The best impressions from my time in Jamaica

Jamaica…

Something about Jamaica has always fascinated me, whether that be its culture, cuisine, or music. That’s why I instantly became ecstatic when my wife surprised me last summer (2022) with a trip to Jamaica. After all these years, I could visit one of my most sought-after destinations.

This anniversary trip was a celebration and a vacation all in one by every definition. Our itineraries included rest, relaxation, exploration, adventure, and absorption of culture.

This brings us to the purpose behind this article: to share with you my top five impressions of my trip to Jamaica.

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First Impressions – Arrival & Hospitality

Upon arrival at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, we were immediately greeted by a Club Mobay representative. A sort of VIP-type service that helps you go through customs, baggage claim, and arrange transportation. They also have a lounge that you can use for your leisure as you await your flights. Food and drinks included.

This service immediately alluded to my first impressions of Jamaica, which were excellent. Using this service was a time saver and a great introduction to the island’s hospitality. We were greeted by what I consider outstanding customer service. Club Mobay also works for return flights home, and it’s available at both main Jamaican airports.

Once we left the airport and on the main road, we took a left turn toward the main tourist areas of Jamaica. As a former British colony, Jamaicans drive on the left. We got a small history lesson via the hotel shuttle driver as he drove us to our hotel, “Iberostar Grand Rose Hall,” one of three other Iberostar properties on site.

Grand Rose Hall is for adults only but all-inclusive like the rest.

On the way to the Hotels, away from the airport, you mainly drive through tourist and developed areas of the country. I will tell you, the palm trees make a big difference in making everything look attractive. Like most tropical places, expect warm weather here throughout the year.

Iberostar Grand Rose Hall

Once we arrived at the resort, we were greeted with warmth and care. Walking inside the grandiose hotel lobby instantly told us this hotel experience would be one of a kind. You’ll find multiple bars, pools, restaurants, buffets, and even a private beach here.

Don’t forget your own personal butler—everything you’d expect from an all-inclusive Caribbean getaway. Don’t forget to bring some cash, as tips are expected throughout the island.

However, I will continue my impressions of Jamaica, as this post is not about the hotel or its excellent staff.

Second Impressions – Cuisine and drinks

Food

I remember being a child in good ol’ Brooklyn, NY when my father often came home with some Jamaican beef patties. I often looked forward to them, for they continuously rank as one of my favorite handheld foods. Then we moved to Puerto Rico for a short while, and it stopped, as they weren’t as common there as they were in the city.

Here in the States, I often have found myself introducing beef patties to those who either never heard of them (I know, what a crime) or never had the opportunity to try them.

A dream of mine was always to be able to eat a Jamaican Beef Patty in Jamaica. This trip made it possible. I made it a goal to try every single patty I came across. The best one was the one I tried at Dunn River Falls, with a Red Stripe (Jamaican home beer) on the side. The taste, the spice, the heat, and the quality were unreal.

My only honest regret is not being able to purchase another one, for we were on schedule.

What else?

Besides Jamaican patties, I aimed to try as much authentic cuisine as possible (that’s the case everywhere I go. I still don’t understand how some folks travel the world but only eat cheeseburgers. I have eaten Jamaican food in the States, but nothing like trying it where it originates from.

Multiple cuisine styles from different countries, including heavy African influences, are found in Jamaican food. Their national dish, saltfish and ackee, was delicious. Ackee is a prevalent fruit in Jamaica that must be used only when ripe, or it can be poisonous. It was brought to Jamaica from West Africa by the enslaved people. The dish comprises Ackee fruit, peppers, onions, garlic, thyme, onions, scallops, and cod (or saltfish as it’s known in the Caribbean). From a distance, the mixture reminds me of scrambled eggs.

Like back in the States, they sell oxtail, curry goat, and jerk meats, chicken and pork being the standouts. As I mentioned before, I have tried all these plates before, but here in Jamaica, they don’t tell the same story as eating them back home. Paired with rice and peas(beans), Jamaican dishes are delicious.

Of note, a good portion of its cuisine has different spice levels. Jamaicans love spice.

With all that being said, don’t forget Coco Bread, bammies, and festivals. Look them up; they’re delicious. The food often left a good impression of Jamaican cuisine.

Drinks

I tried Bob Marley’s cocktail in Jamaica and other cocktails like Purple Rain and Pina Coladas by the beach. Let’s not forget the excellent Rum Punch.

In addition to their cocktails, there is also Red Stripe beer. Jamaica’s beer. Very light and delicious. I also tried a few other drinks worth mentioning.

For started, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is amongst the best coffees I’ve tried in the world. Those who know me know that I’m a huge coffee person; a cup of coffee, or lack thereof, often predicts what kind of day I will have.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is delicious.

Ginger Beer was okay; it was too strong for my taste, but it is very popular in Jamaica. Sorrel, made from flowers, was excellent- much better than I would’ve expected.

Watermelon

Then there was “Water-melon”. It was not authentic in any way, but it was a daily offering at the hotel. Essentially, it’s watermelon-infused water. That’s all. For the sake of a corny joke, I named it Water-Melon. I know, it’s terrible.

National Brands

In terms of national QSR (quick service restaurants) brands, I did not see many here, which is good because it allows people to remain culturally bound by their dishes. But, in case you are wondering, Burger King, Starbucks, and Margaritaville, amongst a few other restaurant chains, are here. McDonald’s was here years ago, but they dropped the market. Primarily due to a lack of understanding of what Jamaicans crave for food.

But of all brands, KFC is king in Jamaica. Yes, you read that right; good ol’ Colonel Sanders is an institution with Jamaicans. I saw plenty of KFCs throughout the country, and they all had one thing in common: very long lines.

I had to try and see what the fuzz was about, so I went inside one, and guess what I encountered? A 15-minute line. But my wife and I patiently waited. So what is it about KFC that drives Jamaicans crazy for fried chicken? Is it valuable? Yes, Jamaicans always look for value in their meals. But that’s not the main reason why it drives sales. The seasoning, that’s it. The menu is mostly the same as the States, but the Jamaican-influenced rub was fantastic. It gave the chicken an all-new flavor. I’ll never forget it.

Back home, I recently ate some KFC and surely missed that Jamaican spice.

With that being said

I will tell you this to sum up my culinary impressions of Jamaica. No matter where you look, food surrounds you in Jamaica, and you won’t miss out on some great food. You can’t go to Jamaica and not try their cuisine. Hotel food, even if labeled “Jamaican,” will never be the same as real Jamaican food. So go out and eat.

Third Impressions – Activities

One good look online: things to do in Jamaica will give you plenty to see and do. I am only mentioning a few based on what I did in Jamaica.

Zip Lining, ATV offroading, horseback – Chukka Caribbean Adventures

I booked a tour with Chukka that comprised a few activities. Zip-lining over the Dunn River Falls is pretty neat, although slightly terrifying since I wouldn’t say I like heights—horseback riding through the countryside, the ocean, and some neat ATV offroading.

Lunch was provided by Margaritaville. It was relatively inexpensive for everything it included. The service was excellent. The staff were all local Jamaicans, showing off their beautiful country.

Glistening Waters

My wife and I went to Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth—the world’s only consistent bioluminescent waters due to their high concentration of millions of dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms that light up.

I didn’t try the food or drinks; I went there for one purpose. And if you think I took the 45-minute boat tour to see the critters light up the water, then you are incorrect. I also wanted to swim with them at night, in the dark. Call me crazy, I know.

The water was cold and dark when you stayed still, but when you moved your arms, it lit up, and the critters warmed up the water. Rather fascinating. And although we only had ten minutes in the water “to swim,” I was okay with 5 minutes.

Our boat guide told us legend has it that the mineral-rich waters have secondary effects on those who swim in them. Depending on your gender, you get a different outcome. For women, it is said that they become far more beautiful and look younger.

As for the men, well, it is said that the man’s gun grows in size. I’m going to have to ask my wife on that one.

Dunn River Falls

A trip to Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios cannot be missed if you are ever in Jamaica. It is a one-of-a-kind ascend of the falls via a human chain that starts you at the end of the falls by the beach and brings you to the top of the falls, where it steadies into the river.

It’s not for the faint of heart and requires patience and some good water shoes, but it can be done. Indeed one of a kind; check it out.

Rose Hall

The magnificent Rose Hall and Plantation. Perhaps Jamaica’s most famous residence. The story has it that Annie Palmer killed three men here. One of the in-house enslaved people murdered her on-site, and now it is said she haunts the grounds. They call her the White Witch.

You can visit the grounds during the day and visit the museum. Or take a nighttime ghost tour and see if you are lucky or unlucky enough to come face-to-face with the witch. Either way, you will get a tour guide to provide you with a history lesson.

I took the ghost tour. Without spoiling anything, it was great and scary.

These few things left me with some good impressions of Jamaica, its history, and its people.

Fourth impressions – Two destinations, one country

Jamaica, while small in size, is a beautiful country. Unfortunately, most tourists go to all-inclusive destinations and stay there. I’m guilty of spending one day at the hotel doing precisely that. Relaxing at the pool or under the sun, and while that does, work as intended. That’s one destination and not authentic Jamaica. To experience it, you must leave the resort.

I got out and saw enough of the country to see it for what it is in the real world—the True destination, the True Jamaica.

Depending on when you read this blog post, it might dictate a bit of what’s presently happening on the island in terms of politics. As of this writing (May 2023), the travel advisory is at Level 3. Reconsider travel due to high crimes. When I went in 2022, it was at Level 1.

Like the rest of the world, stay up to date before you go international.

Montego Tour

When you take a right turn from the airport instead of going to the resorts but heading towards Montego Bay, you will see a slice of what real Jamaican life looks like. Montego Proper has hotels and attractions but is mainly relegated to the seaside by its cruise port. Or past the airport, away from the city.

But, when you head straight into downtown Mobay, or Jamaica’s second city, as natives call it, you’ll see authentic Jamaica and not all-inclusive Jamaica. Kingston is Jamaica’s capital and principal (first) city. Montego Bay area, along with nearby Negril, constitutes the main tourist area of Jamaica.

At a glance, as I started seeing the suburbs and local roads, I immediately compared it to many of the poorer rural areas of Puerto Rico: building styles and all. This is a tangible reminder that not everyone is fortunate; some are blessed with prosperity, while others have dealt with challenges since birth.

As part of a tour that took us to Montego, we visited Saint James Parish church, the oldest church in Montego Bay, which started in 1774 as the principal Anglican church in the parish. The church has furniture dating up to 300 years old.

If I’m confusing you, Parishes act like individual states in Jamaica. Like here in the USA, we have 50 states, and Jamaica has 14 parishes.

The Square

After the church, we stopped at Sam Sharpe Square, the city’s central hub.

Who was Sam Sharpe? Short for Samuel, he was an enslaved person who led a Rebellion in 1831-1832 for their freedom. He is considered a Jamaican hero, and his face adorns the $50 Jamaican banknote (or bill).

You’ll also find the Montego Bay Cultural Center at the Square, a Jamaican history and art museum. I didn’t go in, for it was late in the day.

From the Square, I witnessed the local population live its daily routines. I stood there and calmly watched the population do its thing. The people were busy, upbeat, and constantly on the move, and I was absorbing it all.

Respect

From my experience, Jamaicans can be very direct with their words; as expected, someone will approach you. Some folks would try to sell us things in the street and other places throughout the country. But a simple, I’ll pass. Thank you for your time. It’s good enough.

Your response will most likely be ” Respect,” with a potential fist bump. Jamaicans are big with respect and value each other’s time. So when you show them you value theirs, they’ll respect you for it. And leave you alone.

In a situation like this, don’t pay too much attention to yourself, show off money, or act very touristy. The population knows you are not from the island, so don’t flaunt it.

Our tour guide took us through the back roads and showed us their town. There are clear areas where the people with money live and the poorer run-down neighborhoods. Don’t forget the forbidden slums and projects that are off limits—often guarded by national militia—the same for cops in town with machine guns in their hands.

This city tour of Montego gave me an excellent impression of what life is like behind the scenes in real Jamaica, away from the resorts.

It made me realize that every country has good and real sides. And when traveling internationally, never veer off the path by yourself, for you don’t know what you’ll encounter.

Fifth and final impression – The vibe

No matter how you phrase it. No matter where you go, the people make the place. This stands true in Jamaica.

Jamaican Patois

During my travels in Jamaica, including this visit, I experienced plenty of Jamaican Patois being spoken. Jamaican Patois is essentially a dialect to us, but to them, a native language—a Creole type of dialect. It is commonly spoken throughout the country.

Some words and phrases are:

I kept trying to catch and decipher these phrases as I did my thing. I made it a game of sorts.

In the process, I caught myself learning a few words and phrases.

• “Mi Soon Come” — I’ll be right there.
• ‘Weh yuh ah seh’ –What are you saying?
• ‘Small Up Yuhself’ – make room.
• ‘Inna di morrows’ –See you later or tomorrow.
• ‘Wah Gwaan’—— casual greeting (what’s up).

The humble truth was that it was fascinating to see the culture alive.

The People are the Music, and the music is the Vibe

Have you ever heard of Jamaican time?

Or the phrase, “No problems, only situations.”

How about the Bob Marley song?”Everything is gonna be alright.”

All of these allude to Jamaicans’ laid-back, relaxed attitude- or the vibe, as I call it.

The people here operate on their own slice of time.

Let me tell you something about the vibe: It was there on that one Wednesday when I decided to go into full vacation mode.

I was at the poolside with a perfect Blue margarita in hand; my wife had a “Smoochie,” a made-up coffee liquor drink by one of the bartenders. There we were, staring at the people as they smoked their plants(marijuana is also normal there) at the beach, all the while forgetting all about the world, its worries, and life responsibilities: a cool breeze brought peace, the sun provided warmth, and the laid back Caribbean music playing in the background contributing to a pure state of relaxation unlike any I’ve had in a long time. Ya mon, I knew I was in Jamaica.

One Love

Everywhere I looked, there it was: the people, the music, the vibe as if we were living in an alternate time zone. No matter where you go, you feel the music in its people, food, drinks, language, and culture. I learned that Jamaican people are proud of their island and heritage; I witnessed this everywhere I went.

Heritage and culture are things that transcend barriers. Jamaican culture is known worldwide. Since I was a kid, I was always absorbed in its music and its beat.

And after visiting Jamaica, I finally understood. All of my impressions of Jamaica are tied to one thing. To its people, Jamaica is not just an island.

It’s a feeling.

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‘Inna di morrows.’