See More of Jamaica

I regularly surf the internet and read other peoples reviews and experiences in Jamaica.  The negative commentaries make me cringe and I wish I could call all the negative people up and tell them “if only you’d known how to handle yourself…..”.  So here it is, a post on how to leave your hotel and handle yourself out in the streets to get the best possible experience you can that day.

First of all, this post is NOT for people who stay at all-inclusive resorts.  The very fact that you’re at one in the first place means you didn’t go to Jamaica to experience anything except a bunch of other tourists.  This post is for those of you who are budget travelers and have some sense of adventure, want to see things, meet people and be a minority for a week, function in a foreign country and respect the culture of where you are.  This post is for those of you who REALIZE that the Jamaicans you see who work in the resorts are NOT a good cross section of the real Jamaica.

To venture out of your hotel – put one foot in front of the other and walk out the door. Make sure you have no agenda for the day except to end up where you end up.  You will undoubtedly get solicited by every single taxi that drives by you, they’ll honk the horn and say “taxi?” out the window.  You simply say NO THANKS and walk on. Don’t assume they’re all harassing you just because they want something.  Driving taxi is their livelihood, of course they’re going to ask if you want a ride.

When you walk by shops usually the person who works there is hanging out front and they will also “harass” you.  They’re more difficult to turn down because they’re a lot more persistent.  But guess what?  If you’re not shopping that day just say NO THANKS and walk on.  Instead of seeing the pushy Jamaicans as public enemy number one, see them as trying to make a living in a country where things never come easy.

Before you go out be aware that you will run into people in the street who just ask you for money.  This is common.  Again, life in Jamaica isn’t easy and this is how some people get by.  Decide BEFORE your walk about, if you’re going to be generous that day or not.  If you don’t have the money just tell them you don’t have the money.  Its not like they’re going to follow you around and keep begging.  Its no different than people back home begging in the streets, so don’t leave Jamaica and tell everyone that all you experienced is a bunch of poor people begging in the streets.

Its a good idea to ask a Jamaican what’s a good LOCAL place to eat.  The benefit of that is you’ll dine with locals, eat great food and pay a lot less than you would at a touristy restaurant.  Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path, you will not get mugged, raped and murdered.  Just read my posts about how to carry money around and you’ll be fine.

One of the best tips I can give you is act like you want to fit in!!  Don’t act like a snooty tourist who’s better than everyone.  Genuinely try and act interested in being there.  Look like you’re having fun instead of looking like you’re afraid or too good.  I can’t even begin to tell you the awesome things you’ll experience if you befriend a Jamaican or two and look for some adventure!  If you read any of my other posts in this blog, you’ll see all the cool places I get to discover because I just trusted the people to what they do best – share their culture.