Jamaica Tourist Traps

  "Taino maiden", Outameni
by toonsarah
 
  •   "Taino maiden", Outameni
    by toonsarah
  • At Outameni - note colourful dancer!
      At Outameni - note colourful dancer!
    by toonsarah
  • BRAIDING.....worth it?
      BRAIDING.....worth it?
    by jennee80
  • Dunn's river falls - Jamaica
      Dunn's river falls - Jamaica
    by solopes
  • Dunn's river falls - Jamaica
      Dunn's river falls - Jamaica
    by solopes
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

The Craft Market...it's all the same

by coopergirl2003

You are not really encouraged to go out and explore on your own, so there are organised excursions for everything, including shopping...this trip visits about 3 areas, one of them is the craft market but to be honest...it's hard to tell the difference. Everyone is selling t-shirts, simple beaded jewellery, woodwork and offering to braid your hair, and are not always pleasant about you saying 'no thanks'. Visit the duty free shops, they're air conditioned and the staff are not too pushy or rude and do not physically grab you to look at their stock (even thought it's exactly the same as everyone elses and there's only so many t-shirts and wooden giraffes you can feign interest in!) Actually, the airport shops are really good (but a little expensive!) and worth the extra money as the staff are not dragging you into their pitch to have a look.

Raw Deals

by tinabina00

Jamaicans are all about making money - but who isn't? Make deals everywhere you go. If you don't think they gave you a good offer on ANYTHING, then tell them that you will go next door and see what they will give you, and watch them come WAY down on the price. Usually, if you name your price, they will be happy with it. Sometimes they throw in free items just for shopping with them. Now ladies...especially those with long hair, as I have long hair. You will constantly be yelled at "Gurl...let me braid your hair" - I went from 30 dollars all the way down to 5 dollars for someone to braid half of my hair. But still tipped the lady 20 dollars, only because she was so nice. My advice is to bargain, bargain, bargain - no matter what you buy or where you go!!!Be ware of the natives asking you to purchase "ganja" - if you don't know what it is...just know that it's ILEGAL in the United...

Craft markets..... more like crap markets

by jessmorg

The local craft markets.All the booths carry almost the exact same crafts and goods.Since this is regulated by the government there are only so many things the vendors can sell. be ready to be hassled to "have a look in here miss" after you just saw the exact same stuff in the last booth.i wouldnt suggest going unless you know that you really want to buy something there walk down the beach in negril... you will see similar goods but alot more handmade crafts and good people.

Shop Haggling

by Astrobuck

If you are with a tour guide, especially at Dunns River Falls, DO NOT go the way he tells you...it is a trap to send you back into a section of shops with very questionable people. If you want to get a couple of souveniers, it's OK to go, but if you don't feel safe or like haggling, do not go. Please, DO NOT GO ALONE! It's not as safe as you may think, and they will take advantage of you any way they can. Stick to your guns..if you think it is worth $3, don't give in. Tell them it's $3 or you walk. NEVER go alone!

Super Yacht San San - Nothing Super about it

by RyandT

Don't be fooled - the staff is rude, the boat is old and falling apart - and the trip to the falls is at best "inconvenient" Don't go on this tour - take another route to the falls Take the cool-runnings boat or another party boat, or just take a cab

Into the 'city'

by Girlie77

We thought we were going to be able to walk around where the locals shop but unforutnately they took us right to the tourist trap and we were bombarded with people asking us to buy stuff. It was stressful and we couldn't wait to leave! Take a limited amount of money. Learn how to say no and don't be pressured into buying something you don't need! Go somewhere and people watch. Bring water so you don't get dehydrated!

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Dunn's River Falls

by Rasta_Rob

Dunn's River Falls and craft market is a "must-see" stop on every cruise and package tour. The Falls are definitely worth a visit, but be prepared to be harassed (and ripped off) by aggressive vendors in the craft market. Y/S Falls near Black River (southwest coast) is much more tranquil and less touristy. If you do buy crafts in Jamaica, buy them anywhere BUT Dunn's River.

Jamaica at its best bus tour

by edwardh1

Avoid it.The snorkel part is 5 min from where they moor the boat. coral is dead. Dunns river is not that interesting. dolphincove is poorly run and laid out strangely.Tour bus guide will try to take you shoppinglate in the day (6PM) even tho the hotel says its a non shopping tour stay at your all inclusive

Montego Bay "Market"

by c-girl

The market we stopped by seemed very colorful and fun when we first saw it. Once we got in and started looking around, the vendors were VERY pushy, even going as far as offering illegal substances for sale! If you didn't buy their "stuff" whether legal or illegal....they would get mad and act very ugly. Scary! Make sure you don't go alone, and DON'T buy the illegal stuff! I think if you want to do some shopping here, go somewhere reputable....maybe the gift shop at Margaritaville or something similar.

Tip Photo
High pressure sales every where.

by tpangelinan

Just as every 'perfect' place has a con hiding somewhere, so does Jamaica. Wide spread poverty on this island has driven folks to some amazing lengths. To all the salesmen with small gift shops on surf boards, we salute you. This takes balance, skill, I have never seen anything like it. But, hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, so at least be polite. They will not care you are on vacation, that you paid a lot of money for a slice of peace and quiet. They are at home, and have kids who gotta eat tonight. Give the locals some cash, some respect, and they will take good care of you too. They really do like tourist there, they are the meat and potatoes of this island. There is no way around the sales pitches, stay behind resort walls and miss the essence of the island if you are a chicken. (Speaking of chicken, do not leave this island without eating some jerk chicken)!!!

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Top 3 Hotels in Jamaica

Blue Cave Castle  Negril

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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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