Honeymoon booked. Flights booked. Insurance paid (thank you to the forum for several threads about travel insurance).

We went with Sandals Ocho Rios. Got what seems like a good price, direct flights. I plan to eat, drink, and do fun stuff for the 5 days we will be there. In stupid excess.

Any recommendations from those who have been? I know the obvious "don't get robbed or macheted".

Any items beyond the obvious (or including the obvious to you...because it may not be obvious to me) I would want to make sure not to forget, that would either be unobtainable or stupid expensive at the gift shop?

And will my arm get chopped off if my watch is shiny? I'm not talking super fancy watch...but my Marathon GSAR on its stainless steel bracelet would be my first choice. I want something that won't mind being wet, as I plan on being in the water, and that I can depend on, but won't be likely to get me robbed if I get 'adventurous'. I have other choices that are just as water resistant but not as noticeable (Seiko 007 & Citizen Diver would probably be my 2 other 'least likely to get my arm chopped off' best water resistance choices, though both are still kinda shiny but on ZULU bands). But that Marathon is the one I want to wear.

First world problems...

And can a tourist have a small pocket knife in Jamaica? Internet searches bring mixed responses. Something as simple as a small Swiss Army Knife? Or maybe even a Gerber tool? I remember being lost after midnight, beyond the tin shack shantys, in Cancun in 2005 or so on my only other out of country trip...alone...with nothing but my stupidity protecting me from the world.

I'm looking forward to some good times! If my fiancee doesn't stab me from the stress before Sunday! lol

And a special Thank You to Dave for an absolutely gorgeous engagement ring and perfect wedding band. People say words aren't enough all the time, but that's the truth when it comes to Dave. People just don't get any better!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chongosuerte,

I got married in Jamaica.



I just pray to God that my wife doesn't find out.

I believe IslandBoy (?) is Jamaican. Based on what I know from folks who have been (and also live there), you'll be fine as long as you don't leave your resort. That's pretty much it.

My parents honeymooned there and even then it was getting a little "interesting" outside of the hotel property.

-Rob

Congrats, Chongo. Well deserved. Best wishes to you and the new bride.

We did Ocho Rios for honeymoon too.

Only thing that startled us was dudes grabbing our bags when we left the airport. They run up and basically steal your shit and then "carry it to the car" for you and ask for a tip to get your stuff back...

Hang on to all your stuff until you're inside the resort.

My sister got married in Jamaica, they had a great time.

I got married at the Sans Souci, great place great time. Stay away from Ocho Rios, typical duty free place, my Bnlaw got pick pocketed one night going to a mini concert outside of the resort. Go see the falls,it was ok, tourist destination. If Sandals is as good as Sans Souci you don't have to leave the resort. As soon as you hit the airport they will try to sell you grass, even had a row boat come out to us when we were snorkeling and treading water offering to sell the crap, was a little worrisome but they left us alone. Otherwise enjoy,Blue Mountain coffee is great. BE very careful that you use sun protection, I got toasted in one day and it almost ruined it for me.

It's been over 20 years ago, but the Sandals we went to was pretty good. Good food, free drinks... Some of the restaurants on the resort required a reservation.


I learned that drinking a pina colada for breakfast made me want to take a nap .


They have lots of activities scheduled throughout the day if you're into that kind of thing. We mostly kept to ourselves, enjoyed the beach. Snorkeling was fun, and a couple of off resort tours (Dunns River Falls was a backdrop to a TV series that was on at that time).

The resort area is very safe - they run off any locals who stray onto the resort right quick.


I recall the tourist areas were pretty heavily patrolled as well - stay with a group. Watch for pick pockets. The normal stuff.


I had asked the bus driver what the random poles were on the side of the road we were on - he replied "Dose are wing breakers mon" apparently to discourage small drug running planes from landing on the roads.


Oh - and they drive like crazy over there...


ETA: I forgot about this: "Only thing that startled us was dudes grabbing our bags when we left the airport. They run up and basically steal your shit and then "carry it to the car" for you and ask for a tip to get your stuff back..."

I'd go back again - have fun!

Regarding what watch to wear ...

It's your honeymoon / vacation. Don't wear a watch and don't worry about the time. When you are hungry, eat. When it gets dark, sleep. When you feel frisky, ... well, you get the idea.

I'd go buy a cheap digital watch to wear. That's just me, though. At the end of your visit you can give it to a deserving Jamaican.

Have fun.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: arfmel,

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I'd go buy a cheap digital watch to wear. That's just me, though.

Have fun.

THIS, buy something under $20 that's waterproof that you don't mind unstrapping and handing to someone if they have a knife pointed at you.

Congrats! just remember Jamaica me crazy

I had a great time- the parts I remember, anyway. The Jamaican police were able to fill in the rest.

I ask you- is being naked on the roof of a hotel so bad? Just once? In your entire life? I don't think so.

The police disagreed.

We stayed at the Sandals in Montego Bay last January. We had a really good time. Once we went to Sandals, we didn't leave the resort except to go between the two other ones near by, and for our excursion we did to Dunns River Falls. That was a lot of fun and I recommend it even though it is a tourist trap. it was a little annoying trying to leave to go back to the van because you have to run the gauntlet of all these people trying to sell you the same "Jamaican" souvenirs. Just don't make eye contact.

Definitely wear sunscreen.

We stayed at Couples in Ocho.

They got a really nice roof.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I had a great time- the parts I remember, anyway. The Jamaican police were able to fill in the rest.

I ask you- is being naked on the roof of a hotel so bad? Just once? In your entire life? I don't think so.

The police disagreed.

You truly are an adventurous sort, are you not.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I'd go buy a cheap digital watch to wear. That's just me, though.

Have fun.

+1 on this.

If you have to wear a watch, go Casio/Timex. I have a Casio MRW-200H just for this purpose.

I wouldn't wear a watch, take a phone or a laptop; no distractions, just you and your girl. Time has no meaning.

An inexpensive digital camera with a few extra memory cards.

Chongo, enjoy the more than well deserved R&R with the love of your life.

By the way, chongo- don't take it personally if the hotel staff keeps asking you if you're in law enforcement in the United States. They ask everyone this question.

We enjoyed Blue Mountain coffee, Red Stripe beer, rum punch and jerk chicken.
I'd purchase a cheap, waterproof watch at the duty free shop.

Ocho Rios: There is a great waterfall tour we took a couple of years ago. They also have an aviary on the tour, you get to feed exotic birds. Very Cool. Is wasn't the Dunn's Falls trip though.

Have fun,

RMD