what do u think about jamaica ?

Answer 1

I love it here. We DO have a middle class a thriving one at that, the country doesnt have an extremely rich or and extremely poor class.

As for the hagglers:

[I have heard that street vendors are aggressive and will insist that I buy something. Is this true?

If you have ever been to an Italian craft market, then you kind of know what to expect. Vendors wanting to sell all sorts of wares will approach you, and you should always haggle for a good price if you are interested in the service or product. They expect you to. Remember, you are not at Nordstroms! The asking price is only a place to start not end the sales process. If you are not interested, just say No thank you and keep walking. Most Jamaican salesmen can't fathom why you would not want to purchase what they have to sell and can look at you as if you are passing up an opportunity to purchase the Hope Diamond at a bargain basement price. Remember step #2, just say No thank you and keep walking if you are not interested in buying anything. More importantly, have fun with it. I know of tourists who make a total game out of it and bargain for a good price even if they have no interest in the item. Kind of twisted don't ya think? It is widely known that Jamaican vendors run from Italian tourists because Italians know how to bargain better than Jamaicans. I once saw a Jamaican vendor simply give an Italian tourist a T-shirt just so the Italian would leave the vendor alone. Now that is what I call an expert bargainer (Is 'bargainer' a word?). ]

Answer 2

I TOTALLY disagree with Smoochie -

I got married at Couples in Ocho Rios & we LOVED it - 1st off there are no KIDS, it's all inclusive.

Yeah the bus ride is scary - but when you aren't used to driving on the other side of the road... it was scary for about 5 minutes and then we just started laughing the whole way there - our driver was really informative as we got him talking & we stopped off to get some beers for the trip to the resort...

The resort is beautiful - and the nude island is FUN and sometimes in life you just got let it all hang out with people you will never see again! If it's not "your cup of tea" than you must be real uptight - half the regular beach is nude due to the Europeans going topless anyway (the American men thank you for that as well)

But let's face it - the resorts are beautiful and certain sections are beautiful as well - but unlike most countries, Jamaica is a place where you are either extremely rich or extremely poor - not much of a middle class.

If you don't want to deal with whiney kids go to Couples - if you are taking kids, than do Sandals..

Answer 3

Hated it. Stayed at Couples Ocho Rios. Dirty, long and scary ride there. Only left the resort (as told) on supervised excursions to have a horseback ride and go to the falls (don't remember what they were called but was thoroughly unimpressed). The ride was depressing to say the least. You could see the potential all around, but it was completely spoiled. Nothing else to do but drink and hang at the beach (nude beach if you want), not my cup of tea at all. The 'no problem, man' attitude was very aggravating by the last day when our bus arrived late, then broke down and we almost missed our flight. Nothing redeeming about the island or the resort. Spoken to several other average 30-something couples and no one had anything really great to say about it. Our worst vacation by far.

I suppose other locations and resorts might be better, but we saw enough to know that we don't ever, ever want to go back.

Answer 4

Jamaica is a land of many people, many cultures, and many beautiful hidden treasures. To all the stupid people who think the "peddlers", also reffered to as "Higglers" are a problem, remember something, the money you spent just for your hotel may be more than some of these people earn in a year. Imagine seeing people who are uppity, snide, and rude (tourists) who think they are better than them. They are trying to eat and feed their family. The only chance they have to make any money is to sell trinkets and such to the MANY tourists who want them. If you don't like poor people, black people, or any combination, please go to the Caymans. They cater to gays and a$$hole tourists like you. (Smootchy)

Answer 5

Very overated for the most part. It can be dangerous if you leave your resort. Its never a good sign when most resorts have armed gaurds on the premises. There is an abundance of drug dealing, and ussualy they are so pushy that it bothers people even if they want the product being sold. The beaches are very average, and the cities are rundown and poor, with alot of crime..

There are several nice and afforable resorts though. Making it one of the few carib. islands that most people could probably afford to travel to.

Answer 6

It's beautiful (in certain places). I married my wife at Montego Bay. We go every year. But we go to the private resorts, so that we are not bothered by the "peddlers"

One time we left to go check out Negril. The the waters and the sand were beautiful, but the tourists and the peddlers ruined it for us. Now, we don't leave our villa in the resort unless the owner (or the locals working in the resort) accompanies us.

Answer 7

The whole place sell off!

Answer 8

depends on what `jamaica her do ;)

Answer 9

Sounds good right about now

Answer 10

live here in montego bay all my life and i love it,only problem i see too much negitive tourist.