Jamaica Tours, Guides and Vacations

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Some pictures of birds and butterflies in Jamaica.

Red Billed Streamertail or the Jamaican Doctor Bird

Jamaican Oriole

Jamaican Kingfisher

Other Jamaican Birds and Wildlife

I have been considering a trip to another country just to see some new place with the kids. We have some travel time planned soon but no travel plans as of yet. i set the time and money aside to make certain we did make the trip but I have been very undecided about where I want to go. I have considered making the trip just to see some of the historical sites in Mexico such as Teotihuacan or some of the other ancient pyramids there or maybe a trip to South America somewhere like Costa Rica. I have a friend who just went there from Jamaica and he says its much nicer there. He seems to dislike Jamaica after having some hard times here.

I guess a part of things would be finances. I searched for mexico hotels online and found a lot of stuff available. I kinda prefer taking a locals tour and staying with friends or family but not knowing anyone in many of these places puts me at a disadvantage. I thought about a trip to Cuba and found some hotels in Cuba listed on EasytoBook.com but I don’t think I’ll make a trip there with the kids. I think my first trip to Cuba should be alone so I can get a feel for things before I drag the whole crew along. I understand travel to Cuba from Jamaica is a pretty simple hush hush thing and there is not much risk in getting caught. The Cuban government has an interest in us visiting and they don’t want us to get in trouble for it. I understand you can fly in on a State drivers license or passport and it will not be stamped.

EasytoBook.com turned out to be a very useful site with lots of hotels around the world. I can visit my buddy Ian and book a stay in some nicer Dublin Hotels at decent rates but i doubt it. He never answers my phone calls so why should I pay him a visit?

The Circle B Farm was my first choice for accommodation on our first night in the Ochi area because they were one of the few places we spoke with that still offered camping when we called them. Sadly that all changed when we arrived on site and were informed that the owner no longer offered camping because the bathroom and shower facilities outdoors were non functioning and all they had to offer us was a room for rent. The room was clean and simple and only cost $1500 for a nights stay so we took it and were glad we did. I liked the place so much we spent a second night there and enjoyed the place for another beautiful morning.

Circle B Farm is a hostel and farm operating on 140 acres of surreal beauty and lush tropical landscaping. The farm is predominately a banana farm with many other fruit trees on site such as the variety of mango and even a Giant Lemon which I have never seen or heard of before. The farm is busy but quiet for most of the day and if you stay at the rooms up front you may never know what lays in the property around you if you don’t take a walk. There are cows, goats, pigs, dogs and a donkey on site but the domestic animals are less important than the natural flora and fauna found surrounding the place. The farm has a small man made river which runs from the hillsides along the southern border and actually circles the entire facility. This running water and all the sweet smelling fruit trees keeps the area covered in butterflies, birds and insects of all sorts. The bats swirl around at night feeding on the flying insects trapped in the beams of light around the buildings at night for a pretty cool night show.

The stream runs in front of the hostel rooms for rent and around almost every building on site you can sit and peacefully enjoy the sounds of rushing water all day long from just about anywhere on the property. The running water and numerous fruit trees means that early mornings at Circle B are filled with the sounds of a dozen songbirds as they sing praise to the new day before us. One both mornings we were there it was true pleasure to stroll through the banana and pineapple fields and listen to the kingfisher and mockingbirds try to out sing each other. I’m going to need a much better camera in order to catch photos of many of the birds of Jamaica as I simply cannot get close enough to most of them for a decent shot but trust me when I tell you the air was thick with the sounds of birds and nature and it was beautiful.

Circle B is a great location to begin a number of eco tours of the area and central to the many attractions of the North Coast and Ocho Rios area. You can make it to Dunns River, White River Valley, the Bob Marley Mausoleum and much more in an hour or so from this place and its a great place for anyone interested in a youth hostel or camping vacation on the North Coast of Jamaica. For those budget minded travelers interested in tours of the North Coast and Ocho Rios but not wanting to spend more for a place to sleep then you will on the days activities then consider Circle B as a place to stay in your Jamaica travel planning.

E-mail them at: info@circlebfarm.com

or call them at: 1-876-913-4511

You can write to them at: Priory P.A., St-Ann, Jamaica W.I.

Make sure to tell them Alfred @ JamaicaMax sends his love and maybe you’ll get a special tour.

Finding vacation beach rentals or just simply a room in Negril is easy enough but finding a cool spot to chill by the beach at an affordable rate year round is a trick unless of course you know Joseph at Westport Cottages right on Norman Manley Blvd. If you know about his international hostel and affordable beach accommodations just across the street from Negril Beach then you know where to go for one of the best values in an inexpensive room in Negril.

Budget travelers from around the world call Westport home during their stay in Jamaica and many have returned annually for many years. Some are simple backpackers looking for a cheap room near the beach for the night but many others are long term guests visiting Jamaica and the Negril area for a month or more. Still others are simply budget conscious vacationers looking for quick easy access the the world famous 7 Mile Negril Beach with it’s pristine white sand , crystal blue seas and year round sunshine.

No matter where they are from I have met some of the most interesting people while staying at Westport Cottages and it seems something about the place attracts an eclectic if not fun crowd of guests to get to know. The place is quiet and clean with daily room preps from none other than “Sista” the head of housekeeping and grounds care. She’s a kind honest woman who makes sure you sleep on clean sheets and a well kept room.

The rooms are rather basic and just what you need if you plan on spending most of your time actually visiting Negril and the beach. If you looking for a plush air conditioned place with tv and lots of other stuff then look elsewhere. If you are looking for an inexpensive beach rental nearby Negril Beach with a laid back and super cool atmosphere then call Joseph at Westport Cottages or use the Contact Us page for more details on where to stay in Negril Beach.

Rooms for rent in Negril Beach at Westport Cottages

Shared kitchen area at Westport Cottages

We decided we wanted a vehicle and began looking for one over a month ago now. A new car was out of the question and the used car market here is pretty poor but I found that you can get a car here for as low as $1000 US and I figured what better way for us to get around than our own vehicle. As we started looking it became more apparent that what we really wanted was a van so we could go on our own tours and so we decided to spend the money and find a van for sale in Jamaica. Well there are loads of vans and buses for sale using the Gleaner Classifieds but as you can see the average price is above $500,000 Jamaican dollars or about $8000 US which was quite a bit more than we had to spend.

I found that you could find used cars for sale in Jamaica at lower prices but they go fast. There are used car dealerships in Jamaica in major cities such as Kingston, Montego Bay and even Mandeville but the market is more for newer cars in the 2003 and newer model years. I wanted to spend less than $200,000 or about $3000 US on a vehicle and I felt we should be able to buy a decent running vehicle at that price. You can forget finding anything like that at a dealership in Jamaica. It simply does not exist and most won’t even have a car on the lot under $350,000JA. I was however lucky to find a 1996 Nissan Vanette for sale in the Gleaner one morning at $220,000 and I jumped in a bus and ran to Kingston to buy it. It took me two weeks to do so but I finally bought a van for less than $200,000 and got it insured and registered in my name. Dealing with the motor vehicle transfer was much fun also. I had to have insurance on the car in my own name before I could register it. I was lucky that i bought the car from a nice Jamaica family and they had already taken care of much of the paperwork necessary. You will have to have the Title signed by someone form the Tax Collectorate, a Certificate of Fitness which seems to be like a vehicle inspection and Insurance which set me back $28,000JA. I bought a new set of tires for it just because I feel safer on them but we’re on the road finally.

I’ve had the van for about two weeks now and I have put over 2500 KM on it thus far in trips to Kingston, Sav La Mar and all over the South Coast and Westmoreland Parish. Buying a car in Jamaica is pretty easy actually and a great way to see the country. Learning how to drive a right hand drive stick shift van on the left hand side of the road was a whole different story and I was involved in a minor accident on my first drive home from Kingston. Some guy clipped the side of the van pulled the rear tail light off but I already had it fixed and I even went to court over my traffic ticket but pled guilty when the cop who pulled us was sitting next to the juge all buddy buddy like. I knew there was no reason to even argue the case and I accepted a fine of $4000JA for “Careless Driving” as I was blamed for being on the wrong side of the road on a road with no sides. Thats the way things go in Jamaica and I knew there was no sense in fighting it. I left the courthouse and drive to Roaring Rivers with the kids and had a blast. I love our van and so do the kids, maybe one day you’ll come for a ride with us here in Jamaica.

Traveling around Negril is actually fairly easy if you don’t mind hopping into a taxi cab. The number of taxi cabs and drivers baffles when you think about it sometimes. I would say over 80% off the traffic in Negril is Route Taxis and Private Cabs racing back and forth across the beach and cliffs searching for someone to give a ride too. If you chose to walk anywhere be prepared for every car that passes to honk their horn at you as they attempt to pick you up. Just ignoring them works fine on most occasions unless the driver stops alongside and chats it up. Your chose how to proceed but the easiest way to get off is tell them you have no money. Does not work well when you leave the bank, grocery store or a restaurant. I’ve told them I only ride in cars that I can drive and they leave with a puzzled look or laugh it up with you.

Route Taxis follow set routes around Jamaica and rates are normally $50JA for a short leg of any route. A trip from the roundabout to say Ricks should not be more than $100JA but $50JA would be a fair rate for a local to pay. You’ll find lots of cab drivers want to charge considerably more for trips around sunset but don’t be fooled into it. Route taxis can’t charge more than the standard rate for any route unless you hire the car as a private charter which is completely different. All route taxis are prominently marked with red license plates and white letters and should be considered safe as long as the proper driver is driving. Private taxi cabs usually offer a competitive rate for slightly nicer cars that bypass other pickups and carry you direct to your destination for a higher price. Always make sure to set the price and destination before you set off on your trip. Once you’re in the car and moving is not the best place to negotiate pricing for a ride. Make sure the driver is clear on where you want to go and confirm they know where it is. Don’t be surprised for a cab driver to tell you he knows the route to a destination when he has no idea where it is. He plans on finding out as he goes along and you may find yourself lost searching for your destination with a driver who has never been to the place you seek. Private cab drivers are most often entrepreneurs of all sorts and into many other side businesses. One recent ride in a private car with a guy had us witness him sell a dozen bootleg DVD movies from a rather healthy collection of what he called “di best movies in Jamaica mon”. I was tempted to grab a copy of the latest Harry Potter for $100JA but chose not to for some reason. He was offering a 6 for $500JA on that friday that was popular it seemed. He sold three sets from the beach to the room or about 10 minutes. He also had $400JA worth of Digicell phone cards for $300JA which was also very tempting but

Walking in Negril is a great way to get around but caution is advised. The roads all over Jamaica are pretty fast paced and narrow and walking on a road with no shoulders and traffic flying by you and your young ones may not be the way to go for everyone. Jamaican drivers are normally very skilled and taxi cabs, mini vans and even tour buses run around town like Formula One Racers but you’ll need to be careful on roads such as West End Road in the Negril Cliffs which twist and turns leaving a few blind corners where cars come pretty close to you when passing another car and you at once. The rain gulleys and unfinished shoulders make walking a hazard without the endless parade of vehicles on a busy day and getting around some areas is best done off hours or by car.

For those with the heart and legs for it riding a bicycle around Negril is just perfect. I brought a used dual suspension Pro Flex mountain bike, which I purchased for $200US in Ocala Florida, on the plane with us and was it worth the effort. I ride everywhere now and can shoot from the Lighthouse near the top end of the cliffs to the beginning of Negril Beach in just a couple short minutes. 24 speeds, big fat shocks and a semi cushy seat makes for some sweet riding anywhere in Negril and I’ve been off road and breaking new ground with the bike this trip. Sadly my camera is not keeping up and the SD card I brought has failed me so not so many pics as I would like right now but soon come. I’m on my way to Kingston for a shopping trip and the SD card is top of my list. Riding a bike is great but keep aware of the cars and impatient drivers on roads in Negril at least. it seems cyclists are frowned upon. I’ve used the bike to run trips to the beach and grocery. I also use it for exploring the many side streets and for getting to know the area a little better. I suggest to anyone that can bring a bicycle to Negril Jamaica and enjoy some great riding conditions and a super way to enjoy the city from a different view. Bringing a bicycle on AirJamaica was very easy for me and I even overloaded the box with a total of 72 lbs weight for one overweight charge of $75US. I brought the bike, my tent, my dive gear, a full size fishing pole and tackle box in one cardboard box and was glad I did.

Taking a bike back is easy enough but leaving one to some needy kid in the area would be an even better way to get to know people. I’ve been letting some of the local kids use the bike and I’m making friends with it. I don’t suggest you do so with anything you really care about because it can very easily be stolen from them or even by them. Understand a $200US bike is worth a lot to a hungry family and even the most honest kids can be tempted into things they would not normally do. It’s a calculated risk I take as I try to open relationships with some of the people around me and not for everyone. Some people can start to expect things from those that give often and it can be difficult to say no when you need to.

Now getting around Jamaica is another scene and I think maybe we’re going to look at buying a car in Jamaica as a tourist. I think for us to see all we want to see it will help for us to have our own car and with the prices of things it looks promising we’ll buy a car in Kingston soon. If so then we’ll be doing much more traveling and I’ll have lots more to show you about Jamaica and Negril.

This is our view from the front porch on the first morning in Jamaica. We’ve been in Negril for just over ten days now and it’s time I got some new photos and stuff up. These would be some of our first pictures here in Negril. It’s summer time of course and although the sun is hot the city life is pretty quiet. Not many tourists in town for the heat of summer so things are extra slow right now. Often times we find ourselves the only patrons of an establishment and some times they open up just for us. There is a good and a bad to that in that we are met by friendly faces but times are tough and everyone wants to make something from us.

We’ve gotten used to it quickly and a firm “No Thank You” covers almost everything. We got beat over a few meals because we didn’t think to ask about the price before we ordered some places. They’ll hit you hard at the end if they can and don’t be embarrassed to negotiate any check handed you. Times are tough all over and my money is best kept in my pocket. Jamaicans actually appreciate a good barter but have no love for a cheap person. If you can’t settle a deal they will probably curse you for wasting their time as if it were more valuable then yours.

Negril Beach in the summer is a beautiful thing and the sun shines down on us all day long here. The beach and water are our favorite spots so far and it’s been a lot of relaxing and chilling in the sun for us since our arrival. We’re slowly moving out and about and I have loads of more stuff to post about but a big part of our stay was the water fun for the kids. Our room at Heartbeat in Negril has an awesome view and the easy access to the beach and seas makes snorkel trips and frolicking in the water an easy activity for us all.

Our room does not have direct beach access and we are not on the famous Negril Beach. We’re currently at the base of the Cliffs of Negril and about a 2 minute cab ride at $150JA for the four of us. We do have a beach we can use that suits us just fine and it’s been a lot of fun for the kids to spend hours playing with some of the local boys on the beach. It’s behind a restaurant that seems more a late night bar but the day time crew at “On The Rocks” has been great. The beach here at Heartbeat is great but we much prefer the Negril Beach for a nicer cleaner beach with more activity and things to see. This beach is not maintained and some odd things are washed up on shore.

A Picture Perfect Day at Heartbeat in Negril Jamaica

One of the best things about Jamaica is all the natural beauty around us. On our 3rd morning in I got up a it earlier than usual and was able to catch a great Sunrise from the rocks outside our room. I was able to get a decent shot of the sun rising over the Negril Beach with the Mountains in the background that was just an awe inspiring thing to witness live. No camera can do the colors any justice and my amateur photography is not up to the task yet. I’m still learning the new camera and whats best to use in conditions like this but man it was worth waking up early thats for sure. It turned out to be a picture perfect day. I caught the sunrise, a trip to the beach for some fun in the sun with the kids, some beautiful snorkeling along the coast of Negril after a fabulous lunch of local cuisine and ended the day with a perfect Sunset from the vantage point of our room and the porch out front.

After the sunrise and a likkle brekfast we ran down to Negril Beach so the family could finally see the famous beach. It was pretty hot and we had things to do like hit the Hi Lo so we we’re not there very long. After the trip to Hi Lo we decided to have lunch at Jennys Restaurant just up the road from us as no one wanted to cook or wait for something to be cooked. We took the Brown Stew Chicken because it was ready and we wanted to try it. It’s become a favorite meal especially for the low price of $200JA per plate. A full meal consists of healthy portion of chicken served with rice and peas, cabbage and vegetables. My review of Jennys comes soon.

Later in the day the kids hit the beach and dad did a little snorkeling off up the coast and around the rocks near the hotel. The water s great and the kids are taking to the sun and sea better than expected. They both have a few extra bite marks from the bugs but we’re controlling it. The beach is close by and easy for them to swim and me to explore while still watching them. This is nearly the same spot as the sunrise pictures but looking back towards the beach.

The sea life around Negril is awesome and the short dive I took on our third day was great. The biodiversity near shore is still strong although I was disappointed in the number of game fish to be found. There are tons of tropical fish of all flavors and the pictures above are a small sample of the underwater photos I have been able to take. I’ve see a lot of things on snorkel trips around the cliffs here in Negril and I’m looking forward to taking the camera on some bigger dive trips as we go further off coast and into some deeper waters on a glass bottom boat soon. Their seem to be loads of juvenile tropical fish in the area with lots of small butterfly and other damsels. I was surprised to see a few Rock Beauty Angels and a Juvenile Queen Angel but my shots on those are shoddy. I need a weight belt for better motion control and shot consistency.

Juvenile French Angel off the coast of Negril Jamaica

Juvenile Banded Butterfly Fish

Pair of Banded Coral Shrimp