I'm going on my first vacation as an adult. I am going to Jamaica. What are some important do's and don'ts?

Question

I'm going on my first vacation as an adult. I am going to Jamaica. What are some important do's and don'ts?

Answer 1

Be prepared to tip EVERYONE...Bring lots of cash, because everyone who does ANYTHING for you down there will expect a tip, starting with the guys who carry yours bags at the airport (and no, you don't get a choice, they just grab your bags without asking you). They don't require much, but you will have to tip something. (This was the one thing our travel agent didn't tell us, so good thing we brought plenty of cash)

Stay on the resort, and if you do venture off (which you will want to), make sure you only go on resort approved tours. Same with taxi cabs...the ones with the red stickers on them (I think they have the initials "PP" on them) are the safe ones.

Don't get taken advantage of. Most people will take no for an answer, but you have to be firm. Just don't be rude or they won't leave you alone.

WEAR SUNSCREEN!!! I was in Jamaica a few months ago and I still have the burn scars!

Answer 2

Becareful of laws which may differ from here. You wouldn't want to get arrested for something that is totally legal here.

Answer 3

Fist of all:

DO NOT listen to the people on here that are telling you to carry a lot of money, if you don't wanna tip them, then don't!

Do NOT be afraid to try the food, don't let people fool you.

It's VERRRRY tasty!

(American food ain't so CLEAN either!)

DO's:

Wear a lot of sunblock!

Go to the nightclubs and other parties and enjoy yourself.

EAT JERK CHICKEN!

Guard your valuables carefully! There are 'undesirables' in Jamaica just like there are in America!

Finally:

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR TELEVISION.

JAMAICA IS NOT JUST ZINC FENCES, MANGY DOGS, THIEVES/THUGS,POVERTY AND OTHER NEGATIVE THINGS THAT THEY TELL YOU!

But most importantly show respect to all people and enjoy your trip!

And don't forget to try the Jerk Chicken!

Answer 4

Dont try to SPEAK Jamaican (Patois/Patwah). People will look at you funny. Make sure you dress good enough for hot weather without making yourself look too exposed. Thats a big thing down there.

Foods to try: Mango, Sorrel (Beverage), Ackee and Saltfish (National Dish), Jerk Chicken (Best cooked), Bulla cake!!!!

Answer 5

Jamaica isn't a place you want to wander around alone.  Stay on the premises of your resort or on their official day trips.  Off the resort, you will hounded endlessly to buy all kinds of items, some legal, some not - and they sometimes don't readily take "no" for an answer.

Answer 6

convert your money to Jamaican when you get there.  dont go shopping with foreign currency.

If possible take a jamaican with you  who understand the dialect and the culture if you are leaving your hotel........

Dont be afraid to try the local cuisine

If you have to drive.............drive on the left...........

Answer 7

Ok don't  follow Russell's advise about wearing a money belt, it is not cool, you will look and feel like a nerd and it makes it easier for you to get mugged.

All the other tips are so good  just want to say DO have fun

Answer 8

Don't travel alone - there are many people on drugs there - the crime is high / the place is dirty / the people are overbearing and poor so guard you and your $ -- oh, careful of food you eat / they aren't has clean as some of US

Answer 9

DO wear a money belt, it keeps all your valuable so close no one can get them.

DON'T let the people their haggle you. jamaicans can be REALLY overbearring. don't just ignore them, that doesn't work. if they are bugging you, simply say, no thankyou. if they keep coming say, you are bothering me, and you need to leave me alone, i said no thankyou, have a nice day.

DO haggle back. for like, buying things or getting a ride or a service, if someone offers you a price, take them lower, because they're taking advantage of you.

DO make sure you go to Dunn's river falls, it's amazing.

DO always check your shoes before you put them back on. stepping into a big fat cockroach kind of puts a damper on your day.

DO copy travel plans and itinerarys and give them to friends and family members at home.

DO have fun ;o)

Answer 10

Do all the things a tourist in any foreign country would do... that is keep your money safe... dont go off with any sickos and trust the with your life...secure your passport etc. preferably at the hotel... and dont pet strange animals :)

Do get out of the hotel and see jamaica for real.. not the made in china commercial version that is cliche and void of substance.

Do find some real art and craft, like wassi art or things jamaican stuff and buy souvners

Do eat everything u have never heard of

Do see a play or go to a club

Do not panic at the natives... we are very animated (hands move while we talk.. lots of contact) and good spirited

Do take health insurance ... suppose your alergic to shellfish!!

Do not rent a dread... prostitution is also illegal... but who can dictate who to love??

Do not stay out in the sun without protection

Do not walk on the reefs bear foot

Do not drink alchol if ur from UK... your not use to it... drink soda :)

Do not pet di magga dogs they will follow u to airport

Do NOT smoke weed... it is illegal (i told u but your an adult i cant stop u)

Do Not try to bring home aloe, comfri or any other WEED

Do not  change your money with weirdos on the street... there are cambios and banks... go there

Do not jump off a cliff at ricks unless u are prepared to injur yourself... its a big risk

DO NOT listen to the scare/smear campaign that u see here... every body has bad vacations... doesnt mean the place is bad...

And do enjoy your stay!!

Answer 11

Do's: Use sunblock, Eat the foods that you have never tried before(ackee,Jamaican fruits) , bring enough money, visit allot places, buy souvenirs , party and have fun. and bring back some liquor if your native country allows it.

Don't: Don't go anywhere by yourself( always travel in groups)  don't be rude to the natives, don't go thinking you can smoke weed in public. Do not try to bring it back to your native country. Do not wonder off with the hot young  men alone, bring your friends, lol. have fun....

Answer 12

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