Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Jamaica. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Jamaica, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Jamaica vacation!
Don’t Be in a Hurry!
When you arrive in Jamaica, you are now on island time. This can take a while to get used to, and you may feel impatient before you are accustomed to the slower pace in Jamaica. You will notice it the minute you leave the plane and queue up for customs. If you can go with the flow, you will learn to appreciate the laidback friendly atmosphere in Jamaica.
Don’t Think Friendly Locals is an Act
The Jamaicans we met during our travels were incredibly helpful and friendly people. Friendly locals were one of our favorite things about Jamaica. Some tourists feel like it’s a bit over the top and even fake, but they really are just genuinely nice people.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Touts
When you visit the beaches of Jamaica or the markets, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by touts selling all kinds of different things. This is often cited as a big complaint from travelers to Jamaica, but if you respectfully decline their offers, they will leave you alone. They aren’t aggressive and if you treat them with respect, they will treat you with respect.
Don’t Be Upset if You Don’t Understand the Language
All of the locals speak English, but the Jamaican accent can be pretty thick to the point where you might not always understand what they are saying. It’s OK to ask them to repeat what they said, or to ask them to talk a bit slowly so you can understand them. It’s not a big deal at all.
Don’t Try to Use a Jamaican Accent
Everyone loves the Jamaican accent, and Americans love to run around saying “Ya, mon!” It might seem funny or fun to try and adopt a local accent, but it can really be seen as an insult like you are making fun of them. This really applies to any country you visit, not just Jamaica. Would you like tourists to come and make fun of your accent? Probably not!
Don’t Exchange Money Before Your Jamaica Vacation
Jamaica has so many visitors from the United States that nearly every place you visit will accept American dollars. The exchange rate might fluctuate a bit from vendor to vendor, but you can easily use your money from home and not worry about getting Jamaican dollars during your trip.
Jamaica Transportation
Don’t Drive in Jamaica
If you don’t absolutely have to, I do not recommend driving in Jamaica. Jamaican drivers can be a bit crazy so I really don’t recommend having a car. It’s very easy to hire a driver who is familiar with the traffic and roads in Jamaica. We hired a driver for the week and he practically became part of our family. Not only does a driver take the stress off of you, but they can also connect with you locals and show you some places that most tourists don’t get to see.
Don’t Forget That They Drive on the Left
Whether you’re walking or driving in Jamaica, you have to remember that they drive on the left. As a former British colony, driving on the left is how it’s done in Jamaica. So, remember to look both ways when crossing the street!
Don’t Worry About Farm Animals Along the Roads
You’ll see goats and cows wandering all over Jamaica. They’re not lost, they just have free range during the day, so they’ll wander back home eventually.
Don’t Underestimate Driving Times
Like everything in Jamaica, driving takes longer than you would expect. Between traffic and winding mountain roads, you always need to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Don’t assume 40 miles will take 40 minutes; it will likely take 90 minutes. You can shave some time off by taking the toll road, but be prepared to pay quite a bit! We paid $25 each way from Ocho Rios to Kingston.
Don’t Assume All Buses Are the Same
If you follow my advice not to drive in Jamaica, you will likely take the bus to get around. There are two different classes of buses in Jamaica, and you get what you pay for. The small, local buses pack you in like sardines. If you spend a bit more, you can get a comfortable seat and even WiFi on the nicer buses.
Jamaica Accommodation
Don’t Forget to Research Jamaica Accommodation
A lot of resorts in Jamaica are All-Inclusive, and they can vary greatly from resort to resort. There are Jamaican resorts for families, singles, couples and more, so you have to make sure you are picking a resort that fits your travel style.
Don’t Expect Jamaican Culture at the All-Inclusive Resorts
If you do decide to stay at one of the All-Inclusive resorts in Jamaica, don’t expect a rich cultural experience during your stay. These resorts are designed to provide you with a relaxing vacation. They have a lot of palates to please, so you won’t find much local food at the buffets. You can always ask the workers what the local specialty is, and they will point it out for you.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate at All-Inclusive Resorts
Don’t Be Afraid to Leave the Resort
The All-Inclusive resorts are designed so that you never have to leave, but I encourage you to sign up for some of the tours that go off property so you can explore a bit more of the island. It’s easy to find tour companies to arrange day trips for you, and your resort will even have some options. Leaving the resorts is where we really fell in love with all of the cool things to see in Jamaica.
Don’t Ignore Safety Advice
If your hotel gives you any security or safety tips, be sure to pay attention! At an all-inclusive, you’ll have a wristband you can use to access all facilities. You won’t need your wallet or your passport, so lock those up in the safe during your stay. If you plan to venture out on your own away from the resort, ask the hotel staff about the areas you plan to visit and they can give you any tips or warnings.
Jamaican Beaches
Don’t Forget to Apply Sunscreen Early & Often
Let’s face it; most people visit Jamaica for the beaches. The sun in the Caribbean is really strong, so don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and reapply it several times throughout the day. If you’re staying at a resort in Jamaica, the prices for sunscreen will shock you, so it’s best to bring your own from home. Make sure you bring bug spray, too!
Ten Things That Will Shock You At an All-Inclusive Resort
Don’t Miss All the Activities at the Beach and Beyond
Although the beaches in Jamaica are a huge draw, you don’t have to just lay out all day. There are tons of fun activities at the beaches. You can go parasailing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There’s even cliff diving for the super brave travelers! (But I recommend NOT cliff diving at Rick’s without giving it some serious thought; you can really get hurt if you aren’t prepared!)
Don’t Spend All Your Time at the Beach
Besides the beautiful beaches in Jamaica, there are tons of other places to go in Jamaica.
You can also go hiking in the rainforest and swim under waterfalls. There are some cool cultural experiences like plantation tours and museums.
Jamaican Cuisine
Try All the Jamaican Cuisine, Not Just Jerk Chicken
Jamaican cuisine is fantastic, including the jerk chicken. But there is so much more to try beyond the famous chicken that everyone knows about. Try the oxtail, curried goat, lots of exotic fruit, and of course the rum!
Don’t Skip the Jerk Huts
That said, the roadside jerk huts are some of the best food you’ll have in Jamaica, so don’t skip them! Ask the locals working at your hotel where to find their favorite jerk hut.
Don’t Mistake Ackee & Saltfish for Scrambled Eggs
A popular breakfast item from Jamaica cuisine is Ackee and Saltfish. Ackee is a kind of fruit from Africa and it’s typically boiled and served with codfish. It looks amazingly similar to scrambled eggs, but the taste is totally different. Getting fruit and fish when you are expecting eggs can be an unpleasant surprise, so be sure to read the labels or ask at the breakfast buffet.
Don’t Worry About the Tap Water
Unlike many countries we visit, you can drink the tap water in Jamaica. You don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water, so if you carry refillable water bottles, you can fill them up anywhere you go. Jamaica can be expensive, so it’s nice to be able to save money on water, especially at restaurants.
Safety in Jamaica
Don’t Assume Jamaica is Dangerous
When I was researching our Jamaica trip, I read a lot of things that suggested Jamaica isn’t safe. I was starting to question whether this would be a good family destination, but we have found Jamaica to be very safe. We traveled all over the island and did not experience any issues. Sure, you could run into issues, but Jamaica is not as dangerous as people make it out to be.
Don’t Forget Common Sense
Of course, no travel destination is 100% safe, so you have to use the same common sense you would traveling anywhere. There are a few towns you should not visit, and certain areas of Kingston and Ocho Rios to avoid. Ask the staff at your hotel which areas to avoid. Travel smarts include not wearing a bunch of flashy jewelry and electronics.
Don’t Think Marijuana is Legal in Jamaica
A lot of people tend to associate marijuana with Jamaica. It is a part of the culture, but it is not legal. It is decriminalized. If you choose to partake in marijuana in Jamaica, make sure you read up on the latest laws so that you are not ticketed for possession. And don’t even think about trying to bring some back home with you!
Don’t Fight Back if You are Robbed
This advice applies to any destination in the world. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel threatened, just give them whatever they want. It’s not worth losing your life over a wallet or a watch or a cell phone. This does not mean you will get robbed in Jamaica, but just a reminder of what to do anywhere, if you find yourself in trouble.
We loved our time in Jamaica and found it to be an excellent family travel destination. We loved the people, the scenery and all of the activities so much. We are ready to visit Jamaica again anytime! Looking for more of our travel tips? Check out these blog posts!