The island nation of Jamaica is located South of Cuba and
West of Hispaniola. While Jamaican Creole is the main language
of the island, when tourists or travelers are around, English is
almost always used instead. Jamaican Creole is saved for
Jamaicans talking to each other. Still, even when the locals
speak English, you may have trouble understanding them because
of the thick accent. As long as you listen closely and pay
attention, you shouldn't have any problems communicating while
in Jamaica.
There are many different reasons people travel to Jamaica. One
of them is to see the birthplace of Bob Marley. You can see
where he was born and is now buried at Nine Mile. If you are a
music fan, you are going to what to travel here to see where the
man who made beautiful music was born and grew up. Once you do,
you can begin to understand a little of his music and where he
was coming from. However, this might not be fun for everyone. If
it doesn't sound like fun to you, there are plenty of other
things to do in Jamaica.
Eat - While food might not
be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think
about Jamaica, their take on Caribbean style food is unique.
That's not to say it's not good, though. If you like spicy
food, you're in for a treat when trying local dishes in
Jamaica.
Drink - From soft drinks -
they have the usual products like Coke and Pepsi - to harder
drinks, Jamaica has quite a bit to offer. Some of the local
favorite soft drinks are a grapefruit soda called Ting. Ginger
Beer is also very popular in the country. As for alcoholic
beverages, Jamaican Rum is not for the weak of heart - or
stomach.
Get Married - Surprisingly
(or perhaps not), Jamaica has become a hot place for couples
to get married over the years. Whether they decide once on
vacation to get married or plan their wedding around the
island getaway, marriages in Jamaica are on the rise. It might
be something for you to consider if you're planning on getting
married anyway and want something a little unique.
These are just the basics. There are plenty of other things
for you to see and do while in Jamaica. In little time, you will
find out why the island has been such a popular destination in
the Caribbean over the years. The people are generally
fun-loving in Jamaica. That said, you will want to be wary about
where you travel in some areas of some cities. Also, it is a
good idea to travel in groups most of the time.
The Jamaican Dollar is the official currency on the island, but
almost everywhere you go, US currency is accepted. The exchange
rates vary, but one US dollar is usually worth around 80
Jamaican Dollars. If you do decide to stick with your US
dollars, you should note that some establishments will accept
it, but at a value that's lower than its real worth. Still, you
may be better off than paying the exchange rates. It is best to
check for sure once you are in the country and can calculate the
exchange rates. Another idea is to have both types of currency
on hand at the same time.
About Jamaica