to visit!
I hope you enjoy your trip to Jamaica. I hope this helps you prepare for your trip.
