Jamaica Local Customs

  Hansi & His Pina Coladas
by LoriPori
 
  • Hansi & His Pina Coladas
      Hansi & His Pina Coladas
    by LoriPori
  • Lobby Bar
      Lobby Bar
    by LoriPori
  • Barefoot Bar & Grill
      Barefoot Bar & Grill
    by LoriPori
  • Barefoot Bar & Grill
      Barefoot Bar & Grill
    by LoriPori
  • Jerk Hut & Bar
      Jerk Hut & Bar
    by LoriPori
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Ackee with Salt fish

by ultchuk

This looks like brains but it's a part of the national Jamaican cuisine. This Ackee fruit is pear shaped, bright red to yellow-orange, and when ripe, splits open to reveal large black seeds, surrounded by soft, yellow flesh. The fruit of the Ackee is not edible. It is only the fleshy parts around the seeds that are edible. The remainder of the fruit is poisonous The taste and look is a bit similar to scrambled eggs. Ackee together with salt cod fish is the national dish of Jamaica.

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about the weather

by venteeocho

Our favorite time (and everyone else's) is November-April -- Jamaica can be very crowded then. The temperature is fairly stable year-round, so it's possible to visit in other months as well. Winter coastal-area day temperatures are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C. June-September is usually in the 80s-90s F/30-35 C. Nights tend to be 5-10 F/3-5 C degrees cooler everywhere. Temperatures in the hills and mountains are usually cooler than on the coasts by 5-10 F/3-5 C degrees -- bring a sweater for cool nights in the mountains. Kingston, on the leeward (southern) side of the island, is drier, hotter and generally more uncomfortable than the windward (northern) shore. Always be prepared for rain showers in the Blue Mountains. The hottest time is July-October, when the humidity, heat and hurricane possibilities are the highest. Most rain falls between May and October, but even then, it generally...

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Jamaicans are friendly.

by tpangelinan

Jamaicans are imported themselves, so they say you only have to be in Jamaica for 5 minutes to be a 'real Jamaican'. The friends we met liked to hear stories about traveling all over, as it is very hard and costly for a VISA (travel permission) for Jamaican residents.

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Christmas in Jamaica

by asgottl

Christmas is a magical time on the island. At midnight on Christmas Eve, the community gathers in the square, sings Christmas carols, and hands out presents to the children. It's a time for love and sharing.

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Jamaica is...friendship

by Joan58

In Jamaica people are friendly, but just little detached at first sight. Maybe they have their troubles, maybe I am Italian and can't speak English well. But this is just my first impression, because if you are nice to everyone, you can meet a lot of friends.

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Jamaica is...Rasta

by Joan58

Jamaica is Rasta. Here people are proud of their African roots. Rasta religion believes Ethiopia is the land of origin. Rastamen call it Zion and the rest of the world is Babylon. The beard is a symbol of their agreement with Jah, the dreadlocks are the symbol of lion's mane and the Holy Bible is their source of knowledge. Their moral principles go by fraternity and universal love. They live in close contact with the nature, eat only natural food, don't aspire to have material goods except what is necessary.

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Some people may try to befriend you!!!

by rachel_sun

Some people may try to befriend you to get money off you,but some people are genuine and friendly.Restaurants add service charge to the bill mostly,but if you are unsure if they have,ask them.Tipping of tour guides is appreciated.Do ask to take a picture of someone beforehand. Here i am trying to fly the plane

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Leave that Red Pen at Home

by mdchachi

Don't write on forms with a red pen! The customs official told us it was rude to do so in Jamaica and made us rewrite our entrance forms.Generally when a tip is expected they'll make it clear that they're expecting one. There was no tipping on our resort but we tipped baggage handlers, drivers and tour guides. I never found out whether or not these service-industry folks make a living wage or really need tips but I still tipped small (refused the porters help with the bags at the airport, etc.) since I'm a cheapskate. One baggage handler (who didn't actually do that much) went around the bus extorting money out of each passenger, at least $1 per person. I hope he shared it with the other guys who were working as hard as he.

More birds

by bkathryn

I couldn't decide whether to put these 'wildlife' pictures in as 'cultural' or 'off the beaten path' - I decided cultural. We spotted this large white water bird - probably some kind of stork or heron - in Falmouth.

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Birthplace of Marcus Garvey

by bkathryn

On the way back to MoBay from Ocho Rios, we stopped in St. Ann's Bay - the birthplace of Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), one of Jamaica's heroes. Marcus Garvey was a Black Nationalist, a Pan-Africanist and the father of contemporary Black Nationalism. I knew his name from a reggae song so we stopped to have a look.

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Top 3 Hotels in Jamaica

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... 

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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... 

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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... 

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The Place

Reviews and photos of Jamaica attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jamaica sightseeing.

Experience Jamaica
 

Questions and Answers

darsunt profile photo

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... 

Agraichen profile photo

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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