What
language do Jamaicans speak?
Jamaica's official language is English, but Patois is the conversational
dialect most Jamaicans use on a day-to-day basis. Patois is
basically English with poor grammar combined with unique Jamaican
words. Many Jamaicans tend to also speak quickly, which makes
the Patois even harder to understand at times. Jamaicans love
to show off their Patois and here are some examples of Patois
phrases
"Mi a-go lef today"
Translation: "I am leaving today
"Dat is fe mi bredda"
Translation: "That is my brother"
"Dis cyar is fe mi own"
Translation: "This car is mine"
"All a dem a me fambly"
Translation: "All of them are my family"
"She a mi bess fren"
Translation: "She is my best friend"
"How yuh nyam so much."
Translation: "How do you eat so much."?
"Tanks fe de glass of ice wata"
Translation: "Thanks for the glass of ice water"
"Im jook mi inna mi yeye"
Translation: "He poked me in the eye"
What time zone is Jamaica
in?
Jamaica is located in Eastern Standard Time and does not observe
daylight savings time (therefore it is one hour earlier here
during the summer)
What is the temperature
like in Jamaica?
Temperatures during the day basically stay the same year round.
The mornings are usually in the low 80's and it will climb into
the high 80's and low 90's during the afternoon. When one is
in the shade, the temperature drops considerably. During the
winter months (December - March) the temperature at night often
drops into the low 70's. The temperature during the summer nights
is usually in the high 70's.
When is the rainy season
in Jamaica?
The tropical climate of Jamaica can bring rain in any month,
but most rain occurs during the summer months of May - October.
Rain comes in heavy downpours and usually lasts for short periods
of time. We are always thankful for rain. It is what makes our
country so green and lush. It is also important to our farmers.
Most welcome the rain to take a break from the sun and catch
up on some afternoon sleeping.
Which airport do I
fly into?
Fly into to Montego Bay. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours
to drive from Montego Bay to Negril. Do not fly to Kingston.
It takes approximately 4 hours to drive from Kingston to Negril.
What kind of clothes
will I need in Negril?
Negril is the Capital of Casual. Shorts, T-shirts and sandals
are all you need. Nothing fancy is needed. Bring one long pair
of pants and one light long sleeve shirt in case you want to
cover up for mosquitoes.
Can I use $US and
should I bring travelers checks?
The Jamaican $ and US $ are accepted everywhere. Most restaurants
and stores quote prices in both US $ and JA $.
Can I change money
at White Sands?
Yes.
How do I get around
Negril?
Taxicabs are the fastest way to travel around Negril. All cabs
are un-metered, so negotiate a price before you get in the car.
You can also rent bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and cars.
Can I drink the water
from the tap in my room?
The water in Jamaica is perfectly safe to drink from the tap
at the sink, but bottled water can be purchased at the hotel
if desired.
What is the drinking
age in Negril?
If you have to ask this question you need to bring your mother
with you when you order a rum and coke at our bar! The legal
age is 18 if you have to ask, but I have never seen anyone get
carded at a bar or restaurant. Most bartenders assume that if
you are mature enough to sit at a bar, chances are you are mature
enough to enjoy a drink.
Can I get Internet
access in Negril?
There are several Internet cafes in Negril, but if you bring your laptop you can connect wirelesly in our lobby.
What do tourists generally
do in Negril?
Most visit Negril to enjoy our fabulous beach, warm waters and
to forget about life for a bit. The great part about our ocean
is that it is shallow, so it is perfect for children or for
those who do not like pounding waves. Other more adventurous
travelers like to scuba, snorkel, jet ski, parasail, go on a
horse back ride, mountain bike ride, visit YS Falls, tour Black
River, visit the Appleton Rum Estate, Mayfield Falls or check
out the Negril Lighthouse. But if you really want to experience
Negril, talk to a Jamaican who you will meet on the beach. Offer
to buy him a drink and ask him about life. Jamaicans are never
short on giving opinions. This is something that a tourist will
not experience when they stay in the walled compound of an all-inclusive.
One of the most appealing aspects of staying at White Sands
is that you can interact with Jamaicans and feel a part of the
community. A far cry from the Disney like ambiance offered at
the all-inclusive hotel chains.
Can I see Reggae Shows
in Negril?
Depending on the time of the year, shows can occur almost every
night. The most popular places to visit for nightly reggae shows
are Alfred's Ocean Palace, DeBuss, and Roots Bamboo. All are
within easy walking distance along the beach.
Is there a golf course
in Negril?
Yes. The Negril Hills Golf Course. It is about a ten-minute
drive from the hotel and is an 18-hole course. Bring lots of
balls, the course is built around Jamaica's second largest morass
and when your ball lands in the morass, you can kiss it goodbye.
Is the Negril beach
topless/nude?
Negril is a topless beach, but not a nude beach.
Can my wife shop in
Negril?
White Sands is home to Negril's most popular store, Christines.
You will find works from authentic Jamaican artists and unique
products not seen anywhere else in Negril. Other than a shopping
experience at Christines, there are basically two types of shopping
in Negril, common tourist craft shops and duty free shopping.
The duty free mall is located on the beach road and carriers
all the fine jewelry and watches one could want. Craft shopping
can be done in the same complex.
Is there a hospital
in Negril?
Negril does not have a hospital, but there is a Minor Emergency
Medical Clinic located along the beach road. There is also a
doctor on call 24 hours a day. The nearest hospital is in the
town of Savanna-la-Mar, about a 25-minute drive from Negril.
There are several pharmacies in Negril, but bring your own prescriptions
Can I develop film
my 35mm film in Negril?
There are two film developing stores in Negril.
Is crime a problem
in Jamaica?
Jamaica's crime image is vastly exaggerated. Much of the trouble
one may hear about is restricted to areas within the capital
city of Kingston, or in areas that tourists will never see.
Blue-uniformed tourist officers walk the beaches and roads in
Negril should you ever have a complaint. Many tourists turn
off their brains when they go on vacation. Why? I don't know,
but let me give you some good examples. One of our guests once
rented a car. While at a bar somewhere in Negril he met a Jamaican
man and after a couple of drinks agreed to give the man, who
he had never met prior to that day, the keys to his rental car.
Go figure. How about this true story; a tourist gave a young
boy $200US and asked him to exchange it at a local cambio and
bring back the money. I'm not making this up. I could go on,
but you would just shake your head and laugh. The point of all
this is to remind you that when you are on vacation, no matter
how beautiful the country is, use your common sense. The rule
of thumb is that if you would not do something in your own town,
don't do it on vacation. Don't flash your money around, don't
walk alone in dark areas at night, don't consume so much alcohol
that you can't function, etc. Just use some common sense and
you will have a great vacation. That goes for any country you
visit, including traveling in your own country.
Is it legal to smoke
marijuana in Jamaica?
Marijuana, or ganja as it is known in Jamaica, is illegal to
possess, use or export. You will be prosecuted no differently
than a Jamaican if caught. That said, if you still choose to
smoke, be discreet, and do NOT travel with it if you move around
on the island. And if asked if you want to purchase drugs, just
say no.
What electrical current
is at the hotel?
Jamaica uses 110 volts and any electrical device you use in
the United States will work here. European products will also
work, but adapter plugs will be necessary to convert the device
to US standards.
Should I tip the maid?
This is the most common question that nobody likes to ask, but
everybody wants to know the answer to. Tipping is not required
but it is customary to express your thanks for a room that was
kept tidy during your stay, and always know your chambermaid
will greatly appreciate it. The second most asked question is
how much tip to leave? Again, there is no rule, but most guests
leave $2-$3US per day per room. If the chambermaid performed
cooking, then modify the tip, as you feel appropriate.
Is it possible to
get married at White Sands?
Getting married in Jamaica is easy and inexpensive. You have
to be on island for at least 24-hours. No blood tests are required.
Either call or send an email before you arrive so we can discuss
the arrangements with you. Generally, you will need to supply
the following: Proof of citizenship. Bring along a certified
copy of your birth certificate (one with a raised seal), which
includes your father's name. Parent's written consent if anyone
is under the age of 21. Proof of divorce (if applicable). Either
a certified copy or original Certificate of Divorce is required.
Copy of Death Certificate for widow or widower. If paperwork
is not in English, you'll need to have a notarized translated
copy of all documents and a photocopy of the original document.
It is a good idea to courier copies of your documents to us
so we can look it over and see if everything is okay. We can
also pass it to the pastor prior to arrival so he can look it
over. Don't forget to bring your original copies with you when
you arrive just so you have a complete set of documents.
What is the origin
of the country's name?
The name Jamaica was derived from the country's Arawak name
"Xaymaca", which means "the land of wood and water".
When did Jamaica become
independent from Britain?
August of 1962. Yep, that's right; Jamaica is only 40 years
old. Young compared to America, and a complete baby when compared
with European and Asian countries.
How large is Jamaica?
Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island. It is 146 miles
long from east to west and 51 miles at its widest point, from
north to south.
Are all Jamaicans
Rastas?
No, but this is what Hollywood would like you to think.
I have heard that
street vendors are aggressive and will insist that I buy something.
Is this true?
If you have ever been to an Italian craft market, then you kind
of know what to expect. Vendors wanting to sell all sorts of
wares will approach you, and you should always haggle for a
good price if you are interested in the service or product.
They expect you to. Remember, you are not at Nordstroms! The
asking price is only a place to start not end the sales process.
If you are not interested, just say No thank you and keep walking.
Most Jamaican salesmen can't fathom why you would not want to
purchase what they have to sell and can look at you as if you
are passing up an opportunity to purchase the Hope Diamond at
a bargain basement price. Remember step #2, just say No thank
you and keep walking if you are not interested in buying anything.
More importantly, have fun with it. I know of tourists who make
a total game out of it and bargain for a good price even if
they have no interest in the item. Kind of twisted don't ya
think? It is widely known that Jamaican vendors run from Italian
tourists because Italians know how to bargain better than Jamaicans.
I once saw a Jamaican vendor simply give an Italian tourist
a T-shirt just so the Italian would leave the vendor alone.
Now that is what I call an expert bargainer (Is 'bargainer'
a word?).
Should I rent a car?
I never recommend them, but there are plenty of car rental agencies
in Jamaica, including several in Negril. I don't recommend them
for many reasons; one is that cars are expensive. Also keep
this in mind, you drive on the wrong side of the road, on roads
less than perfect, with no street signs, and you will be so
excited to be in such a beautiful country that you probably
won't do a good job at watching where you are going. Oh, did
I forget to mention the goats and cows that like to walk in
the roads day and night? Do yourself a favor and hire a driver
to take you everywhere. You will get a clean car with a/c, a
driver who will double as your tour guide, and you can look
out the window and enjoy cold drinks until your heart is content!
For the price of renting a car, you can take a taxi anywhere
in Negril, multiple times a day, and still save money over the
cost of a rental. Leave the driving to Jamaicans, you will thank
me for this advice.
What documents do
I need to enter Jamaica?
US Citizens: A valid passport (no visa required) or an original
birth certificate with raised seal or naturalization certificate
or certificate of citizenship AND a state-issued photo I.D.
Canadian Citizens: A valid passport (no visa required) or a
"Statement of Live Birth" certificate AND a valid government
issued photo I.D.
Is there gambling
in Jamaica?
There are no casinos in Jamaica. A number of resorts, most notably
Coral Cliff Hotel in Montego Bay, have game rooms with slot
machines. The only legal betting is on the horse racing at the
Caymanas Race Track in Kingston.
Are ATM machines readily
available and what systems do they support?
Many of the major banks in Jamaica, including Scotia Bank and
National Commercial Bank are a part of the Cirrus system, so
participating cards will work on their dozens of machines across
the country. Bear in mind though that the ATMs dispense Jamaican
dollars, so you have to request cash in the Jamaican dollar
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