What to take to Jamaica

[ECO]

I'll try this one again...........I'm working on a blog post about what tourists should take to Jamaica and trying to get everyone's 2 cents on this.

Is there anything you take to JA other than the normal things like clothes?

Looking for stuff like special suntan lotion, electrical adapters............

Thanks

[damswell]

books, candy, crystal light drink mix, memory cards for camera,

[ECO]

books, candy, crystal light drink mix, memory cards for camera,

Damswell, do you bring those items because you find them hard to get in Jamaica or because they are cheaper at home?

I like the memory card one, IMHO people can never bring enough memory cards on vacation!

[Wahoo]

Snorkel and mask: I always pack mine, though didn't even use them on last trip to Negril

Water shoes: I'd never even heard of "water shoes" till my day trip to Dunn's River Falls, where they're mandatory to climb the falls (and can be rented for $5.00US). Also a good idea to wear them while wading where there're lots of sea urchins, like in Montego Bay. Probably unnecessary on most of Negril's 7-mile beach.

Rice papers: I disguise mine as bookmarkers or grocery lists to deflect questions about possession of drug paraphernalia while going thru Customs. Hint: probably not the best idea to carry books with titles like A Dummies' Guide to Smuggling thru Customs.

[damswell]

i bring it yes cause i hate buying stuff thats less expensive here.....memory cards a must

if your travelling from europe, ya you will need adaptor, but not from north america

if your traveling with kids you may wanna bring some snack stuff for them, water/sand toys, hats

[ECO]

Good idea on snorkel, mask and water shoes. Do they really protect you from the sea urchins spines?

Hats........great one! I always forget and then I end up walking around with a bandanna or some tacky tourist hat.

[Wahoo]

Good idea on snorkel, mask and water shoes. Do they really protect you from the sea urchins spines?

Hats........great one! I always forget and then I end up walking around with a bandanna or some tacky tourist hat.

Re: water shoes, mine are Deckrunners, an inexpensive brand that I got, probably on sale, at BoatersWorld. Can't remember what I paid for them, but I'm certain it was less than $20 a pair. I bought two pair (one pair is still unworn). They're made of a durable fabric with rubber soles--no way that sea urchin spines could penetrate those rubber soles if you stepped on one. And stepping on a sea urchin could definitely ruin your day, if not your whole vacation. Personally, I prefer to go barefooted on the beach and while wading thru the surf, and you can probably do it safely without water shoes even in urchin-infested waters if you get into the habit of sliding your feet thru the sand instead of stepping up and down as you wade in the water. But if you have kids, water shoes would be advisable. I saw too many kids during my two stays at Sunset Beach in Montego Bay--in pain and crying while being treated after stepping on urchins--not to want to take that safety precaution.

[ECO]

Thanks for your comments, I wrote the article and now it's off to Tinks to correct my many spppelling mistakes.

If anyone comes up with anything else please post it and we can edit the article.

[Irie]

I always bring some toilet paper.
Yes...
because EVERYWHERE you go in Jamaica they dont have toilet paper!
Unless its in the hotel lmao!

[ECO]

BYOTP huh!

[damswell]

I always bring some toilet paper.
Yes...
because EVERYWHERE you go in Jamaica they dont have toilet paper!
Unless its in the hotel lmao!

lol!!!! They do sell it there cheap yuh noh!!!!

[Irie]

LMAO. I get bulk here and bring it down.
Nana told me it was expensive...
Oh man my grandmother. She is someting.

[faith]

Something to keep in mind if you have local friends there- Brand name urban t-shirts size XL (Ecko, G-Unit, Sean Paul, etc). You can get these at a discount store for about $10 and people will love and remember you for it. I bring them as gifts, but they can also be used as tips and can trade for about $20-30 US. Eco, if you put a Nike swoosh on your JAB t-shirts, you may have yourself an enterprise. Also, shoes- gyals always want to trade me for my sandals, I end up coming home with no flip-flops.

[ECO]

Something to keep in mind if you have local friends there- Brand name urban t-shirts size XL (Ecko, G-Unit, Sean Paul, etc). You can get these at a discount store for about $10 and people will love and remember you for it. I bring them as gifts, but they can also be used as tips and can trade for about $20-30 US. Eco, if you put a Nike swoosh on your JAB t-shirts, you may have yourself an enterprise. Also, shoes- gyals always want to trade me for my sandals, I end up coming home with no flip-flops.

Thanks! I like the Nike idea but after watching Disney strong arm a friend of mine for trademark infringement I'll stay clear of that stuff.

BTW, welcome to the forum, feel free to start an intro thread introduce-yourself.html and tell us a little bit about yourself.

[jellybean]

I always take a slimline torch and spare batteries, wipes, universal plug for the sink, teabags

[ECO]

I always take a slimline torch and spare batteries, wipes, universal plug for the sink, teabags

Assuming a torch= what we call a flashlight over here I'll edit the blog post since that is a great idea!

Wipes= toilet paper? paper towels?

[GhettoGurl]

I will take a likkle travel emergency kit with me, in case of blisters, insect bites and all that stuff

[ECO]

I will take a likkle travel emergency kit with me, in case of blisters, insect bites and all that stuff

Good idea, I'll add that to the blog post as well.

[Evoyage]

I always keep the sunscreen, first aid and all which would be needed while traveling.

[Wahoo]

I always take my church key (see photo)...just the thing for removing caps from Red Stripe bottles without chipping your teeth.