I've booked my trip to Jamaica but have since broken off with my man. Confused and unsure... do I cancel my trip or go single and have a great time with sun and dancing? Anyone know how safe it is for
I've booked my trip to Jamaica but have since broken off with my man. Confused and unsure... do I cancel my trip or go single and have a great time with sun and dancing? Anyone know how safe it is for a single woman in Ocho Rios, Jamaica?
Have you considered inviting a friend, mother, cousin? I travel alone most of the time but if you're unsure think about bringing a companion. Someone you know would love to go along.
I have been to Jamaica many times, but not in recent years. I had a couple of "unfortunate" experiences there and will not
return. They are not "tourist friendly." I would say: "Go, if you must, but travel with a friend." Ask a girlfriend to accompany you and the two of you may not have a bad experience. (no guarantee on this). Beware of men selling GANJA -- pot. You can be arrested and also when those wandering children come up and ask for money give them a few coins. There are far better Caribbean islands to visit. Do not believe Jamica's ads on Tv.
I've been to Ocho twice in the past 3 years. We stayed at 5 star all-inclusives located on secluded beaches. I felt safe at all times when on the resort and when we went off the resort with others on group trips. We did not venture off on our own. I would ask a travel agent for their advice.
I personally wouldn't be going there alone. I visited Ocho Rios once a week for two separate 5 month contracts & several 1 week trips (I was employed for a cruise line for 8 years). I didn't like going ashore there by myself as I'd constantly get hassled by guys for sex (& I'm heavyset) or to buy drugs (I've never used any illegal narcotics in my life & have no plans to ever do so. I'd be very careful there if you are a drug user. The Caribbean laws in regards to drug use, sales etc. tends to be more stringent than USA or Canadian laws I believe & if you're caught with stuff it can be very problematic for people. I was subject to surprise searches boarding & disembarking boats etc. sometimes). Anyway, I eventually started dating a very athletic, fit looking man (over 6', the 'abs of steel' body etc.). We'd walk around holding hands & I'd still get crap from the locals (e.g. one of them once yelled across the street about giving him oral sex while I was walking with my boyfriend). The sellers can be very aggressive over there. I guess it's the same with many places in the Caribbean, Latin America etc. but I personally don't like getting followed so closely & spoken to so pushily. My favourite part of the day when the ships were in Ocho Rios were the end of it when I'd jump in the jacuzzi on the ship pulling away from the area at sunset. I spoke to my friends about my feelings and some of them told me they didn't even bother going ashore anymore. That said, these are just my personal experiences. I know a lot of people that LOVE Jamaica (gorgeous area, fun, laidback people, awesome music etc.) & I also think it probably changes dramatically if you're staying in a resort etc. Myself, I think if you're not staying in an all-inclusive resort you might be better off trying to take a friend with you or selling your ticket. If you are staying in a resort then I hope you consider going & having a fantastic time as a solo traveller. Sometimes being alone can make travelling the most fun e.g. it's easiest to meet lots of new, wonderful people or do exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it etc. Just use some common sense to help you stay safe & then have the time of your life! Best of luck with your decision!
My husband and I have been traveling to Jamaica for 23 years, and never encountered any problems. We always stay at the Royal DeCameron Montego Bay (5 minutes from the airport). We have a driver who is like family to us that we have used for the past 21 years. He is a minister on Sundays, and is a certified Juta driver, that owns his own 28 passenger bus. We have traveled all over the island and probably done everything there is to do and we feel as though it is our home away from home. Jamaica is a 3 world country and very poor. There are bad areas in every city, town, etc. all over the world, but you just avoid going to those areas. Kingston is where a lot of the crime is, and we have been there only once and don't intend on going back. There are always a lot of single women that stay in the Royal DeCameron everytime we are there, so you wouldn't have a problem finding some women to hangout with. Please feel free to contact me and I will give you information on what to take, my driver's name and phone number and tips to avoid confrontation. We have traveled to many different islands, but still love Jamaica the best.
If you are staying at an all-inclusive, you won't have a problem on the resort. Jamaicans are friendly people and just because a man speaks to you doesn't necessarily mean he is trying to pick you up. I have gone with another woman and not had a problem even going into Montego Bay restaurants. If you go to markets or downtown, people are approaching you because they want to show you their wares and sell things to you and that can be a little scary. I would avoid going to clubs etc. Enjoy the sun and the wonderful food, music and people of Jamaica.
Kathy Riley is very lucky to have found a good friend in her Jamaican driver. I have the same type relationship with a guide/driver in Keyna. I trust him, his family and his recommendations with my life. But I agee 100% with N Foreman & Gypsy Heart. Do not go to Jamaica alone. In '89 my travel agent warned me not to go alone and she was right-very pushy, desperate people/country, will follow you till you buy or you become angry. You cannot stop to browse or admire anything without being bombarded by others selling the same items or that have another shop, they want you to promise to come to their shop and will follow you till you do Have been 3 times since on cruises with same bad experiences-my 21 yr old grand-daughters were hassled and became frightened while we were shopping (with JUTA driver). I now avoid cruises with stops in Jamaica or stay on ship while in port. Had same unpleasant experiences in both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Be safe, don't go-even 2 women traveling alone there is a hassle. The "shock & awe" of the onslaught of vendors/street sellers, people running out is the roads to stop your car is so overwhelming that you could make a bad decision and be taken advantage of financially/physically. It makes for a very unpleasant visit. If you are staying at an all-inclusive and stay on the grounds you are ok, but if you take excursions you will still be hassled and didn't you go there to enjoy the beautiful countryside as well? The people there make it pretty difficult to enjoy peacefully. As mentioned previously, there are plenty of other beautiful islands in the Caribbean to visit. And hooray for thinking about travelling alone. I have traveled extensively alone since 1980 and have had far more pleasant experiences than not. Traveling with companions/friends is also fun.
Not only would I not go to Jamaica single, I wouldn't go period!!!!! My husband and I were robbed by a taxi driver, hassled by locals trying to sell every kind of drug you could think of, and told by people we had to give them money if they were in a picture we took at a market. Too bad some of these people spoil it for the honest, hard working people who live there. I wouldn't even go to an all inclusive resort because I like to go out once in a while but not in Jamaica!!!!!
Have to agree with the majority, stay away from Jamacia! My husband & I have worked in NYC, NY for years and never felt as unsafe as we did in Jamacia. The people are incredibly pushy & they tried to trick us into buying drug paraphanalia at Dunn's River Falls, even though we're in our 50s! They hear you mention you companion's name & then they write it on a pipe & tell you that you have to by it. I even wrote to the major cruise line we were on telling them what happened & that we would not cruise to Jamacia ever again. Costa Rica, Belize, St. Thomas Puerto Rico & Bermuda were a lot nicer & are very beautiful Caribbean locations. I also would not take any of my female relatives there after seeing how the young girls on our crusie (who were with their parents) were harrased. We were afaid for them & we didn't even know them!!
Nancy South is right. We feel very lucky to have a driver we can trust in Montego Bay. We have seen and done things that tourists would never get to do because of Percy and his wonderful family. We go to church with them and they have us for dinner after church(authentic Jamacian food), play board games, and pick fresh fruit from their fruit trees to take back to the hotel. Percy always escorts my husband and I or the people that are with us on his bus to the ATM's or even waits for passengers outside the bank door and walks them back to the bus. We have stayed in several places around Montego Bay, Negril, Port Antonio and the Black River, and the hotels are okay, but we prefer the Royal DeCameron in Montego Bay which is all inclusive, and a great price compared to all the other places. We have made many friends in Montego Bay, which always take us out to dinner and also have us over to their beautiful homes. I feel very safe in Jamaica, especially when we are with Percy. We will continue to go to Jamaica for 2 weeks every year, until we get too old to go. There are so many beautiful places in Jamaica that are not publicized. Like I said, we have been on cruises to more than 12 different islands, and many are very beautiful, but Jamaica is very special to us. We also have 2 other sets of friends that live in our town, and they both feel the same way we do about Jamaica.
I would go alone & have to Negril before & as recent as January 2012. Yes some Jamaicans are aggressive in trying to sell crafts or drugs but a polite No Thank You usually works but unfortunately the economy in Jamaica has gotten worse so some people are more pushy than others. I would say use common sense in travelling about your surroundings, same as at home. It is more fun if you could take another along with you because it's more fun to have dining companion or someone to talk with in general. If you are staying at an A-I hotel you are perfectly safe. If you go to craft markets, then vendors will all try to sell you stuff as they need the money. Barter anything you buy, make them quote price & cut in half, they will eventually accept less if they can still make money & want the sale. I usually price shop 1st & tell them I will buy near end of week's stay & not before. There are lots of sites for people who enjoy & travel frequently to JA & I would encourage them to find a driver that is trustworthy & won't scare you with crazy driving skills. Jamericans.net or Negril.com & you can get to know others who love this island as I do...
Most people who visit Jamaica take the resort shuttle from the airport to the resort, and rarely, if ever, leave the resort. If they do, it is usually part of a tour offered by the resort. It is not the sort of country where most people want to walk around and mingle with the locals. There is a lot of poverty, a lot of violence, and a lot of overall crime. If you are going to a resort which is known to have other singles, you should go and have fun, maybe make some friends. I would not recommend you wander the streets of Ocho Rios by yourself. If you are worried about being alone in a resort, then definitely invite a friend/relative.
Man these comments are making me lol. In regards to Ocho Rios: Yes, the vendors are very aggressive. Yes, you will be offered drugs as soon as you get there. Yes, men will bombard you at every turn. If you're up for an adventure, are assertive/confident, and have thick skin then go solo. You'll have some great stories to tell.
FYI, I found the people in Negril to be much more subdued than in Ochi.
I have never been to Ocho Rios, but I do hear that the vendors are very pushy. I have stayed in Negril on three separate occasions with my wife and have never experienced any problems (we have left the resort on foot on each trip and walked the beach for miles). Jamaica is a beautiful country with very nice people.
Last time in Ocho Rios some acquaintances were "kidnapped' and robbed by their drivers. I will never go back there. If you must go alone, go directly to the resort and stay there. Do NOT venture out alone in Jamaica. It is a dangerous place.
I've been to Ocho Rios both by staying in an all-inclusive resort and as a cruise passenger. While staying at the resort, I felt perfectly safe, however, even in the secluded resort the Ganja was ever present. I've never done an illegal drug in my life and never intend to do so, but I was a little surprised to come across it so often in the resort area. While on a shore excursion from our cruise ship, we were hassled rather badly, and can honestly say that I was afraid. I personally will never return to Jamaica unless I plan on staying at a resort without venturing out. I've known many people though who love Jamaica and even a fellow female co-worker of mine frequents Jamaica alone...to each his own. I've travelled to large cities throughout the world , but have never felt as unsafe as I did in Jamaica. Good luck!
