Where to stay in Jamaica
There is something about Jamaica (besides my Jamaican boyfriend) that keeps me going back there again and again. I was searching for a particular picture the other day and realized when I saw this map that I have covered a lot of ground on this magical island. I don’t pretend to be an historian or authority on Jamaica culture, just someone who’s been there many times and loves it.
There are three ways to experience Jamaica…
Either from the window portal or deck rail of a cruise ship; from the airport bus ride to an all-inclusive resort; or by venturing “off campus” to discover the real country of Jamaica. I’ve been fortunate to have done the later. Lucky for me, my boyfriend was born in Jamaica and has shown me around a good part of his beloved homeland.
You may hear others tell you that it is dangerous to venture outside of your hotel, but I beg to differ. Yes, there is crime in Jamaica just like everywhere, so just be smart. Lonely Planet puts out a yearly guidebook that tells you everything you need to know about safely navigating the island, whether it’s by car, bus, or a private tour company.
The Blue Mountains
The best way to see Jamaica is with a Jamaican! There are endless individuals offering car service or van tours, eager to show tourists around the island. Everyone has a hustle in Jamaica and it’s nice to know that you can support the economy by hiring a Jamaican citizen to show you around.
There is a main highway circling the perimeter of the island, urging you to look left at the ocean or right to the mountains. A most comforting and spectacular sight; the mountains in the distance just begging to be visited. There are days when you can see the clouds circling the Blue Mountains, urging you up into the hills. If you’re brave and decide to rent a car, just remember, Jamaicans drive on the opposite side of the road than here in America and the roads are narrow and drivers aggressive.
My first time in Jamaica we booked an Airbnb at the top of the Blue Mountains for $50 a night advertised as a coffee farm. We drove into the hills for almost and hour and then met up with the owner of the Airbnb. He picked us up in a heavy duty truck with huge tires. We drove another very bumpy, hour and a half straight up a mountain.
Our host was a young man who took us into his modest home and rented us a room with a small bed and an outside toilet and shower. His wife cooked us typical Jamaican dishes and we ate with the family outside, marveling at the beauty surrounding us and the birds chirping and the unmistakeable smell of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, grown and roasted in small batches on the premises. I was in heaven!
The secret to finding of good Airbnb is to read carefully! Read the reviews, double check to see that the amenities you must have are being offered. There are some very rustic spots, with bare bones accommodations, so choose carefully. Just remember, what a place might lack in amenities, could be made up for with charm, location or spectacular hosts.
There are also many not-so-grand hotels, places to rent rooms, cottages, entire homes, condos or apartments ranging from $50 a night up to $200 a night.
Booking.com and Travelocity are good places to look for those.
There are several all-inclusive beach resorts on the island where you can stay for a week or more without ever leaving the resort. They range in price from around $450 to $1000 a night depending on the location and accommodations being offered. Twice we stayed at the Jewel Paradise Cove Resort and Spa in Discovery Bay and paid $2000 for five nights which included entertainment (a few jam bands), five restaurants throughout the venue and numerous bars serving mostly watered down rum drinks and bottled beer. Our room was on the first floor and opened up onto a large pool with a bar (one of many) where you could swim up and drink early in the day and well into the night. The rooms were comfortable and the accommodations more than adequate. For an extra charge, some opted for maid service or a private butler.
I have passed by, but never stayed at a few impressive looking hotels that offer all inclusive deals… The Rui, Marriott
I recently stayed in the Freeport district of Montego Bay and saw a cruise ship docked nearby. It was a massive sight to behold, a city on the water. There were vendor stalls set up in the boat yard, allowing passengers to shop without leaving the environs of the ship! Yes, the vendors were friendly locals selling t-shirts and colorful summer dresses, but the boat yard was most unimpressive. Most cruise ships offer optional excursions to several touristy destinations, including The Blue Hole, Dunns Rivers Falls and Dolphin Cove; all memorable and exciting adventures offered at an additional cost, including transportation. If you choose to see Jamaica this way, make sure to look out the window of the bus or car that is transporting you. The people, the vendors, the landscape, the colors of Jamaica are intoxicating and you’ll want to just keep driving.
Hotels dot the most of the coastline in Jamaica, but the three main resort towns are Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica, but not necessarily a first choice tourist destination. More on the wonders of Kingston in the future!
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You have to love the colors.
Reading Beach, Montego Bay
