Jamaica

Jamaica is not a place to be wandering around.  The locals can be frightening.  They are pushy.  They think nothing of grabbing your arm and trying to "encourage" you to get in their cab.  Drugs are a big problem.  The cruise message boards have many tales of young couples, teenage kids, older idiots that get left behind - in jail.  Mick's sister in law (a bit clueless she is) is still trying to figure out why the guy on the beach thought she was a smoker and offered to sell her a cigarette.  

We have been to Jamaica once.  We had done a bit of research (and were on a strict travel budget) so we took a shuttle from the port to Dr. Cave's beach.  It is not the most gorgeous beach but it was ok.  They had drinks for sale - about $13 for a Daiquiri or Margarita and about $5 for a local beer. There was a charge to get on the beach and a charge for a chair and umbrella.  Would we do this one again?  Maybe. . .

Jamaica

Carnival Excursions

Carnival offers 35 excursions.  14 of these are over $100 per person.  8 of them are $99.99.

That leaves 13 excursions that are realistically less than $200 a couple.

Those under $100:  Jungle River Tubing and Pub Hopping get bad reviews so I didn't bother any more.

4x4 Jeep and hidden waterfall gets good reviews.  I am going out on a limb and say this is one I prefer to skip.  They highly recommend bug spray for your very bumpy ride and  getting a good guide that will tell you about the historic things you are stopping to look at. 

Good Hope Estate - is $69 and you tour a plantation and look at birds and then get to buy your lunch for $10.  BTW - it has one review and it is a good one. I am worried about that person. 

The description on Croydon Plantation tour begins with "take a one and half hour ride".  Sorry if you want more information - look it up.  I read no further.

Appleton Estate tour is worse - "begin with a two and one half hour drive".  HA - I'm on vacation.  (And I suspect there is not one Allsups or Valero for bathroom breaks). 

Rose Hall House and Shopping.   A 30 minute ride where the views are amazing and you get to tour a fancy house and hear the story of a possible witch . . . and then they take your shopping.  All for the ridiculously high price of $59.99.  It does get mixed reviews so I'm assuming some folks just have no life at all.. 

Jamaica swamp and safari tour sounds hot and swampy.  But I checked it out.  It is 3 hours - an hour ride each way and an hour of wildlife.  Highlight is getting to hold a baby crocodile.  For a two hour drive and that is the highlight?  You do visit the place Roger Moore walked on the backs of crocodiles in Live and Let Die.  (Yawn)

Ocho Rios and Dunn River Falls - Quote from description:  "Take a wonderful scenic 2-hour drive past some of Jamaica's most beautiful villages, resorts, vacation homes and historical attractions. Arrive at the Falls in Ocho Rios.  Have the opportunity to climb the 600 foot waterfall and bask in its refreshing natural pools."  Then read from reviews.  "non athletic climbers in the way" (hell what would they say about a fat ass old woman")"  "Back on the bus for a 2 hour ride in a wet swim suit". "Blisters on my feet".   All I can say is I'll take my seven and one half hours and $80 bucks and go to the bar.

Negril Experience, Margaritaville and Cliff Divers - I so wanted to  put this on the "Kathy approves" list.  But it is an hour and a half drive to the first stop.  WTH?  Reviews talk about the pushy vendors on the beach and getting to see villages and hear the history . . .  blah blah blah. 

Top 10 of Montego Bay - most reviews that liked it enjoyed the shopping.  Those who didn't like it said it was 90% shopping.  It is inexpensive so lots of folks with kids sign up.  That just removed it from consideration.

Catamara Sail and Snorkel.  First thing that got my attention - "short walk from the port".  This gets good reviews and for those in the group that like to snorkel  . . .  It is $70 for two and a half hours.  It includes a boat ride, alcohol and snorkeling.  It also makes a stop at Margaritaville - where you pick up your own tab.

Rafting on the Martha Brae.  Four and one half hours for $60 with a 45 minute drive each way with two shopping trips.  You must exit the bus at each one.  Rafting is about 45 minutes of the trip.  No food is provided or available and bathrooms require a tip.  Rafts are owned by the captains on them and they tend to bring along "their wares" and encourage your to buy as your float.  One couple didn't buy and the captain paddled so fast they finished in less than 30 miutes.  Others said their captains only tried to sell at the end of the trip. 

Jamaica -

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