Jamaica Blossoms on a Budget
jamaicajulie
Craving for the islands on a secretary's budget
May 9, 2006
based on 7 votes
When Spring Fever hits, but the cash is tight - there is only one place that brings every element together – Montego Bay! For those living in cooler climates, the sun may be out, but it will be July before you can soak up the rays without debating if you should ‘bring a jacket’. Anyone that is already acclimated to warm temperatures, needs to experience warmth tempered by gentle trade winds to give the vibe its relaxation groove. Jump on a plane to a place where the natives don’t understand the term “wind chill factor,” and where rum is the cure for any left over symptoms of the winter blues. Montego Bay, Jamaica offers a plethora of activity or relaxation attractions to get even the most weary traveler rejuvenated and prepared for welcoming the summer months without hurting the pocket.
- Category: Perfect week or more
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Traveler type: Culture, Shopping, Repeat visitors, Beachgoers
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Singles, Students, Budget travelers, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: affordable, Montego Bay, Jamaica, ocean, party
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1. Hotels That Will Help Heal Your Wallet From Other Hotels
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Montego Bay offers a range of hotel accommodations. If you are looking for moderate to cheap accommodations and want to experience the culture of Jamaica more than hearing an occasional IRIE or YA MON from your waiter at the all-inclusive, try Doctors Cave Beach Hotel for moderation. Doctor's Cave Beach Hotel has garden view and pool side rooms that you can get for a little over $100 US per night. They have special gatherings at the bar with fun activities that are actually more fun than those of the pricy resorts. My personal favorite is 'free rum punch happy hour'. The bartenders and staff have always been gracious and promote getting a party started at any moment. There are reasonable restaurants close by and the staff will always point you in the right direction. The staff will be happy to point out the best shops for souvenirs or even show you the way to the best craft market in town (more on that to come)
This hotel offers all the fun at half the price of the all-inclusive hotels. |
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2. Spences in Springtime for the Savy Saver
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Try Spences for the ultimate in cheap rates while staying on the Glouchester strip. 876/952-6693
If you are really on a shoe-string budget, consider Spence's on Glouchester Avenue (Bottom Road) next to the airport. They only have a few rooms and the lovely couple that owns the property make you feel like a family guest rather than a tourist. The property is across the street from the free beach. Fruit and sandwich vendors are readily available in the area and there is a quaint local bar right next door. This little well-kept secret will give you privacy and a quiet hammock to lay in, or provide the upbeat day/night life of the main strip within a quarter mile walk or a 2 minute cab ride.
The room I have stayed in several times was clean, air-conditioned, large and had a large dining table, full kitchen and an antique king size bed that almost made me want to stay inside all day. Price tag?- Apx. $65 US per night. You can fill your fridge with items from the local grocery store and avoid dining out. Save that money for rum or Redstripe or an excursion you otherwise could not afford! |
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3. Beachin' at a Bargain
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Beaches are available to non-inclusive guests in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The most popular is Doctors Cave Beach, which has a history of having healing waters (although it is the same water as the rest of the ocean). It costs a little over $1 US dollar to spend the day at the beach, which is shared with Breezes Hotel. There is food and drink available for purchase, or you can bring your own. They also have shops if you don't want to sunbathe and swim all day. On special nights they also have local concerts or DJs on the beach.
If you prefer to relax without being surrounded by tourists, you can walk down the street (across from Spences) to a little public beach where many Jamaicans go for a morning swim. I particularly enjoy this beach, as it makes me feel as if I have my own private beach. The airport being very close may distract some tourists, but as planes are few and far between - I find it interesting to see them land. |
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4. Crafty Shopping
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Barter, Barter, Barter is the key in Jamaica. Whether you are shopping at St. James Plaza for fine jewlery or the craft market for a woodcarving, you can always be assured that the price listed or given is negotiable. Perfect example: I saw an amethyst ring I just had to have. The price listed was $300 US. After a fifteen minute session of counter-offers, I paid $130.
If the craft market is more your style, you will shuffled from one hut to the next for you to examine their wares. Here is where the real bargains can be obtained, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon. My advice at a market is to NEVER promise to buy something (they will not forget to remind you) and if you ever feel over whelmed or pressured, just look the person in the face and say the word RESPECT. This means that you are asking in a polite way that they respect your space.
My favorite craft shop is at the corner of Glouchester and Kent where you can ask for Lena, Nicey, Charm, Debbie, or Freddie. The market has many other native booths, but I have shopped with these individuals for over 15 years and feel comfortable recommending them for anything from hair braids that will last and quality tshirts or carvings. |
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5. Chow Time
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Whether you want to spend $4 or $30 for a dinner, I have several suggestions.
$4 meals can be found at Burger King near Walter Fletcher beach.
A reasonable $7-$12 meal with anything from Jamaican to American food can be enjoyed at the casual dining atmosphere of Pelican, also located near Walter Fletcher beach. If romantic ambiance with flair is in your budget - head for the Casa Blanca. Your meal will be full of flavor, while you overlook the ocean and have a waiter that serves your every need. I suggest doing this at least once because it will awaken and refreshen your sensory awareness. You will feel royal! |
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6. Party Time
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It is always 5 oclock somewhere, and in Montego Bay you do not have to worry about the Spring time change. All the clocks should be set at 5 oclock always. If it is a daytime party you are looking for, you can jump on a local party boat and hit the high seas for an afternoon of dancing and drinks. If you ask almost any native, they can connect you with someone working on the boats to get you a discounted rate.
If you have the energy after your long winters nap to be a night owl - head down to Walter Fletcher Beach if there is an advertised concert, or Walter Fletcher Bar for some nightly entertainment. The Brewery is a sports bar and restaraunt that has Karoke or entertainment on various nights. If you need a cool place to run to and still want to party, the casino is half way between Doctors Cave and Walter Fletcher Beach and has gambling and music on most nights. I'm not forgetting Margarittaville. I was saving the best for last. If you get there early, you can avoid the cover charge and maybe get in a chance to slide down the water slide into the ocean. If not, get ready for some wild times at night with animated DJs hosting wild contests. Join in and win some souveniers instead of having to buy them. The bar consists of the perfect blend of tourists and natives and the music never stops and is always loud. |
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7. Adventures Other Than Watching the Spring Thaw at Home
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| Any tour you might be interested in will also be offered through any local TourWise location. There is an office between Doctors Cave and the Casino where booking multiple excursions can offer good discounts. Do not forget the key term - BARTER. Dunns River Falls Clilmbing Experience or Rick's Cafe Cliff Diving are perfect for the water lovers with an adventurous spirit. Horse back riding in the mountains or on the beach is romantic for couples and will help stretch your thighs to try some Jamaican dancing. The Martha Brae River Rafting is the most relaxing experience you could ask for during your trip. Each raft holds one to two passengers. While you sit back with your cool drink, the raft driver guides the raft by bamboo pole down a lazy, lush river. They will pull over to the side if you need a fresh drink from a river bank hut bar. |
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8. The Driving Is Jamaican Me Crazy
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| My suggestion is to NOT rent a car or motor bike if you are not used to driving on the left side of the road. Secondly, only use red plate cabs or buses for transportation, unless someone you trust from your hotel offers a suggestion for a local driver. The drivers can be a bit over zealous with horn use and tend to prefer avoiding potholes to staying on the proper side of the road. The experience of being in a Jamaican cab can get your pulse racing, but always lends itself to a fun story and rarely results in any problems. |
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