Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Jamaica Family Vacations

Tourism is very important to the Jamaican economy, attracting close to two million tourists every year. The Jamaican tourism industry contributes an estimated $1.4 billion to the Jamaican economy. Jamaica received the greatest number of visitors from December through April. Aside from the mountainous terrain, cultural offerings, and pristine beaches, one of the characteristics that endears Jamaica to a lot of tourists is the availability of activities interesting to all members of the family.

Depending on their interests, parents are kept busy by a lot of activities. Simply lounging by the beach, having a massage and spa treatment, or visiting museums and art galleries are the most preferred activities by parents who visit Jamaica. More adventurous parents may also immerse themselves in various water sports such as swimming, jet skiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There are also bike tracks available that can be traversed by novice and expert bikers.

Teenagers and college kids also enjoy staying by the beach, enjoying various water sports, most notably scuba diving, snorkeling, and wake boarding. They also enjoy going to popular nightspots with live reggae performers. Jamaicans are not as strict as other countries and do not strictly employ age limits in bars and with drinking alcoholic beverages. An assortment of activities for children is also offered in Jamaica such as water sports and nature trails. Playing in the pristine sands of Jamaica’s beaches may already prove to be fun enough for children. Jamaica has certainly a lot to offer to families and all age groups, which makes it an ideal family vacation spot.

Travel agencies may even offer discounts for Jamaican family vacations covering airline tickets, accommodations, in-land transportation, and even meals. Although hiring the services of a travel agent may be more convenient, there are still a lot of people who plan their vacations first hand. In this event, consumers are asked to thoroughly check the services of the hotels or resorts that they plan to stay in, including the range of activities they offer. It is also helpful to ask whether these activities are inclusive of hotel rates.


Rose Hall Hotel Jamaica

Travel Deals to Jamaica

Flights to Jamaica Are Now Easy to Find

Flights to Jamaica

When it comes to Flights to Jamaica from the UK along with British Airways you have the choice of flying with Virgin Airways and also Air Jamaica. All the flights offered to this part of the world from the UK go from their major airports.

If you are considering going to Jamaica at any time then it is important to note that flights during the tourist season are at their most expensive. From the middle December until the middle of April you can expect to pay at least 60% for your flights than at any other time of the year.

However, if you do want to fly during the height of the tourist season then rather than flying on a scheduled flight is to take a charter one instead. Certainly from the UK this works far more cost effective. The other way is to actually fly from the UK to the USA and then get a charter flight on to Jamaica. The only problem with this method is that the flight schedules are not as flexible.

As mentioned between the middle of April and middle of December the costs of flights to Jamaica from the UK are considerably less, but may increase during late July and early August. This is because when the Reggae Sumfest is taking place and it can become extremely busy once more.

To find the cheapest flights possible for your vacation to Jamaica the best place to start your search is online. There are numerous travel companies offering great deals as long as you are willing to be flexible with your travel arrangements.


Rose Hall Hotel Jamaica

Travel Deals to Jamaica

Sample the Many Flavors of Jamaica

Dining in Jamaica can be as simple as a stool at a roadside stand or as elaborate as a fine dining restaurant inside a 5 star resort. The island of Jamaica offers a wide variety of restaurants and culinary styles to sample. The traditional cuisine of Jamaica is typically light, island fare with distinctive spices and flavors. Those looking for the traditional Jamaican experience will definitely want to check out the jerk huts on Jamaica’s northern shores. Here, spice rubs and grills set over oil drums create one of Jamaica’s signature dishes, jerk chicken. For the health-conscious diner, Jamaica also offers Rastafarian I-tal cuisine. I-tal cuisine does not contain salt and follows the strict dietary guidelines of the Rastafarian sect. Various vegetable and soy dishes are prepared to delight your taste buds -and the consciousness. Look for the red, gold and green band and/or a picture of a lion to distinguish these restaurants. If you are looking for a quick pick-me-up, meat or vegetable patties (a type of filled pastry) with coco bread are among the many light meals you can find throughout the country.

If you are looking to have a casual sit-down experience as you enjoy your Jamaican delicacies, you’ll find a wide range of establishments, from local watering holes to fine restaurants. Laid-back Margaritaville Sports Bar and Grill and neighboring posh restaurant, Marguerite’s, offer the best of both worlds in Montego Bay. Evita’s in Ocho Rios combines Jamaican cuisine with Italian flavor, bringing an international flavor to hometown spices. Chance’s in Negril serves up good pizza along Seven Mile Beach. However, a visit to Jamaica doesn’t mean a diet of just local cuisine. The island’s eating establishments employ some of the most talented chefs in the Caribbean. Chefs from the United States and Europe prepare elegant dishes in the French, Continental and American style of cooking.

All of these cuisines and more are a feature of the elaborate buffets that are often a feature at the major resort hotels. These buffets display a variety of local dishes along with other, more-standard fare, and they are almost always reasonably priced. Entertainment is often provided by a local reggae band. Even if you are not staying at a particular hotel, you can call on any given night and make a reservation to enjoy the resort’s buffet. These grand buffets are loaded with the best of Jamaican and American cuisine. The buffet at the All-Inclusive ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios, for example, offers a full breakfast, with on the spot cooking stations, traditional Jamaican lunches and several types of theme restaurants to choose from for dinner, including a steak house, Italian, and Asian eateries. Sunset at the Palms in Negril offers an Asian Fusion restaurant, in addition to their sumptuous buffet and poolside grill. Many All-Inclusives offer theme nights on their main buffets as well.

Although punctuality and politeness are staples of Jamaican culture, most restaurants are relaxed and casual places to meet and eat. In Jamaica, restaurants are social outlets where friends and family dine, share stories and enjoy each others company. Even the chefs participate in the social experience by telling stories, making jokes or just sitting down at the table to see what is going on. Whether you are making new friends or sampling new dishes, Jamaican restaurants offer a wonderful balance of camaraderie and tasty treats.


Rose Hall Hotel Jamaica

Travel Deals to Jamaica

The Top 5 Reasons Why Jamaica Is the Best Caribbean Island Vacation

A lot of people have claimed that Jamaica would be the best Caribbean island to visit, hands down. Jamaica vacations are jam-packed with beautiful attractions and the warmest people. This is why most travellers and jet-setters would list Jamaica as one of the best Caribbean travel destinations. If you’re still not convinced, here are the top five reasons why Jamaica has been dubbed as the best Caribbean island to visit:

1. Welcoming people. As soon as you land from the airport, you will immediately be greeted by local Jamaican people excited to provide you the best Caribbean vacation. The people in Jamaica are some of the most warm, friendly and hospitable people that you will ever meet, and because they are used to their island being a favorite tourist spot, they are more than willing to give you a tour of the area and show you around.

2. Laid back atmosphere. Jamaica vacations are not only popular because of the place; Jamaicans are very laid-back and really know how to have a good time. They are very much into dancing and music, and even if you have never tried to do any of those in your life, you would find all your inhibitions melting away as you hear the music playing. I am sure you’ve heard the saying “No Problem, Mon” – well it is true, anything you ask for they will respond with “No problem”.

3. Great food. In Jamaica you will have some of the freshest seafood and meat, and that is because it is coming directly from the sea or directly from local farmers. You will see fishermen walking along the road with fish that they just caught, you will see a farmer bringing in fresh eggs from the farm in the mornings. You will see the market overflowing the fruits and vegetables from local farms. The spicy curry and jerk seasoning is something that I guarantee you will want to take home and make for your family well after your Jamaican vacation.

4. White sandy beaches. Pristine and exotic white beaches are probably one of the most important recipes to the best Caribbean travel, and a vacation to Jamaica is the place to be. The water is crystal blue and the beach sand is clean and white. One of the most beautiful beach areas you can imagine.

5. Great Culture. When you take your vacation in Jamaica, it is highly recommended to hire a local tour guide that can take you around the island to show you the culture of local Jamaicans. Learn how they shop for their meat, or buy their fresh fish. Drink a coconut by the side of the road. Learn more about the Rastafarians or old traditional healing. Make sure to soak in the culture as well as the great food.


Rose Hall Hotel Jamaica

Travel Deals to Jamaica

Cheap Hotels in Jamaica

Take advantage of the low priced deals when you are planning for your Jamaica vacations, stay in cheap hotels and get to visit more attractions.

It is not surprising these days, to find a large number of travelers who want to save on their holiday costs. In fact, vacationers are anxiously searching for the best deals which would enable them to secure reservations for cheap hotels in Jamaica and minimize the travel budget.

We all know that a luxurious holiday spent at Ritz Carlton Resort in Montego Bay or perhaps the Strawberry Hill Resort in Kingston can be pricey and would leave you with no money to visit places like the Bob Marley Museum.

So, under these circumstances it would be best to select a hotel that would be within your budget and leave you with sufficient money to visit attractions or do some shopping.

It is a good thing that by utilizing the internet in this day and age, it is possible for travelers to find cheap hotels anytime they want to visit exotic destinations such as the Caribbean islands. In addition, due to the fact that Jamaica is said to be the most popular tourist destination in this region, you are certain to get travel packages at a more affordable price.

So, instead of setting your sights on a five star resort like Sandals Royal in Ironshore opt for Hotel Gloriana, which is in close proximity to Sangster’s International airport and the popular hip strip area just the same.

In the past travelers used to think that it is a hard task to find a cheap hotel property in Jamaica. But, I am pretty sure that by the time you finish reading this article, you will realize the many options are available.

The overabundance of travel websites have created a one stop shopping village for persons who are looking for deals. Just by spending a short time on the internet you will be provided with offers for cheap hotels in Jamaica, promotions for attractions such as Dolphins Cove in Ocho Rios and absolutely any tourist related information that you will require about this beautiful island.

You will find that the travel websites provide you with an area to make your reservations easier, in less time and take advantage of inexpensive holiday packages. However, to get the best deal or make the right hotel selection, it would be better do research the options carefully and compare the different rates.

Traveling to Jamaica in the off peak season will provide you with a lot more options, so you have to ensure that the hotel rates advertised for a Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth, would be cheaper than the hotels that you will find in the popular holiday spot of Montego Bay and Negril.

So, take advantage of the convenient internet tools and take your time reviewing all the offers before making your final decision. It is important that you get what you really want when you are traveling on a Jamaican vacation. You don’t have to select a cheap motel in unsuitable areas, just because you are traveling on a strict budget.

If this is your first trip to the island, make use of the maps on the travel website to learn about the hotels, the surrounding area and the attractions and activities that would be closest. This way, it is impossible for you to pick the Hotel Villa Bella on the South Coast and then spend a fortune in order to enjoy the popular attractions on the North Coast.

This is not to say that you cannot have fun on the South Coast, but if you want to visit the popular hot spots in Jamaica, the North Coast accommodations are a must. You will find places such as Dolphin Cove, Zip line Adventures, Dunn’s River Falls, Chukka Adventures and much more.


Rose Hall Hotel Jamaica

Travel Deals to Jamaica