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Seas the Day, the Jamaican Style Way: Rum, Reggae, Relaxation, & Reality Checks (Cha-Ching!)
- Stephanie Blanc
- Jun 26
- 16 min read
Updated: Jul 6
What started as a much-needed getaway quickly turned into a week filled with rum, reggae, relaxation, breathtaking scenery, unforgettable excursions, more Jamaican patties than I'd care to admit, and YES...a few unexpected reality checks (and tips...lots and lots of TIPS! Haha!!).
Jamaica had been sitting on my travel wish list for some time, so when the opportunity finally presented itself, I was beyond excited!
Between horseback riding & bamboo rafting in the turquoise blue waters with the sounds of Bob Marley playing in the background, flavorful local foods, where again, I had some of thee BEST Jamaican patties of my LIFE (!!!), this trip was a much-needed escape for me, paired with lots of vitamin sea.
Ultimately, I had a great time. Jamaica is undeniably a beautiful island with very friendly, laid-back people, and several of the experiences I had were definitely once in a lifetime.
But, as with any trip...I encountered a few bumps in the road, both literally and figuratively, because, chile...I was NOT prepared for Jamaica's driving style! 😂 This island still gave me exactly what I came for though, which was the opportunity to truly unplug, recharge, and enjoy some of the best sleep I've had in months!
Y'all know how I'm still gonna keep things all the way real over here sooo....I will be divulging some of the instances that had me a bit taken aback. BUT, the good news is that these experiences will fully prepare me for my next trip there! Haha!!
So here's my honest recap of my Jamaican getaway: The good, the bad, and the beautiful. Ya know...So that you can be more prepared than I was haha!!
ARRIVAL
My trip to Jamaica actually began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I spent a few days for business before catching a quick 1 hour and 15 minute flight to Montego Bay, JA. Truthfully, it was actually a little shorter than this when I flew. I landed at Sangster International Airport, the island's busiest international airport and the primary gateway for visitors staying along Jamaica's north coast.
Traveler Tip ✈️: Before you arrive, be sure to complete Jamaica's mandatory C5 Immigration & Customs Declaration Form online. Confession...I had absolutely no idea this was a requirement (Yes, even with all my planning, chile 😂.). Thankfully, the form is free and relatively straightforward to complete, but if you wait until you land, you'll have to fill it out at the airport before heading through immigration. It isn't the end of the world, but after a day of traveling, I personally hate anything that delays getting to my next destination. Save yourself the extra few minutes by completing it before your flight.
Once I cleared immigration, finding my private transportation was surprisingly seamless. I had booked my airport transfer in advance with Best Jamaica Travels, and their instructions were crystal clear. As soon as I approached their kiosk, a representative greeted me by name and escorted me directly to my driver.
Under normal circumstances, the drive from Sangster International Airport to my resort takes approximately 35 to 55 minutes, depending on traffic. Unfortunately, there had been a serious accident that afternoon, turning what would have been a relatively quick drive into a nearly 2½ hour journey.
Needless to say, my Jamaican adventure was already proving to be memorable before I had even reached the resort. And that's when the adventure really began...
ACCOMMODATION
Ocean Eden Resort: Beautiful Property, Mixed Experience
For my first-ever all-inclusive resort experience, I stayed at Ocean Eden Bay Resort in Falmouth. The check-in was pretty straight-forward, but they do try to get you to upgrade to 'Privilege,' of which I told the front desk agent to just skip through the preliminaries because I had heard all about it, and wasn't at all interested. I was more interested in running barefoot to the beach! 😂
The resort itself? Gorgeous. The rooms? Spacious, comfy, clean, & beautiful. The atmosphere? Somewhere between tropical luxury and Spring Break 2026 (i.e. remember MTV's Spring Break from back in the day?? Yeah..Expect a lil' bit of that at times). The service? MEH. It was giving inconsistent. I did for the most part enjoy my stay. But the service and overall experience didn't quite live up to the property's beauty & 5-star rating.
As someone who appreciates elevated hospitality, I was surprised by how hit or miss the overall experience felt at times. Again, while the resort & grounds were immaculate (a big thanks to recent renovations), it often lacked the refined service I expected. More specifically, room service felt almost non-existent, as I had made several attempts to take advantage of it during my entire stay, from Monday-Saturday, and was entirely unsuccessful. Often times, there was no answer at the front desk (For example: At one point, I had to flag housekeeping staff in the hallway for toilet paper), and for the caliber and price of the resort itself, that was totally unacceptable.
Additionally, there were a couple of days where housekeeping service started banging on the door at 9:30am. Now granted, I am usually already up and out early most days cause your girl stays booked & busy with excursions on vacations, however I do try to sleep in until 9am for a couple of days...I am on vacation after-all, and I don't want to feel rushed nor do I like that sense of urgency when I am getting ready.
Granted, yes, I could have just placed the 'do not disturb' sign on my door...But I also figured I was good at 9:30am to not having to worry about that. Not everyone is always up and out at the crack ass of dawn 🫠. Not to mention, the initial days of the trip, had me out of my room by 7:30-8:00am, and for most of the day. Most days, I'd come back well after 5:00pm and there were times in which the room still wasn't done...So there was definitely some inconsistencies with housekeeping to say the least.
Also, the noise levels. It felt like anytime I wanted to take a nap (ya golden girl usually needs a siesta after a day full of excursions haha!!)...Maintenance staff would either be mowing the lawns, hammering outside drains, or vacuuming for what felt like an eternity. Even vacuuming throughout the evening! Like I'm talking going to sleep to the sounds and waking up to the sounds...Like C'MONNN😑.
Additionally, the phone would constantly ring, or we'd get constant knocks at the door for nonsense. Yes, NONSENSE! At one point, I was chilling on the balcony of my hotel room, enjoying the view and relaxing, and we heard constant banging on the door. At first, we ignored it, but they wouldn't stop banging, so we finally answered and it was 'house prevention' with 'guidelines for the room lockbox' on the 4th day of our stay...(??? 😒) I didn't even feel comfortable letting the gentleman in because it just felt like another gimmick to sell me something. Like why couldn't we have just been notified via phone that someone was coming to talk about the lockbox?? Especially, since they had been calling us everyday with everything else up until that point? Like why repeatedly disturb our peace on our vacation...?!?
Another issue was the constant sales gimmicks...Every time I'd take a stroll on the resort there was a hotel agent stopping me to sell something or upgrade to the 'Privilege' option, which I politely declined each time, but it gets rather annoying after numerous times.
Ocean Eden Resort: The Food
Most of the resort's restaurant food was lacklustre, which was another disappointment. Now, since it was my first all-inclusive resort stay...It was the food that I was lowkey (or high-key?? Lol) super excited about because it's essentially a prepaid all you can eat scenario, more or less. But, nearly every restaurant I tried throughout the resort was extremely underwhelming-Route 66 being the worse & Jerk Grill coming in 2nd to that.
HOWEVER, there was one shining exception(!!!)...And, that was Captain Market! Captain Market was definitely our saving grace when it came to food on the actual resort itself.
Every single visit to Captain Market, was a win! The abundant continental buffet consistently delivered some of the best meals I had during my stay. And, just for some context, we'd normally go for breakfast, however we did also try lunch and dinner there as well, and we were still very impressed.
Photo Credit: Maria Bella Photography
Love these Jamaica vacay-inspired looks? Tap here to see my outfit details and the must-haves for my beach bag!
PREPARE FOR
The Tipping Olympics
So now, let's address the elephant in the room.
The tipping culture caught me completely off guard...Like TOTALLY! It was on a whole nother level that I wasn't prepared for.
Now, just to be clear: I absolutely believe in tipping and rewarding good service. BUT what became increasingly frustrating was the constant expectation of additional money at every turn. Like...literally, every. single. turn.
Side Story: I had prepaid for private airport transfer specifically so that everything would be handled before I arrived, especially in case I hadn't yet had the chance to convert my U.S. dollars into Jamaican currency. I had a little cash on me, but nothing too crazy because I packed last minute and didn't have time to get to the ATM the morning of my flight. I know...I know...My fault (!!!).
But anyway, the driver still expected a tip and was pretty shameless about it too. To add insult to injury, he spent a good portion of the ride complaining about different groups of "cheap people", almost as if he was subtly giving us the nudge to not be them, if you will. I mean...ya girl reads the room and catches the subtext every time. He wasn't slick! 😂.
At the resort, the staff resisted us handling our own luggage. Remember, we landed, and the drive to the resort normally would have taken about 35–45 minutes. So had I figured I'll just use the bathroom at my hotel room. However, with there being a major accident, we ended up sitting in traffic for over 2½ hours. By the time we finally arrived at the resort, the drive had taken nearly three hours...and ya girl had to TINKLE 😩😂)
So after checking in, all I wanted to do was get to my room and relieve myself. Instead, we were asked to wait another 10–15 minutes for the luggage attendant, and the staff insisted on bringing our luggage to the room rather than allowing us to just take it ourselves so that we could finally get settled in. We arrived at about 5:30pm, and front desk said the beach closed at 5:00pm, but that I could still go, but just be discreet. It does pose the question...But how can I do this if you won't let me grab my luggage with the bathing suits in it?
Now, don't get me wrong, the little "Your Chariot Awaits" luggage cart definitely added a Midas touch 😂.
BUT, once we arrived at the room, the luggage attendant essentially turned around to us with his hand out 😐...🤨. As we scrambled through our wallets, trying to figure out the Jamaican currency, and handed him what would be equivalent to a couple of dollars...This man actually pointed to specific bills in my hand to indicate how much he expected me to give him...?!?!😳
As someone who was still a bit of a novice when it came to Jamaican currency, I found the interaction incredibly out-of-pocket (no pun intended) given the circumstances that had JUST occurred.
So like...lemme get this straight...You refuse to let me take my own luggage....
You make me wait for someone to arrive even after I explain that I'm exhausted and just want to get to my room after a 3-hour ride ordeal. Thennn, after ALL of that...You expect me to pay for a service that I didn't even ask for nor really want in the first place?! Ummm...yeah...THAT definitely caught me off guard, and had me side-eyeing...🤨.
It's one thing to expect & appreciate gratuity. It's another thing to dictate it.
"Now, don't get me wrong, the little "Your Chariot Awaits" luggage cart definitely added a Midas touch 😂."
By the end of the vacation, my wallet needed a vacation of its own 😂. Now, I will say this...Upon arrival, they do greet you with a deliciously BOMB cocktail🍹. So...at least they got that part right! 😂
Pebbled Paradise...
The beaches were absolutely gorgeous! The water was warm, crystal clear, and exactly what you'd expect when someone says, "caribbean paradise."
However, my research did forewarn me that Montego Bay's coastlines were going to be on the rockier side. And let me tell ya...They weren't kidding! At one point, I was convinced I'd stepped on something sharp enough to require medical attention, but fortunately, that wasn't the case 😌. I can giggle about it now, but I was low-key freaking out at the time 😂!!
So, if you're someone who's a bit uneasy about walking on what, at times, felt like shards of seashells and rocks, you may want to invest in a pair of water shoes. Since, I am more of a barefoot & free kind of gyal...I braved it just fine even after the "incident" haha!! But you have been forewarned...
"The beaches were absolutely gorgeous. The water was warm, crystal clear, and exactly what you'd expect when someone says, "caribbean paradise."
"At one point, I was convinced I'd stepped on something sharp enough to require medical attention, but fortunately, that wasn't the case 😂. If you're someone who's a bit uneasy about walking on what, at times, felt like shards of seashells and rocks, you may want to invest in a pair of water shoes."
Side bar: Just for a little more context, I had originally planned on staying in Negril, which is known for its pristinely beautiful beaches that are essentially rock-less haha. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to book my desired hotel because many of the resorts were already fully booked due to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which had significantly reduced the number of available accommodations. Hence why Montego Bay is where I landed this time around.
WHAT TO DO
The Excursions: Always My Favorite Part
Excursions always end up being the highlight of most of my vacays, and it was no different this time around. If there's one thing about me, it's that I don't like spending my entire vacation sitting by the pool. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a decent amount of beach bumming as much as the next person, but I also love immersing myself in a destination, learning about its culture, and trying experiences that I wouldn't otherwise get back at home. That's exactly why excursions are always the highlight of my trips!
Bamboo Rafting
Without question, one of the most relaxing and memorable experiences of the trip. Floating down the river while listening to reggae and taking in Jamaica's natural beauty felt like stepping into another world. I booked Bamboo Rafting From Montego Bay & Falmouth through Trip Advisor, and its one of those excursions I'd do again and again. See me in action in slide #4 here.
Horseback Riding
Anyone who knows me, knows this is always going to be a favorite of mine. I've always loved horses, and there is something incredibly freeing about horseback riding, especially against such a beautiful backdrop. We even got to ride the horses deep in the water. It was a wonderful experience that I wish could've been longer! I'd say it was about 45 minutes (???). And, just for reference, the horsebacking I booked in Puerto Rico was a 3-hour experience. I booked the bamboo rafting & horseback riding in Jamaica as a combo excursion via Trip Advisor - Horseback Riding & Bamboo Rafting From Montego Bay & Falmouth. The tour operators for both the bamboo rafting and horseback riding were extremely friendly & helpful.
Clear Kayak Photoshoot
I did this on a whim after finding this cute bathing suit at one of the local shops, and loved how it came out. I figured, "Hey, let's seas the day!! Haha!!" But, let's just say these photos didn't come easy. Cue in Aaliyah's "Rock The Boat," because BABY ya girl was ROCKINNN' back and forth in them shallow waters 😂. At least the tour operator got a good laugh at me conquering my fears!!
Balancing in a clear kayak while attempting to look effortless while doing it, deserves its own Olympic event & medal! But I felt totally safe and this is coming from someone who can't swim (Don't worry I'm planning on getting the lessons at some point!!). But, was it worth it? Absolutely! I got their contact via one of the tour operators, Rajay. I booked this experience with Shoreline Views JA.
Love this Jamaica glam-inspired look? Tap here to see my outfit details!
A Food Tour Missing the Key Secret Ingredient
One excursion we were particularly excited about was a local food tour.
Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of the trip. Between repeated cancellations from the original operator (he cancelled our booking on Trip Advisor 3 times without explanation and the last cancelation was the day before our booking 😑, of which we hadn't even realized until it was too late because we were busy taking part in other excursions). We were able to book another food tour via the hotel's tour concierge, but the tour we ended up booking was a less-than-stellar experience, and it simply didn't live up to the expectations one would have for such a tour.
To be clear, I expected the food tour to be fun, educational, and delicious...But, it was more of a taxi ride in which he pointed out everything that the hurricane destroyed (which, was A LOT). Now, I wouldn't so much mind the experience if we hadn't paid approx $80.00 each for it.
He, essentially, dropped us off at a plaza that had Scotchies, Tastee's bakery, and Devon House I Scream, then took us to KFC because that was another place we wanted to check out since we'd heard so many good things about Jamaica's version of KFC. But there was no history, no explanation, no NADA...So, $75 to cover his gas and $80 for the actual tour = $155.00 ($77.50 fee for 2 people...US dollars), which wasn't even an actual tour....total RIP OFF. We were definitely scammed. Ya know the tour agents made me feel silly for booking via Trip Advisor, but those were the excursions that turned out the best in my opinion (with the exception of the original food tour company that canceled 3 times-It was called Finesse Jamaica, which I think is an interesting choice of words 🧐).
BUT, moving on and speaking of food...
Scotchies: Our Favorite Jerk Chicken Stop
Scotchies Jerk Chicken absolutely lived up to the hype. No notes. Five stars. Easily, the best jerk chicken I've ever had. Would return tomorrow.
Jamaican Patties: Worth Every Bite
And let's talk about the Jamaican patties. The name of the bakery was called Tastee Jamaican Patties, and it was in the same plaza strip as Scotchies in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios (can't recall which city I was in haha!!).
Shamelessly, I ate about 7 patties throughout the duration of this trip: Beef, curry chicken, veggie, meatloaf with coco bread crust...AHHH MAN!!! So so good! Perhaps I ate even more than that, but ehh who's counting? What I can tell you is this: Golden Krust can't hold a candle to them...It doesn't even come close. Not even remotely.
Linda's Jerk & Seafood Restaurant
A strong recommendation from one of our tour operators-Rajay. Whenever a local tells me, "You want some good oxtail?," I'm listening. Rajay assured us Linda's was one of his favorite spots, so we happily took his recommendation. I ordered the oxtail with cabbage and rice & peas, and let's just say I was licking my fingers down to the very last bone. There wasn't a single bite left on my plate. Rich, flavorful, and absolutely worth the stop! Thanks again Rajay!
Jamaican KFC Deserves Its Own Section
Believe the hype. Jamaican KFC is top tier. I don't know what they're doing differently, but it definitely tastes better. Period. The only downside? Waiting over 30 minutes for an 8-piece meal. Then again, I was in the Caribbean. Perhaps my inner NY side needed to be taught patience as part of the experience haha.
Bob Marley Mausoleum: 9 Mile Reggae
One experience that left me conflicted was the Bob Marley tour in Nine Mile.
On one hand, seeing the modest home in which Bob Marley lived his early childhood years, created music, spent time with family, and ultimately spent his final moments was incredibly moving. Walking through those spaces gave me a deeper appreciation for both the man. The legend.
On the other hand, nearly every stage of the experience honestly came with another sales pitch, another tip request, or another opportunity to open your wallet. After a while, it became a little exhausting because all I really wanted to do was soak in the history.
The tour began in a souvenir shop. Obviously, you're not obliged to purchase anything here, but there were unexpected charges throughout the entire experience.
For example, $10 shots are presented to you upon arrival in a very "welcome to the tour" kind of way, which the bartender then announces are $10 when you are basically in the process of throwing the shot back 😂. Then you turn a corner and are encouraged to buy a candle to light for Bob Marley..ok cool. Then you turn another corner and their is a band playing approx 30 seconds of a few of Marley's songs with a tip basket placed in front. Ok fine, I'm all about appreciating the arts and a good performance. Then you turn around again and someone is selling sauces & seasonings. There were multiple tipping opportunities, and constant upselling throughout the 1-hour experience, which had me like BRUH 😅.
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that tourism is a major part of the economy with island destinations, and I definitely expected to spend money while I was there...But it honestly felt like every time we turned a corner, there was another request to buy something, leave a tip, or pay for an additional experience. After a while, it became a bit annoying because all I really wanted to do was take in the history, appreciate Bob Marley's legacy, and enjoy the experience for what it was.
Still, witnessing firsthand how deeply Jamaica reveres Bob Marley gave me an added layer of appreciation for him, his music, and overall influence.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Do I Plan on Going Back To Jamaica?
ABSOLUTELY! I know my candid recount of some of the experiences, might have alluded otherwise, but despite it all, I'm actually someone who always tries to make the best of a situation, despite unexpected bumps in the road.
Would I stay at an all-inclusive resort again? Probably not, unless its 10 times better haha!! But, if I return to Jamaica, I'd likely choose a private villa and create a more customized experience. I'd also feel safe enough to more-so roam around on my own. As a first-time visitor, staying at a resort felt like the safer option for me because I didn't know the island well enough to venture too far out on my own. But now, that I have a better understanding of the country, I'd approach the trip differently.
Even in spite of some of the frustrations, Jamaica gave me incredible memories, unforgettable experiences, AHH-mazing food, and a deeper appreciation for a culture unlike any other.
So yes, I'd book it again in a heartbeat (!!!), but just a little more wiser than the first time around...Like I am definitely not forgetting to bring smaller bills (US dollar bills that is because they accept US currency and seem to appreciate it more), and I'll have an even bigger appetite for beef patties & jerk chicken.
If you're planning on going to Jamaica, then grab my Ultimate Planner that has an entire travel planning section to make your trip & life a whole lot easier!
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