Top Jamaica hotels
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When leaving Jamaica you need to pay a departure tax of ?10 Sterling Pounds or 1000 Jamaican Dollars or 18 US Dollars.Make sure you have this before you get to the airport as i didnt have any cash and all the ATM Machines were out of order at the time (How convienient) and i had to borrow this off a friend.The departure tax is paid at check in when you hand in your luggage and flight tickets.
Rasta is a religion, true rastaman belives in his holiness Bob Marley and the God in earth the Ethiopian emperor Aile Selassie. Marijuana is a way to join spiritual experiences like the shamans use of herbs. You have to respect their way to live and they respect you.
Jamaicans are a very friendly and hospitable poeple and shake hands an awful lot more than we in Britain do. It seems quite normal to shake hands with someone you were working with the day before. This is where the problem arises. A simple handshake in the European or American style is seldom enough, and there are all sorts of variations.The general way seems to be to start with a normal handshake, then straight into a "surfers / musicians" grip and then into an interlinking of the four fingers. There are also several variations of touching the knuckles of a clenched fist, normally accompanied by the ubiquitous "respeck" (respect ) comment. Don't worry if, like me, you make a complete mess of it repeatedly. Nobody minds. just smile and everything will be "Irie" (brilliant).
In 1654 the control of Jamaica was taken by the English from the Spanish. After the English failed to take Hispaniola from the Spanish (present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), they turned to weakly defended Jamaica and the Spanish sailed off to Cuba. Jamaica's independence from Britian is August 6, 1962 and Independence Day is celebrated on the first Monday in August.Jamaica's British Heritage can still be seen in the names of many of the 14 parishes and cities throughout Jamaica, they drive on the left side of the road, English is the official language and the top sports are cricket and football (soccer).
Rastafari & Jamaican Culture Rastafarians pushed Reggae music to the forefront when Bob Marley became an internationally known artist. LanguageMiss Lou was one of the early pioneers trying to preserve Jamaican culture especially 'patois'. Jamaican patios is now sprinkled with 'rasta' terminology. The Rastafarian culture has helped to galvanize the use of Jamaican patois as a means to rebel against a society where the dialect is sometimes looked upon as being "un-cultured". The use of the word "I" and 'I-an-I" is sprinkled across Rastafarian terminolgy and has its roots in the self emphasis which many black people were denied during oppression and slavery. The use of the word Jah (Psalm 68 vs 4) for God which is used by Rastafarians is now used by many Jamaicans. Other examples are the use of the word "babylon" for any type of establishment and "Idren" for children.Red, Green and Gold...
In Jamaica, when anyone provides a service to you like loading your bags, driving you to your destination, or whatever, it is customary to tip. Usually about 2-3 US Dollars will suffice, so be sure you bring many US1 dollar bills. Try not to give someone a 5 and expect 2 or 3 dollars back. For some reason, they do not understand the process of giving you 2 dollars back in exchange for a 5. It is just easier and less frustrating that way. Another note: Try not to be too intimidated, but they expect a tip for everything. Be forewarned, they have a tendency to demand tips. I asked a baggage handler there where the line was for American Airlines. He showed me then asked for a tip. I gave him a dollar and he got angry.
You just have to remeber one rule - respect the people there no matter what they are - this is the only way to be treated good in return too. If you go there you will see for yourself what I have in mind by saying this.....
We've noticed many partially finished houses as we've traveled through Jamaica. Various guides have explained that the interest rates are very high in Jamaica (as much as 70%) so people save up and then add onto their houses when they can afford to.
Our guide pointed out that dogs in Jamaica are all brown, some small, some large but I don't think I saw a non brown dog the entire trip.This fella was hanging around Alligator Hole, I would have slipped him in my bag if I thought I could smuggle him through customs
We were struck by the kids going to school in immaculate school uniforms...Catholic schools. Wish I had better pics of them in larger groups. Couldn't understand how the mothers were managing so well...when they often had to be at work early in the AM .. working very long hours. Yet those uniforms were starched and pressed! You can see two of the kids in this pic if you enlarge photo.
Blue Cave Castle Negril
5 Reviews and 132 Opinions One of the most beautiful spots on the cliffs, Blue Cave Castle actually has its own cave, making it...
Couples Tower Isle Ocho Rios Ocho Rios
7 Reviews and 1157 Opinions We got married on the beach at the all inclusive Couples Tower Island on 10/2/10. I cannot say...
Round Hill Hotel & Villas Montego Bay
9 Reviews and 343 Opinions I got to stay one night (only one night boo!). We arrived at night and left after breakfast. I did...
Reviews and photos of Jamaica attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jamaica sightseeing.
More Regions in Jamaica
Q: We will be stopping at Ocho Rios for one day this January on a Carnival cruise. Do you guys have any ideas for using this short...
A: Well, you can do the touristy things like Duns Falls http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3e837/19dc08/ and swim with dolphins in pools or sit on the beach and if you can...
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