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I haven't been, but am planning our honeymoon there too! The negative feedback has definitely been bringing us down as well, especially when it's delivered in a way that suggests 1. we haven't done our research, 2. we're "stupid" to even consider Jamaica, 3. we're not conscientious travelers, 4. we've never been abroad. Argh! Some of the people giving us this advice have never even been to Jamaica. I'd love to hear more about it from people who've actually been there!
I’ve been to Ocho Rios, Jamaica (about 5 years ago for vacation). It wasn’t *that* dangerous. Be smart, like you would in any major city, anywhere in the world. Don’t stand around looking lost, don’t flash $$$, don’t put yourself in precarious situations - just the same basic tips for anywhere.
Although we didn’t go wandering alone after dark (more because we didn’t know where anything was than because we were afraid), I think some of the danger is manufactured by the resorts that want to keep you, and your money, on site.
We ate breakfast each morning in a local, Jamaican owned, café. The food and service was wonderful, and much cheaper than eating at the resort, or the American restaurants in/around the resort.
It was beautiful there – snorkeling was amazing, the beaches are lovely. We climbed this awesome waterfall, which was fun. You can haggle with the guys running the services like jet-ski, scuba, etc.
To be completely honest though, what bothered me about Jamaica (and why I won’t go back) is that nearly every beach is privately owned, and fenced (some with guards). Anyone not staying at a resort, (which ends up being just the local population), are charged admission to the beaches, which frankly, was an outrageous amount, and was an amount that ensured you stayed on the beach side of the fence, and the local population stayed on the other side. This may not be the case in all areas of Jamaica, but it was where we stayed (and for the miles we walked up and down the beaches), and it was quite uncomfortable for us.
I've been to Jamaica twice (both on a cruise, so I've never actually stayed there) and I absolutely love it! It can be dangerous, but as long as you are smart about what you're doing you'll be fine. I would recommend spending most of your time at the resort unless you have a specific place you are headed - basically, don't just leave the resort and wander around looking for something to do!
Honestly, you should be fine. Jamaica is one of my absolute favorite places - the people are SO nice and friendly, and I could talk to them all day. That could have something to do with the fact that I am absolutely enthralled with their accents :)
You probably won't leave Sandals in Ocho Rios at all, and if you do it'll probably be on a supervised trip somewhere. You'll be fine! They want you to buy stuff and have a good time there, especially since it's a touristy part of the country. Just don't go wandering through the streets and you're ok.
I went to that part of Jamaica with a girlfriend, and it didn't feel dangerous. I think it can be, if you go way off the beaten path and poke around in remote areas without a guide, which I assume you won't. The only downside to traveling with a friend in Jamaica was that the men were constantly (I mean completely relentlessly) on the make. It was pretty exhausting fending them off after a few days. Traveling with your new husband, though, I doubt you'll run into that problem. It's a beautiful place with many warm and kind people. I think you'll enjoy it!
Thanks for the advice! I try to nicely tell people that I've been to "dangerous" places before; I spent some months in Kenya, where more than an hour's car ride required a security guard with an ak-47 because of carjackings/kidnappings/lions. I figure that I am about 50% safer in Jamaica than I was in Kenya because of the lack of deadly animals, LOL...well actually a lot safer, since I don't plan on leaving the resort. Thanks again.
You should be fine then, you have a healthy sense of "safety." The main thing in Jamaica is that you just need to stay together. NEVER go anywhere alone.
We are headed that way too, but not for a little while. Bring this post up again July 1st, and I'll let you know all about it.
Yeah, I definitely don't plan on walking anywhere alone. I've been wanting to go to Jamaica for a while now though and I don't wanna be scared the whole time I'm there. I just wanted to make sure it's safe to go off of the resort during the daytime to site see.
@gabrielleelise 1981- I'm really excited about snorkeling and all of the water activities! That's crazy about the beaches though! I guess we won't be visiting any other beach than our resort.
@Ella1978- Can't wait to hear how your trip goes!
Thanks for all of the feed back and good luck to everyone planning a trip there! I hope it's as beautiful as the pictures :)
i stopped in jamaica, ochos rios on a cruise we climbed dunns river falls. DO IT! it was amazing
we hired a guide for the day Marva was her name, and she drove us around in her AIRCONDITIONED (important when choosing a guide) van. she took us past her house, through he neighborhood just to see how the people live
she took us to her favorite real jamiacan restaurant, and then waited while we were at the waterfalls. She then took us shopping and dropped us right back off at the port.
I would suggest hiring someone to take you somewhere if you go, or go through the resort on an excursion. I didnt feel UNsafe. but i was with my Dad. I wouldve felt unsafe if I were with a gf.
I'm here right now!!!!! Literally! (Poor hubby is so sunburned we're stuck in our room most of the time!)
I mean, we aren't leaving our resort, and if we did, it would just be on resort exursions. We're at Sandals Dunn's River Villagggio (ps which I heard is closing in July bc they rent it not own it, so FYI check on that if you're going here not to the grande one. I like this one better since it's smaller but better one Sandals than none!)
I haven't even been offered pot once, although we've smelled it on our balcony. It's been WONDERFUL and as long as you don't go off the beaten path you wil be 100% fineeee!
I have not been to Jamaica but we are doing a cruise for our honeymoon and one of the stops is Jamaica. Anywhere you go out of the country is going to be somewhat dangerous. Hawaii is dangerous too and tons of people go to Hawaii for their honeymoon and otherwise. I think if you are just aware of your surroundings and travel smart you should be okay.
We are also going to Jamaica on our honeymoon. We plan on staying at one of the Sandals resorts. I'm not sure which one yet. I also heard the Dunn's River location was closing. As long as you stay at your resort you should be fine. Just take the normal safety precautions and you should be fine. Have a great time!
I've been to off-the-beaten track Jamaica (stayed in a tiny village with no other tourists). I went with three of my girlfriends and we always felt completely safe. The only exception was driving - the Northeast side of the island has some treacherous roads!
If you travel smart you shouldn't have any problems with safety in Jamaica. It's spectacular - enjoy yourselves!
as long as you stay in the toursity spots, i think you'll be okay, jamaica was BEAUTIFUL and i LOVED climbing the falls! :)
I've never been to the Sandals but Ocho Rios is gorgeous! I've been to Jamaica a few times and Ocho Rios was my favorite. I can tell you two semi-scary stories 1 about my Mom and 1 my brother in Jamaica but I'm not gonna lie - the only reason something happened is because they did stupid things & weren't thinking.
Yes, it IS pretty dangerous to go off by yourself at night anywhere in Jamaica that isn't "touristy" but I think that's true for almost everywhere you go. If you stick to excursions and tours you should have an AMAZING time.
Def. walk the falls - it was one of the most incredible experiences ever. It was SO cool! And they have the best coffee ever! Bring tons home with you if you're coffee drinkers. ;)
I would look on tripadvisor in their forums, they have a lot of good advice safety in particular areas. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon but not to where you're going, we went to the east coast, which isn't very touristy and it was very safe.
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We've already booked our honeymoon in Ocho Rios Jamacia through sandals and I'm really excited about going!! But a lot of people keep telling me how dangerous it is and it's kind of ruining it for me.
Anyone been who has some feedback?