According to the Jamaica Board of Tourism, there are three things you can do when planning your trip to make it a knockout success.
While most Jamaicans are conversant in English, those in the less-traveled areas of the island more commonly speak Patois. Being slightly familiar with Patois or referring to a dictionary when you have a question will generate some very positive responses.
Jamaica offers a Meet the People Program through which you can hook up with a local who shares one of your specific interests or your profession. Your contact will know the island's less-publicized attractions which are likely to add the most to your vacation.
Experience the true flavor of Jamaica by stopping at several of the many roadside stands you're sure to pass. They sell everything from fresh produce to rum to handcrafted souvenirs, and with each purchase you'll get a free taste of authentic Jamaican culture.
Yes, gang violence exists in Jamaica, specifically around the capital city of Kingston. Does this mean you should plan to take your Jamaica vacation in one of its outstanding all-inclusive resorts and never set foot on the rest of the island?
In reality, the turf wars of Kingston are far less of a concern to Jamaican tourists than the possibility of having their purses snatched or their pockets picked. With a few common sense precautions, you should be perfectly safe.
Don't travel solo after dark, even for a stroll along your hotel's beach. Carry a minimal amount of cash and leave the valuable jewelry at home. Beware of overly friendly strangers, and don't drink to the point that your judgment can't spot one of them.
Once you've established safe limits for your Jamaican travel plans, it's time to decide which of the island's features to enjoy. An all-inclusive resort will have the beach, pool complexes, water sports equipment, spa, shops and restaurants to keep you active and well-fed. There are also golf, clubbing and gallops along the beaches.
If you want something different, however, here are a couple of ideas:
Bull Bay, about nine miles southeast of Kingston, is known for its local color, most vibrant at night when the clubs along its shore come to life. Take the Seven Mile turnoff from A4, about two miles west of Bull Bay, any you'll find Cane River Falls Park.
The Falls remain one of Jamaica's undiscovered delights, perhaps because they are accessible only on foot via a 101-step walkway. Bob Marley was so enamored of them that they made it into the opening line of his song "Trench Town."
Bath, in the southeastern parish of St. Thomas, was established during the early 18th century around its warm (115 degrees Fahrenheit to 130 degrees Fahrenheit) mineral springs. St. Thomas is not one of the island's tourism hot spots, and Bath is a spa most frequented by the Jamaicans themselves.
The high concentration of sulfates in the water seems to benefit both skin and rheumatic conditions. The Bath Botanical Gardens are the second-oldest in the Western Hemisphere, with many of their original plantings transported to Jamaica by Captain William Bligh of HMS Bounty fame. Some descendants of those plants still survive.
The Jamaica Board of Tourism has several more suggestions for less-known attractions to visit.
Tourism is the economic lifeblood of Jamaica, and outside of your resort you can expect to encounter extreme poverty. Most Jamaicans, however, seem to take their difficulties in stride and approach life with surprisingly joyful spirits.
As you explore the Island, you may be approached by locals selling everything from fresh produce and beverages to hair braids. Very infrequently, locals have hard drugs for sale.
If you firmly but respectfully decline the offers, most of the vendors will back off. They are simply doing their best in tough economic circumstances. With a couple of "No thanks, not interested" you'll discourage the unwanted offers.
