So you're thinking about going to Jamaica for a vacation or honeymoon but you've "heard" somethings?  Well hopefully I can give you a little insight into what is my favorite Caribbean Island.  Ok, so it might be a little bias and I do not consider myself to be a world traveler but I can give you a perspective on this little bit of paradise from the average Joe's point of view.

Even I must admit I occassionly hear the statement that Jamaica is very unsafe and you can't leave the resort without risking your life.  I can tell you emphatically that is NOT true.  Like every other place in the world there are good and bad areas.  Jamaica has come so far that everytime we go back things are even better than the prior trip.  My family and I have walked downtown Montego Bay at all hours and have experience little no more then the occassional person trying to sell candy or cigarettes.  A polite no thank you always seems to do the trick.  If you do go do not pass up the opportunity to see the city of Montego Bay at what it has to offer.  The residents are the warmest and friendliest people I have ever met and are very accomodating.

Since I've addressed the rumour I will tell you about several areas of the Island we have visitied and what you might expect.  I guess I should start with Montego Bay.  Rich in history and culture there is a lot more to do than the beach, though I will tell you it is hard to pry yourself away from the white sands and turquoise waters.  An old fort has been converted into a craft market where Jamaican's have many booths set up and a diverse variety of wares for sale from art to handcarved items to jewelry.  Now I will warn you that some of the vendors can be quite insistant but stand your ground and if you want an item haggle, haggle, haggel!  If you don't get your price the next vendor or two probably has a similar item for sale.  Again they can be persistant so if you are easily rattled or a very, very  bad negotiator this might not be for you.  Personally I love going there and most of them cringe when they see me coming but I never leave without a bunch of things.  I also recommend snorkeling in Montego Bay Marine Park, Doctor's Caves, and there are also many excursions you can arrange (generally a desk is available at your resort) for a variety of things like river tubing and rafting on the Martha Brae to name a few.  Check out Margaritaville too.  It is something to be seen.(Picture of Margaritaville Moe Bay)

Negril is on the S.Western end of the island.  The sunsets there are breathtaking.  The cliff jumping and sand caves are also a must.  Shopping here is also very good particularly for jewelry and spirits.  It does take about an hour by tour bus from Montego Bay to get there and keep in mind that Jamaica's two main airports are in Kingston and the main airport Sangsters is in Montego Bay.  There are a varitey of resorts from very reasonable to "you've got to be kidding me" though this is true just about everywhere.  Though the beaches are unmatched the one draw back about Negril to me is that all the hotels located on the famed seven mile beach are actually on a Marine Park and none of the beaches there are privite.  You can expect to be approached more than once by vendors offering sevices from jetski rides to toenail painting to hairbraiding.  Generally a polite "no thank you" works and they are on to the next vacationer.  I will say that security is provided and very visible from all hotels so don't let this deter you in any way.  Negril is beautiful.

Ocho Rios and Dunn's River are east of Montego Bay by about an hour also.  I will say this; the roadways improve vastly everytime we visit. There is a great deal of shopping here so don't spend everything at your first stop.  My family and I did the "tourist" thing and climbed up Dunn's River Falls the first year there.  If you go with a tour you will be holding hands with about twenty or thirty other tourists as you ascend. Some might not like that but we've made friends with some from that original experience and communicate with them to this day.  Yes there is the photo booth at the end that offers $25.00 photos of your climb and the tip collection for the guides but with that aside it is worth the experience.  If you enjoy a drink or two, the catamaran tour is great fun.  Snorkeling and the ladies get a foot massage too.  Oh don't forget that world famous Rum Punch................though enough of it does make you forget things, which may be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.

Where ever you call home, Jamaica is well worth visiting.  I can't say enough about it's people and their capacity for hospitality and warmth.  Try the cuisine (Forget the burgers, dogs and such) you will not be sorry.  Exchange rates are near 60 to 1.  If you are a coffee lover just wait until you get a chance to sample REAL Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. I do recommend waiting until you go to the airport when leaving to buy the bulk of any alcohol you may want to bring back.  The prices are comparable and they box everything up for you to take ON THE PLANE as carry on so you don't have to worry about the strict weight limits of bags and the bottles being broken from rough handling.  After your visit here you to will say that you are "Irie Mon"!!!