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What Language Is Spoken
In Jamaica?
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What Are The Average Temperatures
Day And Night?
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| How Often
Does It Rain? |
| What Clothes
Are Suitable? |
| What Currency
Is Used In Jamaica? |
| What Is The
Current Conversion Rate? |
| Can I Pay
With Us Dollars? |
| Where Can
I Change Money? |
| Is It Safe
To Drink The Water In Negril? |
| What Are
The Typical Jamaican Foods? |
| What Kinds
Of Restaurants Can Be Found In Negril? |
| Is One Allowed
To Drink Alcohol In Public Or While Riding In A Vehicle? |
| Can I Check
My Email Or Send Messages When In Negril? |
| Are There
Music Events In Negril? |
| What Is The
Shopping Like? |
| Are There
Doctors, Or Is There Medical Support In Negril? |
| How Bad Are
Mosquitos? |
| How Safe
Is It In Jamaica? |
| Are Drugs
Legal In Jamaica? |
| Is Tipping
Done, Is It Expected? What Is The Usual Percentage? |
| How to
reserve your day of choice for an expedition? |
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| What Language Is Spoken In Jamaica? |
Jamaica's official language is English,
although Patois is the dialect most Jamaicans use on a
day to day basis among themselves, or with long time visitors.
It may sound lightning fast, but if you listen carefully,
you¹ll pick up the gist of it. And never hesitate
to ask to have something repeated, or to have it ³slowed
down.²
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| What Are The Average Temperatures Day
And Night? |
Temperatures remain fairly constant year
round on the West Coast. Mid to high 80's up into the
low 90's by day, nights drop down into the mid to low
70's most months. December through February may drop a
little bit more, prompting some people to feel a need
for a light wrap if outdoors. Humidity is highest August-October.
Imagine what it feels like to be in a suana or greenhouse
- that¹s Negril in the summer! But, there is always
a cool breeze down by the water.
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| How Often Does It Rain? |
Jamaica is in the tropics, so rain can
be a frequent visitor to the island. You may encounter
some days when rain does not occur, but for the most part,
expect it (especially during the summer) and enjoy it!
Tropical rainstorms are most often intense, brief (only
and hour or two long) and can bring a cooling relief from
the humidity. Often referred to as "liquid sunshine"
the rains are what keep the island so lush and green.
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| What Clothes Are Suitable? |
| Think light - as in lightweight, drip-dry
cotton or synthetic silk separates (shorts, T-shirts,
tank tops, skirts or sarongs.) Sandals, bathing suits,
and a hat to will be your typical daily attire. You could
survive by night in the same type clothing, but you may
want to pack a set of evening wear. No glitter, sequins
or coats and ties in Negril! Just a pair of trousers and
polo shirt or button down shirt for men, a sun dress or
skirt for the ladies. If you're planning to do any hiking,
you may want to throw in a pair of sneakers, and many
people bring water shoes or strap on rubber soled sandals
(TEVA type?) if they're going to be doing any snorkeling
or climbing on rocks when on a day trip to the waterfalls. |
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| What Currency Is Used In Jamaica? |
Jamaican currency is called the Jamaican
dollar, or "J" for short. It comes most often
in bills (1000J- 500J-100J-50J) and four main types of
coin ($20J - $10J - $5J - 1J).
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| What Is The Current Conversion Rate? |
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The currency fluctuates minimally on a week to weekbasis.Check
the following site (or one of your favorites) for the
current conversion rate at the time of your departure:
http://www.xe.net/ucc
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| Can I Pay With Us Dollars? |
| Just about everyone will accept US dollars
in place of Jamaican currency. The problem may be in getting
change. Not all businesses, especially the smaller ones,
will have enough change in US currency, and will need
to give you Jamaican dollars instead. There should be
no problem with this - just be sure to check and see what
the current conversion rate is, and whether or not the
establishment will give you the same rate, or close to
it. Traveller's checks can be cashed in any bank or cambio;
there may be a small fee to do so. Large hotels and tourists
restaurants, and souvenir stores in the main shopping
plazas will often accept credit cards (Mastercard and
Visa), - some will charge a 6% fee to use the credit card,
some will not. Always ask and then decide if you want
to use the credit card or not. Some banks have ATM machines,
dispensing Jamaican dollars, US dollars, or both.
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| Where Can I Change Money? |
| Banks (open Monday-Friday) and Cambios
(open Monday -Sat) will give the best rate of exchange,
but the hotels will also change money for you, although
the rate of conversion is often lower. |
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| Is It Safe To Drink The Water In Negril? |
| Jamaica's water is perfectly safe to drink,
no need for boiling, but bottled water is also sold everywhere
for those that prefer it.
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| What Are The Typical Jamaican Foods? |
| Breakfast usually consists of ackee and
saltfish (often compared to a moist scrambled egg with
shredded salted cod, onions and maybe a touch of bell
pepper), accompanied by boiled green bananas, fried or
boiled dumplings, and Johnny cake (a fried sweetened bread).
You may also encounter cornmeal porridge or peanut porridge,
and of course, a variety of local fruits in season. Blue
Mountain coffee is available, and is considered by many
to be one of the world's finest coffees.
Lunches and dinners will just about always have chicken
or fish on the menu, or stewed beef, curried goat, and
soup. Side dishes may include calaloo (similar to spinach)
or cabbage, and "rice and peas" (rice and
red beans cooked in coconut milk.) Boiled yams (not
the North American sweet potato), boiled dumpling and
boiled green bananas may be served.
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| What Kinds Of Restaurants Can Be Found
In Negril? |
Food establishments range from small snack
and pastry shops to small local eateries to large tourist
restaurants. Filling snacks of patties (pastry wrapped
around a meat or vegetable filling, then baked or fried),
bun & cheese (sweet bun and processed cheese wedge)
or jerk chicken are readily available and considered "fast
food" for those on the go. Restaurant fare varies,
and one can find French, Italian, Chinese, and American
cuisine, although all come with a Jamaican twist.
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| Is One Allowed To Drink Alcohol In Public
Or While Riding In A Vehicle? |
| You may walk on the beach with a drink,
although it is not advisable to do so on the street. You
will need to keep your cup or bottle with you when done,
and dispose of it in the proper trash bin, which is not
always easy to find. Being drunk in public is considered
"low class" and not something you will often
see among the local population.
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| Can I Check My Email Or Send Messages
When In Negril? |
Internet cafes or centers are opening up
around Negril - just ask and you will be directed to one.
Here, you can send and receive email, send or receive
faxes, make phone calls. |
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| Are There Music Events In Negril? |
| Nightlife happens seven nights a week in
Negril. Live music can be found on a rotating basis at
Alfred's Ocean Palace, Risky Business, DeBuss, and Roots
Bamboo. Music ranges from reggae to dancehall tunes; all
on open air stages, with plenty of sand to dance in, the
sound of ocean waves gently lapping the sand, just steps
away. A small entrance fee usually applies...currently
about $1.50US per person.
For those who prefer recorded music, the Jungle NightClub
pumps hard-core dance tunes Thursday through Sunday.
Cover charge is $10US each. Occasional folkloric shows,
fire-eaters, limbo dancers and jugglers also pepper
the night scene. Big name reggae artists perform seasonally,
in and around town. Ask, and you'll be pointed in the
right direction.
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| What Is The Shopping Like? |
Shopping is available from craft stalls,
both on the street and at the two craft markets. Something
to catch your interest will also be found in tourist souvenir
shops, and duty-free stores. Woodcarvings, straw goods,
indigenous art, perfumes, watches, and jewelry are available.
One can also buy an array of cooking spices and sauces,
Blue Mountain coffee, rums and liqueurs, and cigars. Jamaican
music is available on CDs or cassette tapes.
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| Are There Doctors, Or Is There Medical
Support In Negril? |
| The Negril Minor Emergency Medical Clinic
always has a doctor on staff if needed. Payment may be
made in cash or with credit card. There is a small hospital
25 minutes away in the parish capital of Sav-la-mar. Pharmacies
can be found in different shopping centers in Negril,
although it is best if you bring your own prescriptions
with you. |
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| How Bad Are Mosquitos? |
| Mosquitoes can definitely be a nuisance.
Avoid being bitten by carrying and wearing a GOOD repellent
- bring it with you! Apply it liberally in the early evenings
or after rain. Mosquito coils can be purchased anywhere,
and burn in your room like incense, they are highly effective.
If you have a net and want to bring it with you, you may
find a way to hang it.
Sand flies or sand flies (same thing) are present the
beach at dusk- they are basically invisible, sting when
they bite and can leave a long-lasting, itching bite.
The mosquito repellent will work on these creatures
also. Some people are not bothered by them at all.
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| How Safe Is It In Jamaica? |
Jamaica's violent image "outside the
resort walls" is vastly exaggerated. Much of the
trouble one may hear about is restricted to areas within
the city of Kingston, or in areas that tourists will never
see. You are on vacation, but that doesn't mean you should
leave your brain at home - take the same precautions you
would in any foreign city...don't flaunt your money, don't
walk alone in dark areas at night, don't drink and smoke
and party until you are no longer aware of who you are
or where you are, don¹t take off to parts unknow
with someone you don¹t know, and you should be fine!
We at Talk Of The Town Tours would never go where we ourselves
or our families would be in danger, so you can count on
the fact that you will always be safe with us.
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| Are Drugs Legal In Jamaica? |
| Ganja (marijuana) is illegal to possess,
use or export and tourists are just as able to be prosecuted
as Jamaicans are. If you are going to smoke, be discrete,
and do NOT travel with it if you move around on the island.
Life is too short to experience an anxiety attack in one
of the many routine roadblocks that appear on the Jamaican
roads.
Cocaine is another drug of choice for many young tourists,
but it too is illegal - the same rules for ganja apply
to this drug too.
If not one to indulge in drugs, simply say "No
thank you" when approached and keep walking.
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| Is Tipping Done, Is It Expected? What
Is The Usual Percentage? |
Some restaurants automatically add a 10-15%
service charge to your bill, no other tip is required
in this case. Wages are exceptionally low in Jamaica,
and the cost of living is high. Many employees depend
on tips to feed their families. Tip for services well
done, for information that has been a help, for what you
would be happy to receive a tip for if you were the one
providing the service. But, never tip because you feel
obligated to do so. And never underestimate the power
of a REAL smile and a GENUINE "thank-you" and
an explanation of what it is that you appreciated. A non-monetary
tip may not fill the pocket, but it can fill the heart.
Everyone likes to know that his or her work is appreciated
and noticeable.
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| How to reserve your day of choice for an expedition? |
The more advance notice we have, the more time we have
to plan together and the better chance you have of scheduling your trip on
the day that fits you. Please e-mail ahead for best choice of booking on
the day you desire or to check availability. Should you have children,
please let us know how many and their ages, prices here on the list will be
lowered depending on the age of the children.
In order to reserve the day of your choice on our calendar,
we respectfully request that you wire a $50 deposit per each day (NOT
per person or per couple if in a group) you request. For roundtrip airport
transfers, we will split the $50 and apply half to your pickup date and half
to your departure date. The deposit will be taken off the total price of your
trip at the end of the day's travel. We will give you the information on how
best to do this once we have worked together to finalize your plans. The
deposit is most easily sent through Xoom.com or Western
Union. You will receive an email receipt from the
company you choose to deal with, and tracking number for
the deposit. Upon receipt of the deposit here in
Jamaica, we will email you a confirmation form with all
trip details that can be printed out and kept with your
other travel documents. This will act as a receipt from
us.
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