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Traveling to Jamaica, kinda nervous
I am newly pregnant, will be 11 weeks when we leave for Jamaica, it was planned before I found out. Any tips on how to make this vacation fun? Sounds weird I know but usually we drink and do more intense tours. I don't want to be bored, and regret going.
Re: Traveling to Jamaica, kinda nervous
virgin drinks? enjoy the beach/pool/swimming/spa/reading a good book? enjoy the food? enjoy being with dh?
plenty to do without having to drink.
"restless people who prey on American tourists"? Sigh. If you're going to stay locked up in a resort, why go there at all?
As for things to do when you're pregnant - maybe a safari on the Black River, you could go to Rick's and watch the cliff divers and see the sunset even though you can't drink there, you could do a coffee tour, and would Dunn's River Falls be out of the question?
I couldn't disagree MORE. We've gone to Jamaica(Negril) twice and it's by far our favorite caribbean destination. The first time we stayed at an AI and didn't venture off much and totally lost out on the jamaican experience - don't think we'd opt for another AI in Jamaica. This last time we stayed at a gorgeous non-AI resort and ventured off for most of our meals and adventures. Just as you would with any big city or foreign country - use common sense and you'll be fine.
Wow. I can't even begin to describe how angry this statement makes me. And for the record, I have in-laws who live there and I have visited the island several times. Yes, Jamaica is poor but I have never felt preyed upon. Don't just stay insulated at the resort because that is absolutely no way to see the country. You can safely enjoy lots of sight-seeing while you are pregnant. Try the food (patties are AMAZING), learn more about the history and go see Ocho Rios and Negril. Heck, if you can make it to Kingston, check out Strawberry Hill.
I wonder if you've ever been to Jamaica. I travel twice a year and NO WHERE comes close to comparing to Jamaica. We have made SO many friends that I email with regularly and when in Jamaica spend time with there families in there communities. Hubby and I plan on buying a condo there in the near future because it is an incrediable place! The people, food, atmosphere you won't get any better. I was there in June / July for two weeks and there were a few pregenant couples we spent time with there. You will not be far along at all. I would still do tours (maybe ask your doctor the extent that he/she recommends, and enjoy the beach, virgin drinks and sun!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I have never been to Jamaica, so I can't speak to that. But I do agree it would be a shame to not get any feel for the local culture. Even just a taxi ride around town might be fun. I've often found the taxi drivers make the best tour guides! They know all the interesting insider things about the area and are happy to talk about their towns. We had a fascinating ride through some of the poorest regions of St. Lucia (similar to the poverty in Jamaica). I felt very safe the whole time.
While I haven't been to Jamaica, I have been pregnant! Honestly at 11 weeks I wasn't in the mood to do a whole lot anyways. The fatigue alone can be exhausting. Expect to need a lot more sleep and rest than you are used to. I like to drink (booze AND coffee) too, but during the 1st tri I couldn't stand the thought of either of those things. Chances are you won't even miss it. Also, that early on it might not be an issue, but I've found that it can be a pain to travel when pregnant because you have to pee SO often! Having to find a public restroom every half hour can be a pain. Better to spend time in one place where you can easily get to the bathroom.
Savor these last days of downtime while you can! Pretty soon you won't be able to just lay by the pool reading a book, blissfully unaware of what else is going on around you : ) And, be sure that you read a good nonkid related book! They'll be plenty of time for parenting an childbirth books later on.
I'd be careful with what you eat/ drink though. As fun as it is to try new things, during pregnancy might not be the best time. If you were to get any kind of food poisoning, or "traveler's stomach" it could be really dangerous.
I agree... Why go to another country just to stay within the compounds of an AI resort? DH and I have also been to Negril a few times and LOVE it. We never stay at AI's because we love the Jamaican culture and find Jamaican's to be extremely friendly. Get out and explore the real Jamaica and not the Americanized version you will find at an AI resort. I've even gone as far as traveling to a school to donate supplies (you'd be amazed what they call a school there!) and hang out with the kids for a day. Honestly, I've been more scared in New York City late at night after leaving a bar or concert than I've even been in Jamaica.
I've been to Jamaica for my honeymoon and for mission trips...montigo bay and ocho. ive stayed AI and with natives...best advice is just use common since as you would any trip. eat what you know is safe and if you travel away from the resort stay near trusting jamacians, dont venture off at night.
make sure your doctor okays the trip and that you dont need any vaccines before you leave.
i didnt drink alot while i was there and went on boat rides, got massages, layed at the beach, ate alot of food, shopped, went on a tube down the river...im sure they have alot of save activities for you. and if you are a little sick you can always curl up, read a book and order room service.