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Roadtrippin’ in Jamaica

West side Jamaica

Although April’s trip was a weekend warrior, it was not solo travel.  Mr. Smitty was able to tag along on this one for quite the road trip around the island country.  I’ll start off by saying, out of the places I’ve visited thus far, this did not make a top favorite.  I definitely get the appeal for many vacationers, but for me personally, it simply is not my scene.  That’s not to say there are not highlights along the way – cliff jumping, jungle waterfalls, beaches – even the blown out tire was quite the experience to navigate.

If I were to go back to Jamaica again, I’d do things slightly different.  For starters, I’d give the east side some more love.  This would include Kingston and the Blue Mountains National Park.  For this trip, we stayed on the west end in Negril.  And although a better beach town than Montego Bay, in my opinion, accessibility outside of Negril really became an issue.

But hey, I travel weird.  I’ll go to island countries and spend the majority on the interior.  Anywho, enjoy the video recap!

Logistics included flight, rental car and Airbnb.  Nice and easy weekend trip.

  • Flight RT to Montego Bay was paid for with Chase UR. I believe dollar value was $230.
  • Airbnb was $400
  • Rental ended up being $350 with the tire fiasco.

Due to point redemptions, total was around $750, or $375 per person for 3 full days.  Not bad!

Respect the Hustle

The first noticeable thing we picked up on was the hustle.  Anyone can be a taxi driver, a security guard, a bartender, a ganja businessman… the list goes on.  The best part was this practice extended to brick-and-mortar, too.  Any establishment can be whatever you want it to be!  They know you’re here on vacation and will work any angle to make a quick buck or get a free handout.  It’s just how it is.  Now don’t take that the wrong way as this was a small percent of everyone we met – they just stand out the most.  

The next realization was the number of shacks painted crimson red and advertising Campari.  Why?

I’m a huge fan of negronis and use Campari regularly.  Jamaica may not be on that negroni train, but they got another secret weapon.  Enter Campari Ting – the apéritif with grapefruit soda.  I was pleasantly surprised to see its popularity and even an entire campaign behind it.  Respect the bitter!

The Southern Roads

When I mentioned what I’d do differently, it should also include avoiding the southern roads as much as possible.  Although a lot of the best spots we went to – YS Falls, Scott’s Cove – were south, the roads are notoriously ridden with potholes.  And as the video shows, enough to cause a tire blowout.

Even with the tire problemo, we scooted along to YS Falls which was worth the $18 entry fee for what the place offered.  Apparently the amount of rain prevented swimming in the normally clear pools, but the raging rapids were just as amazing.  There was also a zipline and a spacious outdoor garden and park to have lunch under grandiose shady trees.  No better spot to spend a day.

On the way back to Negril, Scott’s Cove provided all the jerk pork, fish and chicken we needed.  Pounds of it.  We may have gone overboard.  But man was it tasty while watching the sunset over Seven Mile Beach.

Our cottage or estate?
Our cottage or estate?
YS Falls
YS Falls
Lots of rain the day before
Lots of rain the day before
All the JERK
All the JERK

Driving to Kingston

From Negril, we also made a drive to Kingston (after getting the tire repaired).  This time, we made sure to use the north roads, which are far superior. No potholes in sight.  The drive took about 3 hours from Negril and took us right into New Kingston district and Emancipation park.  There were a lot of mixed reviews of Kingston when asking locals if it was worth going to.  But the majority said to give it a go, but were hard-pressed for recommending anything specific.

Although we didn’t drive around Kingston in depth, I don’t think we needed to after the park and Devon House.  There are probably more choice spots for restaurants and the Bob Marley museum, but overall it’s a normal city.  I’m glad I went, but I also see why it would often be passed up.

Devon House
Devon House
Emancipation Park
Emancipation Park

Sunset Ending

There ya have it.  Jamaica with its beaches, hustlers, potholes and delicious jerk.  We stayed in Negril, but ended up driving roughly 75% of the main roads around the island.  We saw a lot and did as much as possible in 3 days from running a 10K on the beach to hitting 40ft cliff jumps.  I’m glad Smitty could join for the Jamaican experience and keep it true true.  Let’s keep the island vacations rolling!

-ML

Ends how it began

Recap of Places

Check out the MAP for links!

  • Negril
  • Scott’s Cove
  • Rick’s Cafe
  • Seven Mile Beach
  • YS Falls
  • Devon House
  • Emancipation Park
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Michael Lakus

IT professional, athlete, musician, ponderer of many things... Born and raised in Florida, I began traveling internationally after college. I created this site primarily to remind myself of where I've been and to share my experiences on traveling with a quirky, stress-free, travel attitude.
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