Parasailing High Above Jamaica

There’s something that you need to consider before you even seriously contemplate parasailing as an activity you want to try out on your Jamaican vacation. Namely, are you afraid of heights? That doesn’t mean you can walk up to the top of a high building without getting dizzy, but rather you wouldn’t be afraid being suspected from the top of it!

How will you be suspended by little more than fabric and ropes being a human kite over the ocean below? Parasailing is an extreme sport that’s not for the fainthearted, so if you watch the participants yelling with exhilaration as they take off, and think about wandering along to sign up – think long and hard about whether or not you’re really up to this one!

One way of finding out if you’re ready to take such a step into the unknown is to fly tandem. In this scenario, you will be attached to an experienced para-sailer who will make sure that you aren’t hurt. This should be enough to find out if it’s something you could do solo, or if the tandem flight was all the parasailing experience you need!

Many of the hotels offer parasailing opportunities, equipment and coaching as part of their activity packages and this is probably all a beginner needs. The things to watch out for are the force of the take-off when the jet ski starts up and you fly backwards up into the sky – and the tricky part of getting the landing just right. In the middle, just sit back and enjoy the ride – and if you’ve got the nerve, take a few pictures, but it might be an idea to have the camera fastened to some clothing so that if you lose a grip on it, you won’t lose the camera into the ocean below.

If you want to try something a little bit different, or get a bit bored of lying on a sun-kissed beach, parasailing is certainly worth considering – but remember, if you can’t handle heights, it’s not for you!

Technorati Tags: parasailing, high above, Jamaica, Jamaican vacation, extreme sport, fly tandem, parasail chute, para-sailer, Teri Champigny

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Horse Riding On Your Vacation In Jamaica

When you think about taking a vacation in Jamaica, images of golden or white sand and clichéd crystal blue-green oceans and lagoons come to mind. You imagine yourself sun-bathing, meeting Bob Marley’s relatives on the 9-Mile excursion, dancing the night away with other tourists at some kind of Americanized reggae club – but have you considered that you could just as easily be spending some of your time really immersing yourself in the Jamaican landscape, really getting back to nature? You could do this by reserving yourself a place on one of the island’s horse riding tours.

Of course you could simply take a horse riding lesson, and perhaps a slow canter down to the beach – but wouldn’t you rather experience something a little deeper than that? There are specialized horse tour companies on Jamaica that offer a variety of different packages (including the simple riding lesson option!) to suit all kinds of abilities, skills and interests.

You can join a group tour that lasts for only a few hours, or if you’re wanting something a little more private – perhaps as part of your honeymoon, you can hire a guide and have a tour that’s just for you and your partner.

If the idea appeals but you don’t think your riding skills are up to a horse trek through some rainforest terrain, don’t worry – the staff at the horse tour companies won’t let you go if they don’t think you’re up to it. It’s not worth their credibility to allow riders who aren’t experienced enough for any particular tour take part in it. Instead, they’ll advise you on what they think you can manage, making it a win-win situation all round!

So don’t think that Jamaica is all about water and sand, there’s a few hooves in there as well if you’re ready to get up in the saddle and find them!

[tags]horse riding, vacation, Jamaica, white sand, blue-green oceans, lagoons, sun-bathing, horse riding tours, horse tour, horse riding lessons, horse, Jamaica Travel Tips, Teri Champigny[tags]

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Honeymooning in Jamaica

When you are making a list of possible honeymoon destinations, Jamaica has to be near the top of your list. With so many romantic possibilities, Jamaica is a Caribbean island that just calls out to couples!

For most newlyweds, the honeymoon is a time for really getting to know each other without the demands and stresses of everyday life. What better place than Jamaica for this? With its naturally slower pace of life, it’s the perfect setting to forget the chores and tasks related to the workday blues, and concentrate on what’s really important – the start of a new life together.

Whether you want a honeymoon that allows you to explore new exhilarating sports together such as para-skiing, or jet-skiing, or whether you prefer the gentler exploration of swimming with dolphins or diving with schools of exotic fish you’ll find the perfect place for it in Jamaica. Whether you want to swim at the bottom of the Dunn’s Waterfall, or float down a river on a raft, you are sure to build a foundation of memories that will put your marriage off to a great start!

One ideal thing about Jamaica is the amount of “couples only” hotels. This means that you’ll meet a lot of other people just like you who are just married, or in the process of getting married, as well as other couples who are celebrating either important wedding anniversaries, birthdays – or just getting away from the kids for a while! What you won’t have are noisy singles parties, or children screaming for ice cream to interrupt your special time together. You can even book an all-inclusive vacation which means that you know exactly how much it’s going to cost and can put that into your wedding budget.

When you’re making your final honeymoon destination choice, give Jamaica a serious look – it’s got everything you could hope for in one destination!

Technorati Tags: honeymooning in Jamaica, honeymooning, Jamaica, honeymoon destinations, romantic, Caribbean island, newlyweds, marriage, Jamaican Travel Tips, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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High End Hotel Accommodation in Jamaica

Jamaica is an amazingly diverse island paradise which makes it a perfect tourist destination for people on all budgets, and there are many luxury hotels and resorts in Jamaica to cater to those on the high end of the tourist spectrum.

The Half Moon Rose Hall in Montego Bay is one such high end hotel. This paradise-like resort is designed to help you feel as if you are a half moon away from the outside world. This is a premier resort which has attracted tourists for more than 50 years. It has approximately 400 acres of lovely beaches in it’s grounds and you can visit the dolphin lagoon which is exclusively for the Half Moon’s guests. The hotel also boasts a world class spa and fitness centre, 4 squash courts, 51 swimming pools and also a golf course.

Another higher priced hotel in Montego Bay is the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall sprawls over 5,000 acres in Jamaica’s exclusive Rose Hall. This hotel offers the seclusion of a beachfront hideaway, complete with an 18-hole championship golf course and spa. In addition to this, the hotel also offers a wide variety of water sports and leisure activities, five dining outlets and fitness centers. The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort take luxury to an altogether different level and is the ultimate fantasy Jamaican vacation hotel.

Luxury isn’t just confined to Montego Bay however. For example, in another part of the island, Ocho Rios, you’ll find the Jamaica Inn. This hotel has consistently been ranked one of the top resort hotels and tourist destinations in the Caribbean. The Jamaica Inn is a small yet elegant timeless resort and each of its 47 rooms and suites suite has a private balustraded balcony overlooking the beautiful beaches. The Jamaica Inn will pamper you to the core as they take service to an extreme with a clean, thick beach towel awaiting you, no matter how many trips you make to the beach and beds always freshly made even after a short afternoon nap.

Although the reason for going to Jamaica is to sample what the island has to offer outdoors, you’ll find these hotels an inviting and luxurious retreat from sightseeing and sports at the end of the day.

Technorati Tags: Jamaica, high end hotels, accommodation in Jamaica, accommodation, island paradise, tourist destination, Jamaica Travel Tips, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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Jamaican Beauty at the Green Grotto Caves

One of the locations used in the James Bond movie, Live and Let Die, the Green Grotto Caves located just outside of Discovery Bay are of interest not only to Bond fans, but also to people who are interested in the history of Jamaica, and also those who have a passion for natural beauty. Be warned however, to see this attraction you will have to walk downwards on centuries old steps, so anyone with mobility issues should discuss their situation with the guide before starting down to the cave.

As you descend the steps down into the caves to marvel at the stalactites that hang somewhat precariously from the roof of the cave, take a look at the artwork. This was created by the pre-Columbia Arawaks. Over the centuries the caves have become a refuge for many different types of people, from the Spanish who used it as a place to hide from the British in the 17th Century to the slaves who managed to escape their owners in the 18th. More recently smugglers taking guns into Cuba have used the caves as a hideaway!

The main highlight in the limestone Green Grotto Caves however is the huge lake that’s some 36m below the surface. Once you get down the steps to this level, you’ll be able to get a closer look at the natural beauty of the cave by boat. Be sure to look up at the ceiling pockets, and to marvel at nature as you see both stalactites and stalagmites.

Although the tour of the caves only takes about an hour, it’s an hour well spent because of the amount of interests it spans, the stories that your guide will be able to tell you about its past, and the sheer beauty that is unlike anything else you’ll encounter on the island. It’s not a time-consuming attraction but it’s one you won’t forget.

Technorati Tags: Green Grotto Caves, Jamaica, Jamaican, James Bond, Discovery Bay, Green Grotto, caves, Jamaican Travel Tips, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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Golfing Vacation Trip to Jamaica

One of the most popular activities for vacations these days is golf, and just because you’re going to Jamaica doesn’t mean that you have to trade your clubs in for a diving suit. There are quite a number of good quality golf courses available for you to use during your holiday through the island. Here are just a few of them:

The most spectacular new golf course in Jamaica has to be the White Witch Golf Course situated in Montego Bay as part of the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall Resort. Here you’ll find top quality service with everything from caddies to golf equipment – and someone (the white witch herself) to blame for all the lost balls and over pars! This course isn’t for the beginner however, it’s more rugged than most, but if you’re looking for a challenge a round or two here will certainly make your vacation memorable.

Not too far from the White Witch Golf Course is the Three Palms Ocean Course which is part of the Wyndham Rose Hall resort. There are a few holes on this course that will make chipping your ball into a bunker or pond look like child’s play as they are so close to the ocean! On the other hand, it’s a small price to pay for a course that not only has breathtaking ocean views, but also ruins and a waterfall as part of its natural backdrop!

The Ocho Rios Sandals Golf & Country club has a nice course for those who are staying in that part of the island. Again, the round of golf is topped off with some stunning ocean views to take your mind of the missed shots!

Although Jamaica isn’t known for its championship level courses, the courses it does have cater for different levels of play from challenging down to beginner – ideal for families. If you aren’t staying at a hotel that has the kind of golfing amenities you’re looking for, ask if the hotel can organize it so that you can have permission to play at one that does – sometimes the hotels have “arrangements” with one another that allow this kind of interaction between establishments.

Technorati Tags: golfing trip Jamaica, golfing trip, Jamaica, golfing, vacations, golf clubs, golf cources, Teri’s Travel Tips, Jamaica Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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Caribbean Jamaica Travel

A Caribbean Jamaica travel offers so much more than rum, sun and reggae. When it comes to diversity, few Caribbean islands can come neck to neck with this island country.

Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many, One People” and this saying can very well apply to the very heart and essence of Jamaica. While good beaches and great food take up much of the day for the typical vacationer, a Caribbean Jamaica travel could also offer a lot of sightseeing, especially in Montego Bay (or just “MoBay” to locals), which is home to a large concentration of great hosues, formerly homes of the wealthy plantation owners whose kingdoms were powered by sugarcane.

So with Jamaica’s great diversity, here are the things you should know before you go on that dream Caribbean Jamaica travel:

Banks/Currency

Money is not much of a problem when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel. There are licensed cambios and bureaux de change in all resort areas. They are easily and readily accessible, so you don’t need to get Jamaican money before you get to the island. And if you’re worried that your resort doesn’t have a money exchange, banks in the area can exchange all currencies.

The official rate of exchange varies daily so if you want a rate that suits you, it’s not a bad idea to shop around first. In addition, many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus, and Plus logos. Credit card advances? Banks give that too, as well as change traveler’s checks, and offer other financial services.

Climate

Like any typical Caribbean island, Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. One popular Jamaican poem sums it all pretty accurately: “We have neither summer nor winter/Neither autumn nor spring….”

So when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel, bring clothes that are suited for tropical climate. Swim suits are a must if you’re crazy about water sports, but bring a jacket or a light sweater if you included hiking in your Caribbean Jamaica travel itinerary.

Communications

Being a popular Caribbean destination and all, Jamaica is well connected to the rest of the world. So when you go on a Caribbean Jamaica travel, expect direct international telephone service 24 hours a day. There are also telephone operators who will gladly facilitate collect, third party, or credit card calls, too.

Most hotels, resorts, and parish libraries offer Internet and email access, as well as fax, telegrams, and cables. There are three daily national newspapers and five weekend newspapers, and of course, other international editions of major newspapers and magazines, such as the New York Times, TIME, The Economist, and the London Times.

Driving

Do you prefer to take a 4WD-drive to your hotel destination? One thing you need to remember while driving on a Caribbean Jamaica travel is that driving in this island country is on the LEFT. Some flexibility is required to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens, and other domestic animals, but the roads aren’t too bad. And Jamaica has over 17,000 kilometers of road networks connecting all major towns and cities.

Technorati Tags: Caribbean Jamaica Travel, Caribbean, Jamaica, Jamaican, travel, raggae, Caribbean Islands, tourists, Pinoy Getaway, Teri’s Travel Tips, Teri Champigny

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Getting Around On Your Vacation In Jamaica

Shuttle buses are the best way of getting around. If you’re undecided between two or more hotels with similar features and prices, choose the one with the largest shuttle service! Public transportation in the form of buses is cheap and cheerful – but it may be too crowded and the driving a bit erratic for most tourists.

Your hotel should provide either an airport shuttle, or a shuttle to a scheduled airport shuttle drop off point. Once you get to your hotel, you will then need to find out how other tourists get to see the wonders that Jamaica has to offer. Hotels may, for instance, offer a scheduled bus service for certain tourist attractions. Some attractions/restaurants even offer a shuttle to collect you from your hotel (make sure they bring you back also!).

For some other areas, you may need to hire a cycle for a day. For others, you might prefer to hire car, or take a taxi – communal or private. Whether it’s a cycle or a car, it has to go on the road and so you need to be very aware of the other drivers who are using the road! You also need to be aware that looking at a map that shows an “A” road, doesn’t mean that it will be up to the standard of “A” roads back home – it does however mean that it will have less potholes than a “B” road.

If you hire a car, make sure that you point out any defects, scratches, possible dents before you leave the car hire company – otherwise you will find that you’re the one charged with the repair bill. Also check that all the interior fixings such as the cigarette lighter are there otherwise again, you will be charged for their replacement! Despite this, car hire in high season is popular so if you are going during the busy tourist season, you should consider hiring your car in advance by booking online – some international companies such as Avis, Hertz and Budget operate in various parts of Jamaica so contacting their local office or website should help you making your booking in Jamaica ready for your summer vacation.

If you’re feeling adventurous, there are other ways of getting around in Jamaica, such as sailing, or even on a jet ski! There are two things you need to remember about getting around on this beautiful island – one is that there are any number of ways of getting around, not all of them safe, and the second is that travel in Jamaica can be as much of an adventure as you want it to be!

Technorati Tags: getting around your vacation Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaician, shuttle buses, tourists, hotels, car rentals, taxi, cycle, boat, Teri Champigny

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Vacation In Jamaica With A Fractional Ownership Or Timeshare

Do you want to get the most out of your tropical vacation this year? If you’re planning a trip to Jamaica you should look into buying a fractional ownership or timeshare instead of renting a hotel room if you’re going to be on vacation for more than a week.

Fractional ownerships are similar to timeshares but when you buy a fractional ownership you are given a deed and you actually own the property for that block of time, you’re not just renting it. You can also buy fractional ownerships in increments so it’s not like a timeshare where you are a part owner in the building you are just buying that property for a particular piece of time.

Buying a fractional ownership makes a lot of sense if you are traveling with a lot of family or friends because then you can ask everyone to pitch in for the cost of the fractional ownership. Staying in a house or townhouse will be a lot more comfortable for everyone than staying in a hotel and there are usually no limits on how many people can share the building with you so you can bring a lot of people with you to Jamaica to share the cost of the building.

Of course most people would prefer to spend their Jamaican vacation on the beach and there are a lot of opportunities to buy fractional ownerships for homes and townhouses on the beach. Resorts and hotels are usually close to the beaches but very few are actually right on the beach so if staying right on the beach is important to you then buying a fractional ownership makes a lot more sense than staying in a hotel that might be a few miles away from the actual beach.

Fractional ownerships are also safer than paying for a hotel because if you book a stay at a hotel and then have to cancel you may have to pay a cancellation fee but you if you have a fractional ownership you can sell the fractional ownership to someone else and get your money back.

Many resorts are now building condos and townhouses that are divided up into fractional ownerships so it’s not hard to find a fractional ownership that you can afford in a location that you want. Buying a week, a month or even 6 weeks of fractional ownership can be a great way to enjoy your exotic vacation to Jamaica. But if you’re going to buy a fractional ownership it’s a good idea to buy one as soon as you decide to take a vacation to Jamaica.

The most popular months for tourists are June and July so fractional ownerships for those months usually go fast and if you want to get a fractional ownership in a building that is on the beach or in another prime location then it’s best to buy it early. If you thought that a warm tropical vacation to Jamaica was out of reach because you have a large family and a hotel will be too expensive then buying a fractional ownership in a townhouse or condo in Jamaica could be the perfect solution.

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Scuba Diving In Jamaica

Diving into the waters off the Jamaican shore may sound very exotic, and can be a lot of fun for both the beginner and the seasoned diver. For anyone who wants to be a little more adventurous than snorkeling there’s a world to explore beneath the ocean, but if you don’t have diving experience, you need to consider taking a class before you get into the water. In some areas such as Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril, the popular diving areas do tend to get booked up in high season so make sure of your place by making your reservation as soon as you can into your vacation (or before if this is at all possible in the area you are going to stay).

One of the most magical experiences you could take home from your vacation in Jamaica is to have dived to 30 or even up to 150 ft below the ocean’s surface. There you will see not only fish, but also both hard and soft corals and sponges in their natural environment. Once thing you mustn’t do however is to remove anything. There are some very strict restrictions in place in Jamaica that prevent anyone taking anything to the surface that belongs below the water – in certain areas, your diving guide may even tell you that touching things in the ocean is forbidden either for your safety or the safety of the wildlife.

Other things you can do when diving in Jamaica (depending on the time of year and part of the island you’re visiting) is to dive with turtles, swim with schools of exotically colored fish, or even see nursing sharks. A word of caution on the sharks however, most sharks in Jamaica won’t attack you but if you encounter one, swim slowly away – if you show fear and panic, this could upset them! There are places you can dive without fear of meeting up with sharks if you prefer life to be slightly less unpredictable, locations such as Sandy Hole which is home to sting rays, but no sharks!

Take a unique trip and include diving in Jamaica as a vacation choice. You won’t regret it. For the beginner you can try Scuba Jamaica to be able to enjoy the wonders of the ocean that surrounds Jamaica. If you enjoy diving you will love the underwater wonders of Jamaica.

Technorati Tags: diving in Jamaica, Jamaican, beginner diver, seasoned diver, snorkelling, vacation in Jamaica, popular diving areas in Jamaica, Teri Champigny

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