Jamaica master thread

[theyankel]

Anyone been to Hilton Rose Hall?

did you stay here?
how was?

[CountValentine]

did you stay here?
how was?

Yes. Family enjoyed it. I thought it was dated.
Weather was great so it is hard to complain.

[Mootkim]

Rental rates are reasonable. As pointed out they do drive on the left which can be tricky. While the roads are not the best, they are 100 times better than they use to be. If you do rent a car, consider going to Negril for a day trip. Great beaches and stop at Rick's Cafe to watch some cliff diving that you might want to try yourself. You can also take a catamaran from MBJ to Rick's. That is a blast.

Thank you! Will look into it. I'm Wondering if I can do Dunn's river falls (with the hikes around there), the bamboo rafting at Martha Brae, and the luminous lagoon (after dark) all in the same day trip? Is that too much and I should only do one of those day things?

[CountValentine]

Thank you! Will look into it. I'm Wondering if I can do Dunn's river falls (with the hikes around there), the bamboo rafting at Martha Brae, and the luminous lagoon (after dark) all in the same day trip? Is that too much and I should only do one of those day things?

Martha Brae and Lagoon will be a piece of cake. Lagoon is at night and Martha morning/afternoon.
Green Grotto Caves is a nice paring with Dunn's river.
If you rent a car the drive to Dunn's will take a lot out of you. Bring water shoes for Dunn's. I don't use them, but I am stupid. 

[aishel]

Looking to go in a week. The excellence looks really nice, but not bookable with even Chase points. Ended up going for the Zilara. I tried starting the application to import food but it seems like you first need to get approved to register for an account before you can even start the application so waiting on that. Did anyone rent a car when they went? Thinking of doing that as I want the freedom to go to the Chabad Kosher Spot as well as excursions out to Ocho Rios to do Dunns River falls, Luminous Lagoon, Martha Brae and maybe a Chukka adventure.

I did not end up filling out the application for importing food. We brought plenty of vacuum-packed already prepared frozen chicken cutlets and we just took what we would want for that day out of the freezer in the morning for it to defrost by evening.

While I stayed only in my hotel (Excellence Oyster Bay), I could not get my hands on any kosher milk. I only found kosher coffee creamer powder packets. And the milk there all has added ingredients, including butter oils.

Safe travels and enjoy!

[Mootkim]

Martha Brae and Lagoon will be a piece of cake. Lagoon is at night and Martha morning/afternoon.
Green Grotto Caves is a nice paring with Dunn's river.
If you rent a car the drive to Dunn's will take a lot out of you. Bring water shoes for Dunn's. I don't use them, but I am stupid. 

I'm trying to figure this out online. DO you need to book tickets to Dunns River or the caves? Also is the Blue hole near there too? I cant find the exact location on a map. DO you need tickets for that as well?

[ShlockDoc]

Martha Brae and Lagoon will be a piece of cake. Lagoon is at night and Martha morning/afternoon.
Green Grotto Caves is a nice paring with Dunn's river.
If you rent a car the drive to Dunn's will take a lot out of you. Bring water shoes for Dunn's. I don't use them, but I am stupid. 

Arriving there next Thursday with a cruise.  Booked a Green Grotto Caves and Dunn's River combo tour.   

I'm hoping that the guide has a blunt to share for the caves tour, that would make it perfect. 

[CountValentine]

I'm trying to figure this out online. DO you need to book tickets to Dunns River or the caves? Also is the Blue hole near there too? I cant find the exact location on a map. DO you need tickets for that as well?

We never bought tickets in advance since we paid the Jamaican price on the spot. You need a Jamaican resident with you.
I am embarrassed to say I never been to the Blue hole but it is near Ocho Rios so probably a few miles.
ETA:https://www.beaches.com/blog/ocho-rios-blue-hole/

[CountValentine]

I'm hoping that the guide has a blunt to share for the caves tour, that would make it perfect.

They should be fired if they don't. 

[Divora M]

How do I check for cruise ships schedules so I know when not to visit Dunn’s Fall?

[Divora M]

Looking to go in a week. The excellence looks really nice, but not bookable with even Chase points. Ended up going for the Zilara. I tried starting the application to import food but it seems like you first need to get approved to register for an account before you can even start the application so waiting on that. Did anyone rent a car when they went? Thinking of doing that as I want the freedom to go to the Chabad Kosher Spot as well as excursions out to Ocho Rios to do Dunns River falls, Luminous Lagoon, Martha Brae and maybe a Chukka adventure.

When are you going to be there? We are going 17-24 and are renting a car 😬

[CountValentine]

How do I check for cruise ships schedules so I know when not to visit Dunn’s Fall?

It is always busy.

[ShlockDoc]

How do I check for cruise ships schedules so I know when not to visit Dunn’s Fall?

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports?country=Jamaica

[Divora M]

It is always busy.

Even if no cruise ships are there and it’s not during busy season?

[Divora M]

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports?country=Jamaica

Thanks!

[CountValentine]

Even if no cruise ships are there and it’s not during busy season?

I never checked on cruise ships but been there several times in the last few years and it was busy. I would guess early in morning would be best.

[Mootkim]

When are you going to be there? We are going 17-24 and are renting a car 😬

14-18

[Mootkim]

Think I am skipping the car rental in the end. I spoke to a driver who was recommended by a friend who used him as well as saw him on the Chabad website and I would use him for one day on the long trip. Tentatively looking at doing 1 long day of leaving early and going to Cool blue hole which is about 2 hours from Montego Bay. After that going to do Dunns river on the way back towards the hotel, and then in the evening time do the Luminous lagoon. The driver arranges all aspects of that trip. Another day will do Chukka in Sandy bay Ocean outpost. Maybe do the horseback riding, ATV and Catamaran power snorkeling package. The other days relax at the hotel with their activities and boats that they offer and maybe hop over to Martha Brae 20 minutes away for the log rafting on the river.

[Mootkim]

On a recent trip to Jamaica . I got a permit the last minute less then 24 hrs to arrival .
Online it can be a little complicate to nevigate. So I had one of their representatives on the phone and guided me step by step she was very helpful and patient . (It took 45 min the process) I received my permit within the hour, the fee was $10
At the end I didn’t even use it, I figured I’ll just pass the regular security line without declaring anything and just in case being stopped I’ll then present the permit .. bh no one looked no one asked ..

Here’s the info.

https://www.moatrade.gov.jm/MOA/

Does anyone have a phone number to try and call for this?

[Divora M]

Here is a link to our TR that you may find helpful.

 https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130548.0