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coach · 02-26-2011, 03:57 PM

first off..enjoy yourself. now the cliff notes on Jamaica:

Be ready for a "cattle call" to find your Tour Operator after you clear customs. They will point you to a desk and that's where you'll book your transportation to/from the Resort.

After you clear the "cattle call" and you are told to "go through those doors to outside...", you'll find your bus to the resort,but stop by Margarittaville on the Taxi Stop.

Hopefully you are staying at a Resort near=by...We stayed at the RIU, closest from the Airport and very very nice. If not, enjoy your Bus Ride. Oh, BTW, don't be ALARMED by the looks...remember YOU are in a THIRD WORLD Country, it's very depressing looking at the surroundings.........

Oh yeah, I forgot to imform you... you will be picked up and dropped off on your RETURN TRIP HOME 3+ Hours before departure....the Airport is only OPEN for set hours[CUSTOMS TOO], then it closes up...NO ****. Then You are LOCKED inside to SHOP/SHOP/SHOP. There is also a "tobacco shop", but nothing but FAKES.

Now back to the RIU[where I stayed}, they have a good tobacco shop with limited selections and prices are "higher" than you would think, but legit. There are NO SA Habanos in Jamaica so bring your own. Also, it is not "advised" to go downtown[via TAXI at night[HIP STRIP], also YOU WILL BE SOLICATED to PURCHASASE WEED. Even during the day on the Strip and your RESORT BEACH[ you'll see the Vendors on kayaks in the ocean,as long as they are in the water they will first entice you with trinkets and then try you for weed. Especially if they see you smoking a cigar on the beach... here's what i told them and it worked....." I don't want your weed,nor do I want you to harass me/my wife. I ask you for RESPECT and I will RESPECT YOU. I will say/wave Hello if I see you on the beach, but please RESPECT my words". It works, and you'll learn "RESPECT"...it's common lingo down there.

HIP STRIP:
OK but just see it during the day. Castle Slot Parlor across from Margaritaville is good, along with M-ville. Jamaican Bobsled Cafe, that was really all you really want to see. Shop vendors are "pushy".

as for TOUR PKG's:

Dunn River Falls was a BLAST, but be advised that after the "climb", you have to[ok are advised], to exit through the VENDOR SWAP MKT, then be ready upon exiting to be handed a Red Stripe[oh yeah, the only beer you'll be drinking but good], and asked for $2, then someone else asking you what your and your wifes name then he'll start carving 2 statues with that and say here....then "$10..or whatever you want to give me...." Get used to it, no matter where ever or what ever you do the LOCALS WILL HAWK YOU FOR $$$. Not at the RESORTS but outside the boundaries it's what can I get.

Rose Hall looks to be a fun and knowledgable tour but we didn't take it.

If booked through AppleVacations[the co. i used, you'll be ok. if staying at the RIU hope you enjoy, especially the Lunch at the Beach JERK HUT. Skip the ITL&JAP Rest's and just eat at the Steak House or Great Hall [i can teach you how to only eat at the steak house].

now, finally your trip home. Like I said, you will be picked up and taken to the airport 3+ hrs before your departure. You will also find out that you cannot take your bags from the bus to the Terminal. There will be "HANDLERS" that can only take you bags...you will be told "it's their living and please RESPECT". Once you get your boarding pass you'll go through Customs and then you are LOCKED in to enjoy the JAMACIA AIRPORT....enjoy the Rum samples and you'll see the $ are somewhat cheaper,stay AWAY from the TOBACCO SHOP.

End of Cliffs Notes.

Have a good trip and i hope this helps.

02-26-2011, 03:57 PM	#9
coach Hiding in Klug"s Humi Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: twinsburg oh Posts: 258 Trading: (3)	Re: Trip to Jamaica booked... first off..enjoy yourself. now the cliff notes on Jamaica: Be ready for a "cattle call" to find your Tour Operator after you clear customs. They will point you to a desk and that's where you'll book your transportation to/from the Resort. After you clear the "cattle call" and you are told to "go through those doors to outside...", you'll find your bus to the resort,but stop by Margarittaville on the Taxi Stop. Hopefully you are staying at a Resort near=by...We stayed at the RIU, closest from the Airport and very very nice. If not, enjoy your Bus Ride. Oh, BTW, don't be ALARMED by the looks...remember YOU are in a THIRD WORLD Country, it's very depressing looking at the surroundings......... Oh yeah, I forgot to imform you... you will be picked up and dropped off on your RETURN TRIP HOME 3+ Hours before departure....the Airport is only OPEN for set hours[CUSTOMS TOO], then it closes up...NO ****. Then You are LOCKED inside to SHOP/SHOP/SHOP. There is also a "tobacco shop", but nothing but FAKES. Now back to the RIU[where I stayed}, they have a good tobacco shop with limited selections and prices are "higher" than you would think, but legit. There are NO SA Habanos in Jamaica so bring your own. Also, it is not "advised" to go downtown[via TAXI at night[HIP STRIP], also YOU WILL BE SOLICATED to PURCHASASE WEED. Even during the day on the Strip and your RESORT BEACH[ you'll see the Vendors on kayaks in the ocean,as long as they are in the water they will first entice you with trinkets and then try you for weed. Especially if they see you smoking a cigar on the beach... here's what i told them and it worked....." I don't want your weed,nor do I want you to harass me/my wife. I ask you for RESPECT and I will RESPECT YOU. I will say/wave Hello if I see you on the beach, but please RESPECT my words". It works, and you'll learn "RESPECT"...it's common lingo down there. HIP STRIP: OK but just see it during the day. Castle Slot Parlor across from Margaritaville is good, along with M-ville. Jamaican Bobsled Cafe, that was really all you really want to see. Shop vendors are "pushy". as for TOUR PKG's: Dunn River Falls was a BLAST, but be advised that after the "climb", you have to[ok are advised], to exit through the VENDOR SWAP MKT, then be ready upon exiting to be handed a Red Stripe[oh yeah, the only beer you'll be drinking but good], and asked for $2, then someone else asking you what your and your wifes name then he'll start carving 2 statues with that and say here....then "$10..or whatever you want to give me...." Get used to it, no matter where ever or what ever you do the LOCALS WILL HAWK YOU FOR $$$. Not at the RESORTS but outside the boundaries it's what can I get. Rose Hall looks to be a fun and knowledgable tour but we didn't take it. If booked through AppleVacations[the co. i used, you'll be ok. if staying at the RIU hope you enjoy, especially the Lunch at the Beach JERK HUT. Skip the ITL&JAP Rest's and just eat at the Steak House or Great Hall [i can teach you how to only eat at the steak house]. now, finally your trip home. Like I said, you will be picked up and taken to the airport 3+ hrs before your departure. You will also find out that you cannot take your bags from the bus to the Terminal. There will be "HANDLERS" that can only take you bags...you will be told "it's their living and please RESPECT". Once you get your boarding pass you'll go through Customs and then you are LOCKED in to enjoy the JAMACIA AIRPORT....enjoy the Rum samples and you'll see the $ are somewhat cheaper,stay AWAY from the TOBACCO SHOP. End of Cliffs Notes. Have a good trip and i hope this helps.