Trip Recap: Jamaica

“Twenty or thirty years from now, I’m going to be on a beach in Jamaica.”

– Idris Elba

Welcome to Jamrock

Known for its beautiful beaches, rugged mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, and authentic Caribbean hospitality, Jamaica is my favorite island of the Caribbean for good vibes and good times. Reggae, rum, white sand beaches and delicious food? “Yah man, no problem!”

Ocho Rios aka “Ochi”

My first visit to Jamaica was part of a cruise in 2014 (the second and last cruise I’ll ever take unless it’s free). We docked in Ocho Rios. Unlike its popular neighbors to the West, Montego Bay and Negril, Ocho Rios is known for its waterfalls, gardens, and rivers rather than its beaches. We did the highly recommended Dunn’s River Falls excursion. After the activity, we went to a private beach. I remember it rained and we were taking shots of rum in the rain, eating, dancing and having a great time. The people were so friendly and full of life. The food was so delicious. The vibes were immaculate. I knew I had to go back and explore more of the beautiful island of Jamaica.

Montego Bay aka “MoBay”

Montego Bay is the most traveled to city in Jamaica. It’s a tourist hot-spot with an overwhelming amount of all-inclusive resorts and hotels. It is where cruise ships dock and most international flights land. The location is very convenient with it being in between Ocho Rios and Negril, making it a great place to stay and go on day trips. I visited in late November into early December and the weather was perfect; 80 degrees and sunny the whole time.

Where I stayed: Riu Reggae

There are many resorts and hotels you can stay in Montego, Bay. I booked a last minute stay at the adults-only resort RIU Reggae through Cheap Caribbean. Although, I’m not the biggest fan of all-inclusive resorts, I tend to stay at them often when I travel alone for safety and convenience reasons. My number one rule though is: leave the resort and explore the actual country.

Objective overview:

Hotel Riu Reggae is an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort in Montego Bay. It’s conveniently located 10 minutes away from Sangster International Airport and is in between Riu Palace Jamaica (pricier) and Riu Montego Bay (stronger party vibe). Guests of Riu Reggae have non-reciprocal access to the latter. It has three infinity pools and two swim-up bars. There are five restaurants, including the main buffet and four specialty restaurants (Caribbean, Italian, Asian, and a steakhouse). There is also a poolside jerk hut in the afternoon. There are daily activities, a gym, spa, non-motorized sports, and nightly entertainment (themed shows and live music). There are weekly pool parties and access to the nightclub Pacha at Riu Montego (both currently may not be available due to Covid-19).

Personal experience:

I was lucky to visit prior to the pandemic so I was able to participate in the pool parties and activities (which is where I met most of the hotel guests) and go to the nightclub (hit or miss depending on the crowd and my level of intoxication – good music though). I was always out during the day so I never got any food from the jerk hut, which I’m upset about while I type this. I didn’t particularly love the food. I’m not a big fan of buffets. The specialty restaurants I went to (the Italian and Caribbean) were just alright. I definitely had the best food of the trip off the resort. I do love the liquor dispensers in the hotel room; convenient for when you want to drink and not leave your room. The lack of room service didn’t really bother me at the time, but I can see it being a big con for some during the Covid era where so many amenities are already lacking. The price you pay for traveling in a pandemic though *shrugs.* The distance from the hotel was super convenient, especially for people like me who tend to stretch their time on vacation to the last possible minute. I probably wouldn’t stay there again, but overall I enjoyed my time there. The staff was truly the best part of my experience there. Jamaicans are the best.

Resort Review Summary

TL; DR (too long, don’t read) You’ll see this often, because I write and talk a lot. Here’s the rundown:

Pros:

• Near the airport
• Adults only (no offense to kids, but I don’t want to be around them on vacation)
• Mini bar in the room
• A lot of food options (even if they aren’t that great)
• Daily and nightly activities
• Access to Riu Montego Bay next door
• Free wifi
• The loveliest staff – true gems

Cons:

• Food is mediocre
• No room service
• Rooms are average

Day 1: Resort Day

I arranged my airport transfer through Amstar. Someone greeted me at the airport with a sign with my name on it. I had the car to myself. They brought me to the resort where someone greeted me with a welcome drink. Check-in was smooth. My room was available; however there was an issue with my lock. Someone came to fix it. Meanwhile, the guy who brought my bags up talked to me while making us drinks in my mini-bar (professional? no. safe? also, no). I changed into swimwear and went to the beach. Moved to one of the pools and chatted with an unremarkable couple. The conversation and everything about them escapes me. I went to the swim-up bar in the pool and mingled with this rowdy group that was definitely on my flight from New York. They were fun and very loud. We had a few shots and then I met with my Amstar person to set up my airport transfer and excursions. Her name was Christy and she was a sweetheart. I was pretty drunk and she was very patient. I set up an activity for the next day and continued to drink with strangers until it was time to get ready for dinner. For dinner, I went to the buffet, which was disappointing. Everything on my plate was mediocre. I had to leave early the next day for my activity and was tired from traveling so I called it a night after dinner. I truly don’t understand how people don’t leave the resort, because I couldn’t do that for more than one day.

Sandy Bay Village: Adventure Time

CHUKKA Ocean Outpost

Sandy Bay is a seaside village in between Montego Bay and Negril. This is where CHUKKA Ocean outpost, a nature adventure park is located. Here you can go on a catamaran cruise with power snorkeling, ride ATVs, ride horses into the ocean, and more. There are packages you can purchase to mix and match your activities. I had purchased a package at my resort through Amstar. You can book directly with them, but it will cost you more. I chose all the aforementioned activities. Definitely something worth doing if you’re staying in either Montego Bay or Negril. They have another location, CHUKKA Island Village, in Ocho Ríos.

Day 2: Excursion Day

Got picked up at the resort in the morning and went to Chukka Ocean Outpost in Sandy Bay. I was scheduled to go horseback riding and ATVing first then do the catamaran ride, however there was nobody else going at that time and since I was traveling solo they weren’t going to take just me out. I was given the option to do my activities and get a refund for the boat or go on the boat earlier and come back to do the rest of the activities another day. I went with option B. Another one of my rules: if it’s warm and there’s water, always go on a boat. The catamaran ride was fun. We went power snorkeling. The one thing we were told is to make sure our hair was tied up, because if it got caught they’d have no choice, but to cut it off. Guess whose hair got caught? Yup. Me. I was very lucky though. Someone was able to pull it out without having to cut it. Shoutout to that man wherever he is. After the staff danced with people on the boat while I drank rum punch. We then went to the outpost for lunch where they gave us jerk chicken and festival and of course more rum punch. It was a good time. I met some American travelers, including two girls that I had interacted with the day before at the resort. They were strippers. Good times. One of them gave my number to the cute worker on the boat (didn’t tell her to). He didn’t leave me alone the whole trip and even when I went home. He was really trying to be on the next season of 90-day fiancé, but I wasn’t about it.

Back at the resort, I saw my fellow New Yorkers in the pool turning up and joined. Like the staff member who fed me drinks in my room the first day told me, “what happens in Jamaica, stays there.” I’ll spare the details. We ended up getting kicked out of the pool and went to the beach. After I had another lackluster dinner at the buffet and went to bed. This trip was for my 30th birthday and I realized I could not longer hang since this was the second night in a row I didn’t go out.

Day 2: Excursion Day Pt. 2

I went back to CHUKKA Ocean Outpost to do the rest of my activities the next day. First we went ATV riding through the grounds which was fun. We stopped and took in the #views. One of the staff members took photos for me from my phone and made conversation which was nice since I was solo and the other riders were a couple and group of close friends. After that I went horseback riding and then we went into the water which was fun, but it seemed to be really strenous for the horses, so I felt kind of bad. It was short though. One of those things you can say you did, but probably won’t do again.

Back at the resort, I attended one of the resort shows. It was lion king themed, I think. There was a hot guy with his shirt off as the King and that’s pretty much the only reason I stayed for longer than 10 minutes. After, I went to Pacha, the nightclub at Riu Montego with the New York squad. It was a good time. I was proud of myself for actually making it out after another long day of activities.

Day 3: Jamaica Tour Day

I’ve traveled enough to know that there are other excursion options besides the overpriced ones that you book with your airport transfer company so I took a look at Airbnb and books one of their experiences. It was a tour and seemed interesting. My driver picked me up and told me that the only other two people who signed up canceled their booking so it was just him and I. At this point, this was the theme of the trip so I just rolled with it. He was really nice and I had a feeling it was still going to be a good time. Here’s where we went:

Sam Sharpe Square

Sam Sharpe Square is located in downtown Montego Bay. It was originally called Charles Square, but was renamed in honor of the Jamaican anti-slavery campaigner Sam Sharpe. The main attractions are the National Heroes Monument and the Montego Bay Museum. There are also restaurants and shops. My tour guide informed me that residents of Montego Bay used P.O. boxes. Only the upper class have personal mailboxes which I thought was interesting. I also, obviously, had to stop for a beef patty. I went to Juici Patties which is definitely the Golden Krust of Jamaica.

Fort Charlotte

We went to Fort Charlotte. Honestly, click on the link for details. It’s too historical for me to get into, but it’s also a good spot for photos (see above).

Half Moon Beach

Next stop was Half Moon Beach, a private beach. I relaxed on the beach in a hammock before going to Calico Jack’s Pirate Island. While there I had lunch (escovitch fish) and chatted with the guy who brought me there since nobody else was there. It was a relaxing experience.

Margaritaville Negril

The next stop was Margaritaville in Negril. There is another location in Montego Bay which is popular, but I didn’t go there during my trip. It has a huge waterslide and trampoline in the ocean. Definitely would check it out next time. This location is located on the beautiful 7 mile beach. I went for a swim and had a cocktail with some friendly Canadians then it was off to the last stop.

Rick’s Cafe

A super touristy, yet super fun experience is going to Rick’s Cafe in Negril. It’s a restaurant and bar with on a 35 foot cliff and has a gorgeous sunset view. With liquid courage and/or pure adrenaline, guests jump off the cliff. I chose to spectate rather than participate, but the vibes were great. There was music playing and the views were gorgeous. I wouldn’t go there to sit and eat as I’ve heard and could tell the service wasn’t the best, but I was hungry and got a burger. I don’t believe in pineapple on pizza, but pineapple on a burger was pretty good. The place isn’t cheap which is to be expected at a touristy spot. The sunset view was absolutely beautiful. It was a really good time and the perfect way to end the tour.

Headed back to the resort. My room had been made and they and hung around the lounge bar and went to the nightclub and made a friend…for the night. Aye. What happens in Jamaica lol. Just kidding (in case my mom reads this).

Spent the last full day at the resort. With the money you spend I do believe you should enjoy what you pay for. I woke up early and watch the sunrise on the beach then had breakfast. I had many questionable buffet meals at the resort, but breakfast was always fine. After, I went to the beach then had lunch. The jerk chicken they served at the buffet was unacceptable. Buffet food or not, it’s Jamaica. Even at its worse it should still be decent. Anyway, after that I pretty much chilled by the pool all day and drank about 45 rum and cokes. The staff had games by the pool and had a competition where people held two large jugs and whoever held out the longest won. Since it was my last night, I decided to finally check out the specialty restaurants with my friends for the day. We went to the Italian one. The appetizers were served buffet style *eye roll* The entrees were eh. After that I went to Kulinarium, the gourmet Caribbean restaurant. It was a little bit of a try-hard, but I liked the oxtail ravioli and the chocolate dessert I ordered. The nightly entertainment was Grease like show. Interesting to see casted by Jamaica. I was starting to fall asleep so I went to nightclub for a little then called it a night.

Day 5: Departure Day

Last day followed a similar schedule to the one before it. Breakfast, beach, pool, but after that it was time to bounce. My flight was at 2:30 p.m., but my airport pick-up was at 11:30 a.m. Mind you the airport is 10 minutes away. A bus picked several of us up and when we arrived to the airport, I still had a lot of time to kill. The bus driver and airport transfer guide said that it doesn’t take long to get through security and asked if I had a red stripe yet. I realized I had not and even though I’m not really a beer drinker, it’s Jamaica; you have to. So they took me to get one (just me alone, yes I’m too trusting). Like every tour guide I had, they offered to take pics of me and of course I said yes and then they brought me back to the airport and I got greasy, overpriced airport food and departed beautiful Jamaica. The end.