Hi nairalanders,

I will appreciate if there is any Nairalander in Kingston(Jamaica), who can put me thru the do and don`t; nice tourist centre, relatively cheap but good hotels/short stay flats;
  I am looking for Business opportunities in Jamaica, i want to  export Plaintain from there to South Africa, and wont mind
exploring  other biz opportunities.

I intend to vist jamaica in  February, I  have heard good and bad things about the country,  but will really love to visit and explore business.

Pls.advice

I have visited. Downtown Kingston is a no go area. Other areas like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are better but very touristy.

How viable is it to export plantains from Jamaica to Africa of all places? I would have thought it would have been the other way round.

Try the Nigerian embassy in Kingston.

EloSela:

I have visited. Downtown Kingston is a no go area. Other areas like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are better but very touristy.

How viable is it to export plantains from Jamaica to Africa of all places? I would have thought it would have been the other way round.

Try the Nigerian embassy in Kingston.

how was your visit? did you stay in tourist areas?
I have been planning a visit but cancelled it as I imagine its too dangerous plus HURRICANE.

@Babasin
It is best not to go in the Hurricane season.

I loved Jamaica. The people were really friendly, relaxed and pleasant which is weird because I expected them to be rude and uncouth like the some of the ones we have in London. It looks as though most of the Ghetto ones like to travel out and give their country a bad name while the nice cultured ones stay at home. A bit like the current trend of Nigerians coming to the UK and US.

We stayed in Montego Bay but visited Kingston where we went to Bob Marley's compound. I really wanted to go downtown Kingston to see the Ghettos but the driver refused to take us there. He said that even he as a Jamaican, born and bred, was afraid to go down there, let alone us, lol. In Kingston we saw the Nigerian Embassy even though we didn't go in. We also visited Negril and Ocho Rios. I have heard that there are plenty of Nigerians in Jamaica although I didn't meet any.

In short it is a very beautiful country. I even got away with paying half price for most of the attractions like Dunn's River for instance because the gateman assumed that I was of Jamaican descent.

Description of Ocho Rios from my Cruise Compass newsletter i received on Nov. 1, 2007:

The town of Ocho Rios, on Jamaica's north coast is edged with beautiful white-sand beaches and unbelievable landscapes. Contrary to popular belief, its name does not refer to "eight rivers", the literal Spanish translation. It is derived instead from the Spanish word "chorreras," meaning "waterfalls," of which Ocho Rios has many- - - including the famous and spectacular Dunn's Falls. For a big adventure, try a Jeep safari adventure and climb 2,000 feet up to Murray Hill for a panoramic view of Ocho Rios, the Blue Mountains and Cuba.

Capital: Kingston is the capital of Jamaica.

Location: Ocho Rios is about 90 miles south of Cuba.

Size: Jamaica has a total land area of 4,441 square miles. This lozenge shaped island measures 146 miles from east to west and 51 miles from north to south at its broadest point.

Population: Approximately 2.5 million people live in Jamaica, 6,000 of whom live in Ocho Rios.

Language: The official language is English but most people speak an English-based patois.

Currency: The official unit of currency is the Jamaican dollar (JA). US dollars, travelers checks, and credit cards are accepted anywhere.

Time Zone: Jamaica is on Eastern Standard Time, but does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

History: Jamaica's national motto, "Out of Many, One People", accurately reflects the melange of people who consititue the nation. Jamaica's unique identity is a result of the combination of its location in the temperate Caribbean, the interaction of races and cultures that have had roles in shaping the nation and a history marked by a desire for freedom and self-determination. Together, these elements have formed the island's character and instilled in its people a feeling of pride in their country, its traditions and achievements.

A rambling resort on Jamaica's north coast, Ocho Rios has long been one of the island's most popular vacation spots. The town has a coast that is lined with pristine white beaches and lush green hills.

The town itself contains only one historic site: The Fort was built in 1777 to defend the town against seafaring invaders. Small cannons that were once part of the fort's defenses still remain.

Fern Gully is a lush spot located a couple of miles south of town. The road follows a dry river bed that was planted with ferns in the late 19th century. The gully is a protected preserve; photographs are permitted, but touching or harming the ferns is prohibited. Jamaica boasts more varieties of ferns than any other location in the world- - - more than 550 native species.

Just west of downtown Ocho Rios, you will discover one of Jamaica's most famous waterfalls - Dunn's River Falls. The cool mountain waters plunge 600 feet to smooth limestone beds, then stream under the roadway before mingling with the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Whether you climb the Falls or swim in the chilly eddies on the ocean side, you are sure to remember this place.

Local Flavors:
There are a number of fabular shopping plazas in Ocho Rios. The best bets for great duty-free buys are Taj Mahal, Soni's Plaza and Island Village Shopping Center. Shoppers can select from brand name jewelry and fine watches to scented candles' and hand rolled cigars. Famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is also a must while in Ocho Rios.

From my experience going to Ocho Rios, Jamaica:

I loved Jamaica that I went to Ocho Rios from my 7-days Royal Caribbean International: 2007 Deaf Freedom Cruise on November 1, 2007. That cruise carried totally 3,900 deaf travellers from all over the world with 125 certified interpreters everywhere both on the ship and ashore. The 1,500 ship crews had been trained learning how to communicate with deaf customers using sign language basically for one week sailing on West Caribbean trips. (4 ports: Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; St Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island and Hispaniola, Haiti---Haiti was cancelled due to hurricanes season) At the ashore, there are beefed tight Jamaica security polices everywhere to protect deaf travellers from any harms. Roughly over 100 Jamaica licensed taxis/vans with red license plates only that has been screened by Jamaica security police at the cruise port parking lot are ready for those travellers to be picked up riding.

Roughly 1,000 deaf travellers get ashore for either walking on the shore, booking on reserved ticket shore excursions, or getting ride on taxi trip to the Jamaica school for the deaf to sightseeing its deteriorated school building in order to donate money for renovation.

In Ocho Rios, I went to new Island Village Shopping with my 4 deaf females to look around what they have because it is nearby from cruise ship dock two minutes walking distance.

At first outside of the ship dock once we 5 deaf females step out walking toward to the shopping plaza, the CRAZED TAXI DRIVERS on the street offered us in written paper $2 dollars per person tour trip that we refused to go. Because they are not shown red licenses taxi---they don't look like taxi drivers to us. WE DEAF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT how dangerous getting ride from unlicensed taxi drivers in Jamaica being KIDNAPPED, MURDER, RAPED, ETC.

Inside shopping plaza has plenty of shopping you like to buy very cheaper half price from regular what you saw in America including movie theaters there. We were greeting pulled by Jamaican Hospitality Coordinators getting inside of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville to enjoy ourself dancing for 4 hours. It was the right time because outside was pouring raining harder. As of result we 4 female out of 5 get FREE tropical margarita drinks. It was LONG DRINK BONG- - - took us a time to drink for 4 hours to finish them.

That place was crowded with over 200 deaf people watching us dancing all day long i mean 4 hours. I found out that those deaf people thought I was deaf Jamaican, LOL! Because I wore cornrow braid style look completely different from those black Jamaican' dreadlocked hairs. They (deaf cruisers) shocked seeing me on our deaf cruise---OBVIOUSLY I am not a Jamaican. Because it was impossible to know everyone on the ship with almost 4,000 deaf people.

That is why i loved Jamaica, dancing at LIVE REGGAE MUSIC along with those Jamaica working staff including hospitality coordinator. I took picture of that 19 years old skinny Ocho Rios born flexible Jamaica dancer with me that she told me that she grew up dancing since age 8---still poor to make money to help out her family while school.

She could not believe me can dancing at my age that triple than her age. LOL! I sweat-ed with my summer dress wet whole 4 hours having good time there. LOL.

Finally my cruise departed at 5pm for next port the next day---i wish i never want to leave Jamaica. I will come back again with Jamaica tour package from travel agency without cruise this year. Darn! I lost my last disposable one-time camera upon arriving Florida off my ship---i was disappointed. Ocho Rios was my best memory plus cruise was my first time trip that I will never forgot!!

On Nov 1, 2007 at Ocho Rios, Jamaica where I went, its weather was scattered thunderstorm with 83F degree. 2 hours pouring raining shortly then sunny all day afterward. It was very hot and very humidity for me.

The Island Village shopping plaza has air conditioned except for this Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville that has many ceiling fans because it has hut-like open-space style with their monster waterslide, paddle up to their swim-up pool bar, restaurant, and step up from cruise ship pier. Very nice view of my whole cruise there facing us.

Largest dancing floor that is big enough for everyone dancing at least 50 people or more.

Please I need your help on how to get Jamaica visa from nigeria, someone told me it's very difficult to get Jamaica visa from nigeria and I don't know how true it could be. Please help me....I can be reached via the bellow email address. Thanks

Mitchellandrews34400@gmail.com

Josh3440:
Please I need your help on how to get Jamaica visa from nigeria, someone told me it's very difficult to get Jamaica visa from nigeria and I don't know how true it could be. Please help me....I can be reached via the bellow email address. Thanks

Mitchellandrews34400@gmail.com

Nairaland is not an embassy. Why are some of you always so lazy to research travel information for yourselves? You want someone else to do the work you ought to be doing yourself. Google "Jamaica Embassy in Nigeria" and it should give you address and phone number. Contact them directly and ask them for any info you need. No be all this "someone told me." Find out info for yourself. And Jamaica is not a place you go to to hustle. It is an Island after all. Keep that in mind.