Honeymoon and Vacation

[Smitty8612]

My wife and I just got married on July 6. We will be going on our honeymoon in late September to Jamaica. Wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions on what to do while there? Our resort is an all inclusive and a lot of the attractions are included in our package, just need to schedule a time to do them. Just looking to see what is a must do!

We are also going to New York City mid October...planning to visit 9\11 memorial, Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Times Square...I am big on local foods and must eats. Just looking for other suggestions on where to visit and eat!

Thanks in advance!

[Welder1]

Congradulations sir. Can't speak on Jamaica but will say that while in New York take the fairy to Liberty Landing. My wife and I got engaged there. Excellent restaurant with the best view of Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. Dined there tonight. Tenderloin was amazing.

[Texas Star]

Frankly, I would avoid Jamaica. The part of that that I can post here pertains to their absolute zero tolerance for guns. I read somewhere that they'll throw you in their filthy prisons if they catch you with even one round of ammo that ypu didn't realize was in a suitcase.

Ditto for Mexico and the Bahamas. And NYC may not be much different.

I do know one girl who went to Jamaica and got back okay. She and her husband liked it, but she said that it's best not to stray from the better hotels.

Just out of curiosity, did you consider Costa Rica, Brazil or Argentina?

[Marshwheeling]

I have been to Jamaica several times, but not in the last 20 years or so. I always stayed at Negril, on the west end of the island, and avoided the all-inclusive resorts in favor of locally-owned hotels along the beach. By now, I am sure there are a lot more of the former, and the place is quite a bit more developed.

Of course there is crime there, and as in any third-world venue, tourists are likely targets, as they are more likely to have something worth stealing. But I have never been mugged there, held up, or lost anything to theft. I was always advised to stay clear of Kingston, and have never been there. The odds of anything really bad happening are actually quite slim. I'd feel better walking the streets at night there than I would in some neighborhoods of Saint Paul. There are neighborhoods there to avoid as well.

One place worth visiting is Treasure Beach, a hotel on the south shore that is frequented by Europeans, which, when I was there, meant beautiful and friendly young French and Swiss women. (I know, it's your honeymoon, and I was always with my girlfriend, but it doesn't hurt to look.)

Get some jerk pork. The best I had was at a place called De Bus, Jamaican for "The Bus", after a derelict blue school bus that resides on the grounds. Get some conch stew, and get some lobster at Erica's, or maybe some monkfish.

[Smitty8612]

@Texas Star, we considered many options. From Australia, Europe, Jamaica, Punta Cana, etc....Jamaica is where we decided to go for this adventure as some of our family had been there and had nothing but good things to say. As for having ammo, guns etc...I am not too worried that my brand new luggage receieved as a gift from the wedding is going to have anything in it. If I were packing my hunting bags, i would need to xray them to be sure everything was out.

@Welder1, that sounds like a great idea. We will give it consideration! I hate the big cities, but love seeing their skylines!

[Budasac]

Where in Jamaica are you going? My sister worked at Sandals and lived in Montego Bay for a few years. If you're going to Negril be sure to catch a cab to Rick's Cafe for sunset/happy hour one night. (And make sure you set the price with the cabbie BEFORE you leave)

If you wanna get a little funky, grab a day pass to Hedonism.

[usm1rifle]

Well, I remember what I did on all three of my honeymoons...

Anyway congratulations and what a great day! July 6 is when I was born.

[gfy1960]

Congrats. We were married on July 6 twenty three years ago.
Have fun.

[vigil617]

Congrats, from a three-time veteran.

Haven't been to New York City in years, but whenever I went, I always enjoyed going to little restaurants in Little Italy and Chinatown. Authentic as it comes, and a great way to sample the diversity of the city.

I don't like big cities either, as a general rule, but at the same time, there is a special feeling about walking around in the midst of it all and just soaking up the atmosphere and how different it feels.

I was there at Christmas one year, and visited the area around Rockefeller Center, and the huge tree they erect there next to the skating rink. A nice memory, that.

[sipowicz]

Originally Posted by Smitty8612

We will be going on our honeymoon in late September to Jamaica.

We are also going to New York City mid October...

Thanks in advance!

Why not kill two birds with one stone and vacation in Jamaica, Queens. Here's a a beauty shot from my vacation there last year.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Why not kill two birds with one stone and vacation in Jamaica, Queens. Here's a a beauty shot from my vacation there last year.

I thought you got thrown out of New York???

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Why not kill two birds with one stone and vacation in Jamaica, Queens. Here's a a beauty shot from my vacation there last year.

The best Jamaican patties, though, are in the Bronx, 225 th St and White Plains Rd.

[Ivan the Butcher]

While on a cruise we had an excursion and climbed the Dun River Falls, and some of the people swam and petted the dolphins. It was very touristy but hey, you need some photos you can show in mixed company. Congratulations and hope you have many second honeymoons with your beloved. Ivan

[slickracer]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Frankly, I would avoid Jamaica. The part of that that I can post here pertains to their absolute zero tolerance for guns. I read somewhere that they'll throw you in their filthy prisons if they catch you with even one round of ammo that ypu didn't realize was in a suitcase.

Ditto for Mexico and the Bahamas. And NYC may not be much different.

I do know one girl who went to Jamaica and got back okay. She and her husband liked it, but she said that it's best not to stray from the better hotels.

Just out of curiosity, did you consider Costa Rica, Brazil or Argentina?

The rule in Jamaica is...don't leave the resort!

[Hack]

Originally Posted by slickracer

The rule in Jamaica is...don't leave the resort!

What he said.

Went there back in 2009, stayed at Grand Lido Braco. Very nice resort. Great food, great booze, outstanding room service. Beautiful beach and pool.

Left the resort one time, and that was a combo shopping trip and Dunn River Falls excursion. Touristy.

I wouldn't drive anywhere. The roads and the drivers are bad. As in fatal bad.

Your resort may be all inclusive, but everyone else will have their hand out. If I ever went back, I would just plan to sit on the beach or poolside and chill.

Oh.... Ganja. Everywhere. Everyone wants to sell you 'something'. Including the guy who is driving your bus. I had one dude follow me out to the bus from the airport hospitality room. Had quite a time convincing him I wasn't interested. BTW: it's illegal in Jamaica. But everywhere.

Good Luck.

[Stevens]

Sad the way Jamaica, and lots of other places, have gotten so dangerous. I remember spending a New Years Eve down there many years, ago bar hopping past midnight in down town Kingston, driving (on the wrong side of the road) all over the area lots of fun with no problems. That said lots of people go there and have a great time at the beach resorts. Don't go looking for the "quaint" places the locals go! As someone else said don't even think about bringing a gun or ammo or anything else illegal.
Steve W

[cavsix]

On the other hand, my wife and I honeymooned in Barbados, a clean country that speaks excellent English. Independent since 1966, they love Americans and despise the British. You'll get a fair exchange rate, a fantastic helicopter tour, and a great flying fish sandwich. Look out for the traffic, as they persist in driving on the wrong side of the road. Broccoli has been outlawed there.

[Brucenterry]

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

While on a cruise we had an excursion and climbed the Dun River Falls, and some of the people swam and petted the dolphins. It was very touristy but hey, you need some photos you can show in mixed company. Congratulations and hope you have many second honeymoons with your beloved. Ivan

+1 on Dunns River Falls. Been to Jam 2x, not bad if you stay in resort or w/ the tour. Congrats!

[Stu1205]

China Town, and Little Italy.