If you've ever been to Jamaica... read this :)

[Chris&Julie]

Hi Everyone!

 

I'm sucha goober!! I typed this out earlier but never hit post.. I'm still learning here, people! ha!

 

Anyway, I have 2 questions for anyone who has ever been to Jamaica!!! So here it goes!!

 

1. I've kinda heard some talk that in Jamaica you will want to stay inside your resort because it can be dangerous outside of resorts and in towns. Anyone agree or disagree or have any thoughts?

 

2. Whether you've been to one resort or 100, what resort in Jamaica do you think is the nicest?

 

I can't wait to hear yall's responses!! I've read a buncha yalls posts on this site, and I feel so clueless!! Yall've all really got it together!! I can only hope that my wedding will be as fantastic as yall's have been or are going to be!!

 

Thanks for your time!!

[negative]

1. For the most part most places in Jamaica are safe... I personally avoid Kingston for the most part, theres nothing touristy to do there anyways... new Kingston OK... downtown Kingston not so good.

But like every other country you go to... dont stray too far off the beaten path

 

2. Depends on your budget for the most part... personally I dont like AI's, maybe thats just me

 

Which countries are you looking at right now for your wedding?

[jmhein]

I felt very safe in Jamaica but we were told to avoid Kingston. Around Ocho Rios and Negril and Montego Bay though I really didnt have any concerns. It's always wise to never go off alone whereever you travel, but I think Jamaica is as safe as any tropical destination! I LOVED IT!!!

 

We were married at the Riu Ocho Rios and we honeymooned at Sandals Whitehouse. Both were lovely properties but I would have to say I preferred the Riu Ocho Rios. It is a beautiful resort with better value for your dollar, and I liked the beach and ocean in Ocho Rios better than in Whitehouse.

[Agape Gems]

I felt safe in Ocho Rios. We left the resort one night and found a local restaurant for dinner then we had a bartender from the resort give us a full day tour of the city and countryside. I never felt uncomfortable. I'm way more nervous in some parts of Atlanta!! LOL! We were told by one tour guide to not go to Kingston alone though. Once you are there you can tell the people there have a very good spirit. They live much simpler lives than we do and No Worries is a way of life not just a saying.

[~*petals*~]

I've been going to Jamaica for a long time, and I've never had a problem. To echo what's already been said, you'll be fine leaving the resort grounds.. you just have to exercise the same amount of caution you would traveling anywhere else.

 

Re hotels: I have a soft spot for the suites at Half Moon.

[MayaGirl]

I agree with just being as aware as you can out in town. There are many many people who make their lives out of selling souviniers to tourists and they can be very pushy which is intimidating.

 

The first time I went, my FI and I had a woman watch our rented jeep with all our luggage for 4 hours while another man took us to some beautiful secluded waterfalls and jungle. I was scared the whole time that the guy would do something or the jeep would not be there but all was OK!! I felt really ignorant after that!

 

On your other question. THe CAVES in Negril is beautiful, and also the #1 place in Jamaica to stay on TripAdvisor. However, it is very expensive, and there is only about 10 rooms.

[Chris&Julie]

Thanks for the advice guys! If yall don't think it was dangerous, I think we will be ok! We are probably over cautious all of the time! I mean hey.. we live in Memphis, 2007 FBI's most dangerous city for Violent Crime... what a claim to fame! ha!

 

Anyway, right now we aren't necessarily looking into anything specific. Next week we are going on a cruise and we are looking at the Marriott Frenchmans Reef in St. Thomas and the Marriott in Curacao. But I really like the brochure that I have for the Couples Resorts in Jamaica.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on how couples resorts compare to others in Jamaica?

 

And any other recommendations of places to look in St. Thomas or Curacao?

 

btw...yes... I LOVE The Caves... thought the pics on the website are amazing.. unfortunately.. it's out of our price range!!

 

Yall are such a great help!!!

[drbrainfreeze]

Julie:

 

I can talk to my friend at work. He was born in Curacao and actually got married there a few years back. Its a gorgeous island, very small!

[karamell]

i agree with everyone else. i have lots of family in jamaica that do avoid kingston. in the tourist areas you'll be fine.

[christenew]

 

Anyway, right now we aren't necessarily looking into anything specific. Next week we are going on a cruise and we are looking at the Marriott Frenchmans Reef in St. Thomas and the Marriott in Curacao. But I really like the brochure that I have for the Couples Resorts in Jamaica.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on how couples resorts compare to others in Jamaica?

My dad just got back from couples ocho rios and he said in all his travels it was the best hotel he has ever gone to (mind you it is only his second in the Caribbean). He travels all over the world and he said the food was fantastic, the property was beautiful and the people there made the trip incredable. He said for what you got for the money, you couldn't ask for more. He said everytime he asked for something someone would always help him, they never expected or demanded a tip. He said the staff at Couples ROR really made their trip the best they have ever had.