Safe Affordable Jamaican Travel

Jamaica is an exciting place and here are a few tips to help.

I’ve been asked recently by a single woman traveling alone about the best way to get around while exploring things to do in Montego Bay Jamaica and other top Jamaican tour sites like Dunn’s River Falls, all in 10 days and covering the whole island from Kingston and Negril and the South coast of Jamaica. She wants to see Ocho Rios on the north as well as Black River on the south, a 150 mile long island holiday adventure (Jamaica is about 150 miles long but it can take most of the day to cover it by bus). The way to make it affordable, fun and safe is to know the variety of ways to get around and how to ask for the best transportation option.

You begin with a Montego Bay airport transfer or Kingston airport transfer which could be with a large tour company like Sun Holiday Tours. These large buses service larger all inclusive hotels and other well established resorts. These can be booked ahead of time online or arranged by your hotel if you are a guest. If you are staying in a guesthouse, boutique hotel or hostel, a more flexible point-to-point option is to hire a taxi car service from in front of the airport. This has its hazards of high prices and lots of confusion at the airport door.

Lately there have been small independent companies like jamaican routes and Clive’s Transportation that are booking ahead of time like the big outfits and give you reliable service. The added benefit here is these local drivers will also act as a tour guide with lots of local knowledge who can makehidden gems appear before your eyes while under their protection or help you plan other options.

The inexpensive form of car travel is to get a route taxi. These are allowed to pick you up anywhere off airport property – a long walk or a short expensive ride from the approved airport guys. A route taxi is labeled as such on the door of the cab telling you which towns they drive between and can be as cheap as $1.00 for several miles (about $100 JA dollars at this time). These route cabs can take you anywhere, including the local bus stop, your inexpensive long haul option.

The buses service most of the working people of Jamaica and the school children in their uniforms, who will all welcome you aboard. You need to do a little asking around at the bus depots. Speak up, speak clearly and ask if you don’t understand the thick Jamaican Patois you will encounter. You will be helped to your seat and be packed in tight on the right bus.

Here’s another testimonial about a single woman’s adventure in Jamaica:

“I never felt unsafe, just use your common sense as every other place in the world. Be open and talk to people! I think you will find fun when it comes to dancing and vibe, it seems like the island is really great (according to the people I met and know who both live and have traveled all over the island).”

Jamaican Hidden Gems Require Local Knowledge

Often while traveling you want to find a hidden gem:one of those places you will never forget, the one with the amazing view, intimate privacy or the happening local gathering place. It is a very satisfying feeling and makes you feel like you are in the right place at the right time.

I have stumbled upon such places but more often than not it has come about with the help of a local friend I have made or taxi driver I have trusted.

When travelling to Jamaica many fellow travellers surveyed tell similar stories. A bonus is, when looking for things to do in Montego Bay for instance, you will also be protected from price gouging and worse. The chance of being hustled is often eliminated as well.

Local language – Patois

When visiting Negril many years ago I remember spending more money in the first two days of my vacation than I did the remainder of the 14 day trip! Once you learn what things cost and how to ask for it with a little touch of patois thrown in like – “Mi ere fi pay de local rate an y’ dun kno!” (I’m here to pay the local price and that’s all you need to know!) you are good to go on your own.

Hiring a Jamaican taxi and tour business like found at Jamaican Routes is and easy way to find your local friend and tour guide even for a first time visitor. It doesn’t matter if you arrive at the Montego Bay airport (Sangster international ie., MBJ) just needing an airport transfer, or if you then ask your driver, Denton Gabby Martin, about things to do in Negril or about heading to Ocho Rios, YS Falls, and the Bob Marley museum, or about how to say “what’s happening man” (“wappen dada”) you will benefit from the experience.

Most drivers you find on the side of the road can be helpful, most Jamaicans are, but there will be lots of haggling and you may never know if the price is as reasonable as it can be with an established transport company. Another hidden gem is one of the featured tours I know about. Morgan’s Harbour, a new location which has been under construction for many years and has the special feel of a private resort. Across the street from the Sea Garden Beach Resort I discovered this “gem” with Gabby last year. The pictures tell the story and no doubt you can believe there have been many relaxing days spent here and are now waiting for you to enjoy.

About and hour west of Montego Bay there is another place with special charm not far from Dolphin Cove, which is a popular place to swim with the dolphins. Half way from Montego Bay to Negril is the parish of Hanover where Lances Bay and Bulls Bay Beach are located. Almost exclusively a “locals” area there is plenty of hospitality and Caribbean seawater to swim in that feels like silk against your skin.

Business Profile of Dennis Morgan

Dennis Morgan is one of the most successful and notable businessmen in Montego Bay, and a major contributor to the area's industry. He made his fortune in Jamaica's thriving tourism industry through a number of local business interests. He has also used his money to support local projects, such as the building of a recreational church hall.

His main business interests include SeaGarden Resort, a luxurious beach holiday destination with a fantastic range of facilities, and Sun Holiday Tours which offers a range of Jamaica tours to people visiting the country. He is also a board member for Kingston Airport, an important hub for the island's thriving airlines.

Sea Garden Resort

Dennis Morgan is the owner of SeaGarden Resort in Montego Bay, and this is one of his biggest and most successful business interests. It is a luxurious destination comprising around 150 rooms in three seven-story buildings.

Apart from Dennis Morgan's business expertise, SeaGarden has enjoyed success because of its excellent location. It is situated next to a beautiful beach, and is also highly accessible. It is also only a few minutes away from the nearby Montego Bay Airport, the busiest air terminal on the island and a major hub for airline Air Jamaica. It is also close to many local areas of interest, making it an ideal base for those wishing to see the area's sights or take part in Jamaican tours of important sights.

Sun Holiday Tours

Another of Dennis Morgan's major business interests is Sun Holiday Tours. This company works with a range of international agents and holiday organisers to provide tourists with a fantastic selection of Jamaica tours.

The range of Jamaica Tours offered by the company includes a range excursions based around sights and attractions in Montego Bay, which can be useful for those staying at the SeaGarden Resort.

Tourism is a large part of Jamaica's economy, and this is especially true in Montego Bay. The city benefits from beautiful beaches, duty-free shopping, and a range of modern and historical attractions. Combined with easy access through Air Jamaica's busiest airport, this makes it immensely popular with tourists. As such, being the owner of both SeaGarden Resort and a major firm offering Jamaica tours makes Dennis Morgan into one of the biggest single contributor's to the area's economy.

Kingston Airport

As well as owning two major businesses within the tourism industry, Dennis Morgan is also on the board of Kingston Airport.

Kingston Airport is one of the island's main international airports, and a hub for major airline Air Jamaica. Properly known as Norman Manley International Airport, the terminal sees more than 130 international flights depart every week.

Tourism is central to Jamaica's economy, and both Kingston Airport and Air Jamaica play vital roles in this industry. Dennis Morgan's place on the board of such an important hub for international travel is a measure of both his business acumen and his contribution to Jamaica's economy.

Jamaican Routes is the only Jamaican tour guide providing popular destinations of Jamaica tours. See the real hidden Treasure Beach of Jamaica. For Airport transfers in Jamaica call us on 855-246-7710.