Comments on: Predatory tourism? Visitor details a “horrible” vacation in Jamaica

By: livermorebrian

livermorebrian — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:49:28 +0000

At risk of sounding rude, Mr Shelton’s complaints sound like those of someone who hasn’t traveled much.

Jamaica is an island, go to Hawaii or other remote island and see how much more products and services are. The taxi ride? Did Mr Shelton stop to see the price of fuel in Jamaica? Did he think about the cost of telecommunication when reflecting on the internet price (sounds like he was using it on a cruise ship based on the price). Just about everything on the island has to be imported so prices are going to be higher.

As for the luggage fees and airline change fees. If you overpack and or need to change your airplane tickets these are pretty much the industry standards.

yes, the people in Jamaica and other tourist spots can be very pushy and try to sell you something at every turn but does that mean they’re trying to rip you off.

I’m sorry Mr Shelton sounds like he needs to do a little more traveling before he loads all the travel woes of the world on Jamaica.

By: Dovedaville

Dovedaville — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:58:30 +0000

Jamaica can be a good experience. Anywhere there are tourist spots, prices are jacked up. There are many places in downtown Mobay that are good places to spend your money. It also helps to have a good friend that can tell you whats what. Meals are good and cheap, even the grocery stores are very reasonble. Having a good and honest friend to hang with makes it very pleasant, but avoid people that try to use you, and believe me there are plenty there. Jobs are almost scarce and the men can be extra nice when they think you have money to spend. So be careful of the friends you choose.

By: fitzroy

fitzroy — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:02:57 +0000

Am sorry to no that some tourist go through a bad experience . But it not jamaica alone those things happen.I have travel ovEr the many places far worst than jamaica with crime .you may experience some bad happen in montegobay are kingston try portland. One of the mostbeautiful place in the world.don’t judge the whole jamaica

By: Jan Cagle

Jan Cagle — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:36:01 +0000

NO NOT GO TO NEGRIL JAMAICA—I have to agree. We went to Negril for Thanksgiving and were robbed in our villa while we slept. It is very dangerous there. The people are very desperate due to the poor US economy and how it has effected them. I have been to Negril 3 times and my brother has been there every year for 30 years and he has never seen this type of encounter before. We are very sad because we have good friends who are Jamaican’s, but it is just too dangerous even if you are vigilant about safety, etc. We are still working out the details of our burglary and the owners of the Villa were very inconsiderate and offensive to all 8 of us.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:08:57 +0000

Just got back from Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS COUNTRY. Why is there NOT a warning???? Of my group I’m the only person that speaks the language. Our tour guide tried to have us robbed. I told her I was onto her and we got back to our hotel safely. THEY HATE AMERICANS!!! I heard it at every turn. I speak the language!!! They have disdain and resentment towards us. Please do NOT go to Jamaica. You are a sitting duck. We were! People are desperate and will do anything. This economy has hit them hard and everyone is desperate. Anyone know how I can get a hold of the embassy? Someone needs to know what’s going on.

By: Heather Reese

Heather Reese — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:23:02 +0000

I was very surprised at how unsafe Jamaica was and how expensive it is, especially when you are a white tourist (I say this because I saw what happened when it was our Jamaican friends took care of business instead of us). I think the problem is with the way it is portrayed in commercials here and by people who went there many, many years ago. They bill it as a paradise and and it might have been back then but I think that for most people, paradise will only be found if you stay in the all inclusives and don’t venture out on your own. It’s sad but I would never recommend it to anyone who wants to be able to go around the island, checking things out by themselves.

I was lucky to go with someone who knows the island and so I got to see a lot more of it and really liked a lot of the “locals” stuff and could probably find my way around safely enough but I’m not sure if I would. Even Negril, which used to be pretty laid back and ideal was overrun and you couldn’t walk a step without someone harassing you about one thing or another. Save for Treasure Beach on the South Coast where I could walk down the beach and not be bothered too much and where I felt safe and I can’t forget the fantastic food and music that I got to experience thanks to my guide, the rest was pretty disappointing in regards to being able to enjoy the beauty without having to worry so much about your safety.

Just my experience… wish it was different…

By: jamaican

jamaican — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:59:01 +0000

omg!!!!!!!!! im a jamaican, i live in jamaica. some of these things that im reading are all new to me, for example, ridiculous taxi fares the excessive harrassment, i knew that tourist were sometimes harrassed but i didnt know the extent wow!!.it is so sad , especially because jamaica promotes itself as the best place to be on earth.. guess our goverment really need to tightened up those loose ends, since we rely so much on tourism. as well as the tourist needs to take the necessary precautions, such as read and plan your trip carefully. dnt just come to the island expecting things to just fall into place. plan ahead and contact experienced tour personel that would have your interest at heart. i have an uncle that specialises as a tour guide as well as as provides other services such as taking you wherever you want to go he also operates for and hotel and will ensures your safety. pls feel free to contact me at brown_tightness @ yahoo.c0m

By: D.H.

D.H. — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:24:22 +0000

Gee, I was going to AAA tomorrow to book a vacation with my husband and 17 yr old daughter to Jamaica tomorrow. We were going to do an all inclusive in Montego Bay. I thought the zipline, river tubing, and (especially) the bamboo raft ride would be fun. After reading all of this I am having 2nd thoughts. I had looked at Costa Rica and Belize but it was alot more expensive and didn’t offer as many tours as Jamaica. But I certainly don’t want to look over my shoulder the whole time, especially since our daughter will be with us. If I just wanted swimming, fishing and shopping I could go to Florida for the 20th time. Wanted something different. But also want to be safe. Went to Riviera Maya a few years ago.

By: Joe Maryann

Joe Maryann — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:48:59 +0000

I have to agree with MLB for the most part. We have been to Jamiaca twice Runaway Bay(Breezes Resort) and Negril(Hedo) and never had a problem. We use comman sense and street smarts.We stayed at all inclusive resorts and never had surprise bills. We make a point of escaping the resorts and see local places of interests. I live in NJ about 30 miles from the shore, so why would I want to stay confined to a hotel and not experience the Islands.We could stay home and stay at a hotel and swim in the ocean. Many tourist we have seen while vacationing in the Caribbean stick out like a sore thumbs- Dumb.. We have been to about 12 caribbean islands in the last 7/8 years take side trips and rent/drive cars on our own, mingle with the locals and most important give them respect. It’s their home, we are just vistiting. My wife and I have seen countless tourists talk down to the locals. No wonder they have trouble.

Be happy don’t worry.

By: Claire Walter

Claire Walter — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:11:06 +0000

Jamaica’s image and appeal tourists will not be helped by the murder of a British diplomat in his MoBay home. See http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/10/jamaica.uk.diplomat/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

By: Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:32:39 +0000

@Ugly American, I enjoyed reading your comment.

By: barbie45

barbie45 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:14:31 +0000

uglyamerican; you save a great sense of irony; by the way according to the latest polls russian tourists are now the ugly ones; Americans just loud but good tippers; Yes I will look for a beautiful island with culture and maybe some rude people but not carrying weapons.

By: Ugly American

Ugly American — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:24:25 +0000

Well this has been very enlightening. In reading these comments I have learned that since every city in the world has some crime, I guess it’s now OK that Jamaica has a MUCH MUCH WORSE crime problem and corrupt police to boot.

And since the people of Jamaica are poor and rely on tourism, I am not allowed to be annoyed by their aggressive vendors, scammers and robbers. I should just accept it as part of the culture and continue to visit repeatedly.

Since some Americans act like obnoxious fools when they travel, nobody’s complaints about Jamaica could possibly be valid.

Last but not least, I have learned that Jamaica is a great place to visit because it HAS A CULTURE. Therefore it is just as good to visit Jamaica as anyplace else in the world.

Why would I want to waste my time visiting a different, equally beautiful island without Jamaica’s problems? Just because they have low crime rates and friendly people? Well there’s still SOME crime and SOME rude people. So I should just visit Jamaica instead.

I’m going to start planning my trip right away.

By: MLB

MLB — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:46:49 +0000

Heading to Jamaica next month for honeymoon and not surprised by what I read. Sadly, Captain Entitled bitching about his candy bar is not exactly a tragedy to me. I plan to go, be aware and treat everyone with the same respect I’d treat my elders.
The whiners from the cruise ships should probably keep their opinions to themselves. Seriously? You were there for A DAY, if that? How many children could be hawking their family’s wares and approaching you? Get over yourself. This is a poor country with expensive resort areas and the locals know where to frequent to ask for money. Which by the way, THEY NEED because they probably don’t have indoor plumbing.
If you approach this island with your typical American “My Poo Doesn’t Stink” attitude, wearing your fanny pack, socks and sandals; no wonder they target you! You are clearly think that the world owes you something because you can afford to go on a nice vacation to a scenic place. Get over yourself and don’t do stupid things – you shouldn’t have a problem.
Oh and FYI – try to avoid the use of your cell phone. The same lovely folks who expect their time on a poverty stricken island to be comparable to “Swiss Family Robinson” with a buffet are the same anticipating to use their cell/BlackBerry/PDA without cost. Get real people. You had to show a passport to go, correct? Key words: Different Country. American cell carriers don’t put up towers in places like Montego Bay because it doesn’t make business sense based on their customer base. I apologize for the random rant about cell phones-just read an article about a man that was “outraged” because his wife decided to take an impromptu (his words) trip to Indonesia and they were hit with $8,000.00 in roaming/data charges. Well genius, your BlackBerry and/or Smartphone attempts to connect to a network at LEAST every 15 minutes to ensure you stay on top of your oh-so-crucial email. Multiply that by a middle-aged wannabe businesswoman keeping track of her real estate sales as well as showing her friends in the Bunco club back home just how cute she looks in her visor that says “Indonesia” and you get $8,000…

By: barbie45

barbie45 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:13:17 +0000

flygirl; bisonkeeper,ronda ,julies posts along with others confirmed that jamaica has some serious safety issues; machetes is a lttle bit more than agressive behavior; i will pass on jamacian culture and explore more friendly cultures.