Jamaica Survival Guide!

[dillon 6]

BUMP

[NatPatBen 3]

I stayed at Fun Holiday once - never again. The restaurant food was awful and the staff had an attitude - they never cleaned the room until around 4 pm every day (naptime for us), and we had to fight to get more than two bath towels - even wash cloths, etc.... One night we had run into an old old friend of ours who happened to be in Negril doing some recording - He's a dread, but from Monteserrat - The security guard refused to let him on the property when we ran back to change (around 9 pm or so) and told me that I know how to lie good when I told her that he has been one of my closest friends for 15 years - Then the next am, they showed up to supposedly "clean the room" at 8 am - no knock, just barged in while we were sleeping. I went off, and would never ever ever recommend it to anyone.

Wow. In my two stays at Fun Holiday (November and last week), I didn't have bad experiences. I had local friends come to visit with no problem. The food in the dining room wasn't the best, but it was far from awful. My main complaint is with how long it takes. I will admit that once during each of my two stays, they didn't have clean washcloths to leave us... not that big a deal to me since I had my own mesh loofah-type thing. As far as the room, there have been a few times when the cleaning person came while I was there. However, this happens anywhere. Usually, I didn't care about the whole room and would just stay in there while she cleaned the bathroom & replaced the towels.

I guess the cost, free wireless internet, proximity to everything else, lack of mosquitoes, and high hot water pressure greatly overshadowed any minor issues, to me. Also, the people at the front desk are very friendly. They remembered me from my first trip and even asked about my cousin, who stayed there in January based on my recommendation.

Edited February 13, 2009 by NatPatBen

[NatPatBen 3]

You can also use a free wireless signal in Negril at Margaritaville and at Time Square Mall. I gotta have my internet fix everyday!

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Making a JA LDR Easier

General Information on Jamaica:

www.VisitJamaica.com (new tourist board web site!)

Jamaica Dream Vacation: www.jamaica-dream-vacation.com

www.jamaicans.com

www.seejamaicacheaply.com

www.top5jamaica.com

Jamaican Word Glossary: www.speakjamaican.com/glossary.html

Jamaican Recipes with Video: www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/food_and_drink.htm

Jamaica Florist: http://worldwide-florist.com/Jamaica.html

Documents

- Police Record: http://www.mns.org.jm/ApplyingforPoliceRec...79/Default.aspx

- Dual Citizenship - http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org/citizenshi...20by%20Marriage

- Passport: Application http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org/Applications/ppapp.pdf

- From the US after he's here - http://www.jamaicanconsulatechicago.org/#Passport%20Renewal:

- Birth/Marriage Certificate: (Get at least 1 or 2 extra to bring to US )

- From JA: In person at local RGD office http://www.rgd.gov.jm/?q=locations

- From US: Online at http://www.rgd.gov.jm/

- Make sure to locate vaccination records

- Locate high school graduation certificate

- A recommendation from recent employer is helpful

Monetary

Banks:

- ScotiaBank http://www.scotiabank.com/jm/cda/index/0,,LIDen,00.html

- NCB Bank - http://www.jncb.com/index.asp

Sending Money:

- Greendot (Prepaid Debit Card): $10 for the card, $5 monthly fee www.greendotonline.com

- Western Union – http://www.westernunion.com

- Senvia - http://www.senvia.com/

Communications

Digicel:

- Chip $400

- Web text messages from their phone to their phones via the internet - http://webtext.digicelgroup.com/sendSMSForm.do

- International Calling Plan: 16 hours for $20USD per month - LINK

Ezetop: Send credit to mobile phones in Jamaica EZETOP

Cell Phones - Buy unlocked if you are purchasing in US: www.cellularblowout.com; www.wirelessgalaxy.com; www.ebay.com

Calling Card Options:

Ringyard www.ringyard.com

Sprint International Phone Cards

Rebtel phone cards

SoSoChat

News

Jamaica Gleaner - http://jamaica-gleaner.com

Jamaica Observer - www.jamaicaobserver.com

Power 106 - www.go-jamaica.com/power

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

www.jumptv.com (CVM for free or TVJ for monthly fee)

Yellow Pages - http://jamaica.jamaicayp.com

Online Bill Payment

http://www.billexpressonline.com/bxonline/index2.aspx

https://www.paymaster-online.net/

Shipping

Barrel - Food/Toiletries/Supplies

- Dial A Barrel - online - www.dialabarrel.com

- Pack A Barrel - online - RIPPED OFF A VJ MEMBER!!!

- Finlays - Sells empty barrells and will also ship them for you - www.shiptojamaica.com

USPS vs FedEx vs UPS

Air Jamaica Cargo - http://airjamaica.com/Cargo

Order From US - PickUp in JA

Courts - Free Islandwide Delivery - www.courts.com.jm

SuperPlus Supermarket - www.superplusfoods.com

Hotel Recommendations

Trip Advisor - traveler reviews & opinions of hotels, vacations & more - www.tripadvisor.com

Negril: Detailed Map of Negril businesses / hotels - http://www.negrilinfo.com/

On the beach:

Beach Club Condos (studios available)- http://www.negrill.com/

Country Country - http://countryjamaica.com/

Kuyaba - (beautiful, great food!) http://www.kuyaba.com/

Rondel Village: http://www.rondelvillage.com/

Charela Inn: http://www.charela.com/

Hidden Paradise: http://www.hidden-paradise.com/

Seasplash- www.seasplash.com

Our Past Time- www.ourpasttimenegril.com

On the cliffs:

Blue Cave Castle - http://www.bluecavecastle.com/

Samsara - http://www.negrilhotels.com/

Xtabi (beautiful) www.xtabi-negril.com

Foot Prints www.footeprints.com

Kingston:

The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites - http://www.courtleigh.com/

Mikuzi Guest House - http://mikuzijamaica.com/index.html

Mandeville:

Mandeville Hotel - www.mandevillehoteljamaica.com

Golf View Hotel - www.thegolfviewhotel.com

Tropics View Hotel - www.tropicsviewhoteljamaica.com

Montego Bay:

Holiday Inn Sunspree - http://www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica/

Royal Decameron - http://decameron.com/Eng/jamaica/montego/overview.html

Trelawny:

FDR-Pebbles - http://www.fdrholidays.com/pebbles/index.php

Starfish

Ocho Rios:

Rooms On the Beach

Sunset Jamaica Grande

Little Shaw Park Guesthouse

http://www.littleshawparkguesthouse.com

The Blue House

http://www.thebluehousejamaica.com/

SeaCrest Beach Hotel

http://www.seacrestresorts.com/

Hibiscus Lodge

http://www.hibiscusjamaica.com/

High Hope Estate

www.highhopeestate.com

These sites have hotel info for many areas

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/jamaica/93_indacc.html

www.homeaway.com

Negril Internet Hot Spots

Easy Rock Internet Cafe (West End) www.negril.com/ezrock

Blue Waters Internet Cafe (West End) www.negril.com/BlueWaters/2

Surf N Talk (Beach Road) www.surfntalk.com.jm

Possible wifi: Selinas, Fun Holiday, Alfreds

Ocho Rios Internet Hot Spots

Atmosphere - 1 Sandcastle Plaza, 1 Main Street 876-974-6676

Techie Website

http://www.techjamaica.com/</a>

US Caribbean Links: (restaurants, associations, etc…)

Connecticut: http://www.westindianfoundation.org/://http://www.techjamaica.com/</a&g...foundation.org/://http://www.techjamaica.com/</a&g...foundation.org/://http://www.techjamaica.com/</a&g...foundation.org/://http://www.techjamaica.com/</a&g...foundation.org/

Florida: http://www.jamaicanamericanassoc.com/

Georgia: www.ajaatlanta.org/

Maryland:

- Muffin Man http://www.gazette.net/stories/121406/ente...326_31981.shtml

- www.hotcalaloo.com/jam.htm

Michigan: Michigan Jamaican Association http://www.jam1.org/

US Shopping

Sam's 24-7 - Online Caribbean shopping for food and misc. items - Runs specials with free shipping - www.sams247.com

Golden Krust - Great patties, many locations and an online store - www.goldenkrustbakery.com

http://wifglobal.com

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

To send text via email:

1876xxxxxxx@digitextjm.com

[NatPatBen 3]

To send text via email:

1876xxxxxxx@digitextjm.com

Thank you!!!!!

I tried that method to my fiance's two phones. The Digicel one received the message. The Claro phone did not. But I wasn't surprised as I can't send texts to the Claro phone from my cell.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

((BUMP))

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

((BUMP))

[sus 70]

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS CONCERNING VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

United States immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations (listed below) prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa. Panel physicians who conduct medical examinations of immigrant visa applicants are required to verify that immigrant visa applicants have met the vaccination requirements, or that it is medically inappropriate for the visa applicant to receive one or more of the listed vaccinations:

-- Acellular pertussis

-- Hepatitis A

-- Hepatitis B

-- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

-- Influenza

-- Influenza type b (Hib)

-- Measles

-- Meningococcal

-- Mumps

-- Pneumococcal

-- Pertussis

-- Polio

-- Rotovirus

-- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

-- Varicella

-- Zoster

In order to assist the panel physican, and to avoid delays in the processing of an immigrant visa, all immigrant visa applicants should have their vaccination records available for the panel physician's review at the time of the immigrant medical examination. Visa applicants should consult with their regular health care provider to obtain a copy of their immunization record, if one is available. If you do not have a vaccination record, the panel physician will work with you to determine which vaccinations you may need to meet the requirement. Certain waivers of the vaccination requirement are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician.

Only a physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations are medically appropriate for you, given your age, medical history and current medical condition. For more detailed information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Panel Physician Technical Instructions for Vaccination.

[Islandwoman 0]

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS CONCERNING VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

United States immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations (listed below) prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa. Panel physicians who conduct medical examinations of immigrant visa applicants are required to verify that immigrant visa applicants have met the vaccination requirements, or that it is medically inappropriate for the visa applicant to receive one or more of the listed vaccinations:

-- Acellular pertussis

-- Hepatitis A

-- Hepatitis B

-- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

-- Influenza

-- Influenza type b (Hib)

-- Measles

-- Meningococcal

-- Mumps

-- Pneumococcal

-- Pertussis

-- Polio

-- Rotovirus

-- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

-- Varicella

-- Zoster

In order to assist the panel physican, and to avoid delays in the processing of an immigrant visa, all immigrant visa applicants should have their vaccination records available for the panel physician's review at the time of the immigrant medical examination. Visa applicants should consult with their regular health care provider to obtain a copy of their immunization record, if one is available. If you do not have a vaccination record, the panel physician will work with you to determine which vaccinations you may need to meet the requirement. Certain waivers of the vaccination requirement are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician.

Only a physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations are medically appropriate for you, given your age, medical history and current medical condition. For more detailed information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Panel Physician Technical Instructions for Vaccination.

Good ad Sus!

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

((bump))

[.:MzMorgan:. 0]

Wow thanx my fellow VJ Yardies for all the info ! I got a question SUS can my SO start looking about his police record and his immunizations even though I didnt send off the I-129f yet!(plan on doing it next week)

Oh Roxcie thanx for the text via email link!!!

[NatPatBen 3]

Wow thanx my fellow VJ Yardies for all the info ! I got a question SUS can my SO start looking about his police record and his immunizations even though I didnt send off the I-129f yet!(plan on doing it next week)

Oh Roxcie thanx for the text via email link!!!

I know the police record is good for a year. I'd think the immunizations would still be good in several months, too, since you take most vaccines only every several years.

[sus 70]

Wow thanx my fellow VJ Yardies for all the info ! I got a question SUS can my SO start looking about his police record and his immunizations even though I didnt send off the I-129f yet!(plan on doing it next week)

Oh Roxcie thanx for the text via email link!!!

I (personally) wouldn't get the police report yet - I would wait until after you filed, because you don't want to have to do it twice - For the immunizations, definitely start now - he can make sure he has them all and record of them, so it will cost less at the actual medical.

[jamerican 2]

Dopes anyone haave any Ocho Rios hotel recommendations?

Rooms on the Beach, or Sunset Jamaica Grande. These are a bit more pricey, but I'm sure the Ochie crew will have some info for you.

I went to www.skyauction.com and got Rooms at the Beach for $60us a night after taxes.....They are always on that site and you can bid on the rooms....just an FYI...I won the bid at $35 a night but they have fee's and taxes that brought it up to $60 which is still great as the regular rate is somewhere around $100 a night.