Topic Wiki

Trip Reports, notes and reviews:

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=30598.msg2691625#msg2691625

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130548.msg2629228#msg2629228

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130962.0


Airports:
Kingston                   Kingston / St. Andrew   MKJP   KIN      
Montego Bay           Saint James                   MKJS MBJ   
Ocho Rios/Boscobel   Saint Mary   MKBS           OCJ


Where to stay:  Points?
Montego Bay
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall (All-Inclusive)
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall (All-Inclusive) (Adults Only)
Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Jamaica (All-Inclusive)
Holiday Inn Montego Bay (All-Inclusive)
Half Moon
Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island (Over Water Bungaloo)
Sandals Montego Bay
Secrets
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall


Kosher:
Chabad   http://www.jewishjamaica.com/kosher/
Chabad Kosher Hot Spot  - 1-3 Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay  +1 876-452-3223   Open:10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Bringing food with you requires a Permit: https://www.moatrade.gov.jm/MOA/
apply for a Veterinary License
when your adding all your items to the list you can search Kosher for a full list. Also Consignor= Store you purchased it from
Easiest way to get through to permit department is 876.281.2601 normally takes 5 business days online

Mikvah:
Gorgeous brand new Mikvah in Chabad Center

 If you have any queries or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out to Rebbetzin Mushkee Raskin through WhatsApp at  347 268 3494 or mushkee@jewishjamaica.com

Chabad:
CHABAD JAMAICA  876-630-4400 | 876-452-3223
RABBI@CHABADOFJAMAICA.COM


What to do:
Ocho Rios Blue Hole
Dunns Falls (Hike up waterfalls)
Luminous Lagoon (Glistening Waters) and Rose Hall Great House
Horseback Ride n' Swim! through the ocean
Green Grotto Caves (From James Bond Live and Let Die)
Mystic Mountain Bobsledding (From Cool Runnings)
Zip Lining
Sailing
ATV Tour
Bamboo rafting excursion down the Martha Brae River
Floyd's Pelican Bar
PLEASE UPDATE

« Last edited by moishes on August 14, 2023, 01:23:59 PM »

Author Topic: Jamaica master thread  (Read 55057 times)

Online Ploni3

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #40 on: December 31, 2017, 07:43:43 AM »
Well, at a minimum remember that they drive on the left side of the street.

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #41 on: December 31, 2017, 08:58:06 AM »
If you really want to see the island you need a car. Excursions are not cheap.
Also look into a catamaran tour. They go to Negril and Ocho Rios and are a lot of fun for the whole family.
Where are you staying in MBJ?
I just found a new supply of forks!

Offline travellove

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #42 on: January 01, 2018, 06:42:56 PM »
I looked into it a bit more. I don’t think I will drive there. Did you take a taxi everywhere you went or you hired someone for the day/week?

You have any recommendations for catamaran?

Will be staying 2 days in Hyatt Zilara and 2 days in Hilton at Runaway Bay.

Dunns River Falls I should rather do with a tour guide or rather by myself?

Thinking of going to Negril for 1 day. Dunns River falls another day. Glistening waters I did already in Puerto Rico. You think I should do it again? Any other major to-do items?

So far both hotels have told me that I will have to take care/pay kosher food myself. How do i know what drinks/snacks/food is kosher in the hotel? Can I get fruits and vegetables from them or is the knife an issue? If yes, is there a way around it?

Thanks in advance

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #43 on: January 01, 2018, 07:28:34 PM »
I looked into it a bit more. I don’t think I will drive there. Did you take a taxi everywhere you went or you hired someone for the day/week?

You have any recommendations for catamaran?

Will be staying 2 days in Hyatt Zilara and 2 days in Hilton at Runaway Bay.

Dunns River Falls I should rather do with a tour guide or rather by myself?

Thinking of going to Negril for 1 day. Dunns River falls another day. Glistening waters I did already in Puerto Rico. You think I should do it again? Any other major to-do items?

So far both hotels have told me that I will have to take care/pay kosher food myself. How do i know what drinks/snacks/food is kosher in the hotel? Can I get fruits and vegetables from them or is the knife an issue? If yes, is there a way around it?

Thanks in advance
I really enjoyed the Hyatt there.(prob my fav hotel of all time) Also the chef was able to make me fish one night. I recal there being kosher lays chips in the room( and of course I ordered lots more) I wouldn’t rely on it happening though. Def don’t need a guide for Dunn river falls it was a lot of fun but unless someone is going to need help physically and you can’t help them it’s not necessary

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #44 on: January 02, 2018, 06:51:53 AM »
Hyatt Zilaara has Kosher yogurt, boxed cereal (kellog) and fresh fruit at breakfast and was very good about providing fresh cut fruit (loved the local avocado and mango). Chabad will provide Kosher double wrapped meals and deliver to hotel and they were very good about rewarming. If you can splurge for the butler service, I found it very useful when dealing with Kosher but you certainly can do it without that service -  just need to be more hands on. Cut fruit it aylor but there are certainly those who say it is ok in an establishment like this which must worry about allergies etc.- for unsharp fruits.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #45 on: January 02, 2018, 10:12:19 AM »
I really enjoyed the Hyatt there.(prob my fav hotel of all time) Also the chef was able to make me fish one night. I recal there being kosher lays chips in the room( and of course I ordered lots more) I wouldn’t rely on it happening though. Def don’t need a guide for Dunn river falls it was a lot of fun but unless someone is going to need help physically and you can’t help them it’s not necessary

Thanks for your answers. What was it about the Hyatt there that was so special? Just curious how did you know that everything he used to prepare the fish was ok?

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #46 on: January 02, 2018, 10:18:18 AM »
Hyatt Zilaara has Kosher yogurt, boxed cereal (kellog) and fresh fruit at breakfast and was very good about providing fresh cut fruit (loved the local avocado and mango). Chabad will provide Kosher double wrapped meals and deliver to hotel and they were very good about rewarming. If you can splurge for the butler service, I found it very useful when dealing with Kosher but you certainly can do it without that service -  just need to be more hands on. Cut fruit it aylor but there are certainly those who say it is ok in an establishment like this which must worry about allergies etc.- for unsharp fruits.

Boxed cereal was part of room service that you had to pay extra for? Is there an issue with having them cut your avocado as far as kashrus?  You wrote “Cut fruit it aylor”. What does that mean? Any ideas on what other excursions to do or the most economical way to get a driver to drive around? Thanks.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #47 on: January 02, 2018, 10:31:19 AM »
Boxed cereal was part of room service that you had to pay extra for? Is there an issue with having them cut your avocado as far as kashrus?  You wrote “Cut fruit it aylor”. What does that mean? Any ideas on what other excursions to do or the most economical way to get a driver to drive around? Thanks.
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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #48 on: January 02, 2018, 12:49:48 PM »
They let me into the kitchen and I  checked everything. Turned on the ovens etc

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #49 on: January 02, 2018, 01:45:37 PM »
Any info on a driver there?

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #50 on: January 02, 2018, 04:43:19 PM »
The hyatt Zilaara will call you a taxi but they charge American rates. Local Jamaican taxis are much much cheaper but the condition of the cars are often shocking and they are not marked or possibly even regulated.  If you can find a good local one you can save lots of money.
Obviously you don't need help for the self service breakfast to get kosher items. I'm referring to arranging for heating meals and ordering cut fruit etc. Of course, all that can be done on your own with some involvement but you need to be on top of it.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #51 on: January 02, 2018, 04:47:31 PM »
As far as excursions, we did a couple through the resort so they probably overcharged. The Rose Hall "tour" was a cute historical tour of the "haunted" Rose Hall mansion but not a do not miss. We also did a private trip to the glistening/blue light lagoon in Falmouth at night.  That was quite cool and I would highly recommend that experience.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #52 on: January 02, 2018, 06:26:16 PM »
Thanks for all the info

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #53 on: January 02, 2018, 06:52:48 PM »
They let me into the kitchen and I  checked everything. Turned on the ovens etc
So if a jew turns on a non kosher oven, everything is OK?

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #54 on: February 22, 2018, 08:30:57 PM »
Heading to the Ziva tomorrow.  Mostly want to do nothing, but is there any can't-miss attraction/site/activity in Jamaica?

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #55 on: February 22, 2018, 08:57:21 PM »
Nothing that's absolutely can't miss but we did the luminous lagoon near Falmouth  and thought it was uber cool. We arranged via the hotel (can't remember if it was Ziva or Zalara but they're essentially the same) and went out  at night with a private driver.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #56 on: March 06, 2018, 12:38:22 AM »
I just want to report two DPs about the Hyatt Zilara after I had a quick weekend getaway there:

1. Even though it says on their website that the shuttle is $30 RT, I wasn't charged anything.
2. At check-in I asked for an upgrade to a swim up suite.  I don't have any status this year but was friendly and pleasant.  They gave it to me at no charge simply for asking. 

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #57 on: March 06, 2018, 10:37:07 AM »
I just want to report two DPs about the Hyatt Zilara after I had a quick weekend getaway there:

1. Even though it says on their website that the shuttle is $30 RT, I wasn't charged anything.
2. At check-in I asked for an upgrade to a swim up suite.  I don't have any status this year but was friendly and pleasant.  They gave it to me at no charge simply for asking. 
Nice! Did you do the luminous water and dunns river falls?
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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #58 on: March 06, 2018, 10:51:51 AM »
I just want to report two DPs about the Hyatt Zilara after I had a quick weekend getaway there:

1. Even though it says on their website that the shuttle is $30 RT, I wasn't charged anything.
2. At check-in I asked for an upgrade to a swim up suite.  I don't have any status this year but was friendly and pleasant.  They gave it to me at no charge simply for asking.
That's great! Glad you had a nice time. Pics and TR, please! :P Was the swim-up room really a suite? At Ziva Cancun they had swim-up rooms, but they were normal sized rooms.

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Re: Jamaica master thread
« Reply #59 on: March 06, 2018, 12:16:42 PM »
From my travels that hotel is still feels the most luxurious to me. The concept of an all inclusive is amazing and at the Hyatt zilara in Jamaica I felt that they really got it