Jamaica and Grand Cayman

foxc · August 2, 2009

Am going to Jamaica and Grand Cayman in February. What are the best excursions? Also, does anyone know of a local establishment off the beaten path in either place we could visit to eat/drink? We went to Cozumel a year ago and found a place called Coconuts which was off the beaten path and we had a blast. Any ideas for excursions or local places? Thanks.

gemcrusier · August 2, 2009

When we went we did the usual jamacia got hair braded and Dunns Falls, grand Cayman snorkel with Sting Rays both places are great

JohnG · August 2, 2009

There are two current ports in Jamaica. Are you going to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay?

sailingrose · August 2, 2009

Grand Cayman is an expensive island to eat........We usually go to the beach or go snorkeling.

DebbieandJerry · August 4, 2009

We love Grand Cayman. We have never booked an excursion when we are there (a couple of times).

Right where you get off to the right is a beach. They have excellent snorkeling. You can rent equipment or bring your own. They have lockers that you can rent so that your valuables are locked up.

Public transportation is a hoot (open air busses) that cost $1 (or at least they did when we were there). The busses will take you to 7-mile beach. This is where all of the hotels/resorts are. You can walk along the pristine white sand, hobnob with the wealthy, eat outside or just pull up a chair/blanket and relax.

Right near the port is shopping galore. Jerry and I always broused. Never purchased.

Most folks sign up for the "swim with the stingray" tour. I believe two are offered each day. They can get crowded but everyone says it is worth it.

As for Jamaica - not my favorite place. First time we did the Dunns River Falls excursion that the ship offered. Second time we never got off the ship. Third time we rented a taxi and asked them to take us to "center city" so that we could purchase coffee, cigarettes, liquor. Just did not feel safe there.

boba · August 4, 2009

If it's your 1st time there, you gotta do Dunns Falls in Jamaica and Stingray City in Grand Cayman. If you go back sometime you can venture out then. :cool2:

Gregswife · August 4, 2009

We love Grand Cayman. We have never booked an excursion when we are there (a couple of times).
Right where you get off to the right is a beach. They have excellent snorkeling. You can rent equipment or bring your own. They have lockers that you can rent so that your valuables are locked up.

Debbie is right about the great snorkeling place...it is called Eden Rock and is our absolute favorite place to snorkel...and if you have your own equipment, it is free. Just take a right when you get to main street and it is a just a few blocks down. Ochos Rios has Dunns River Falls, as others have mentioned and if this is your first visit, it is a must see. If you are going to Montego Bay instead, I would definitely recommend an excursion over going it alone....that was our least favorite port and we really did not feel safe there. We took a snorkieling excursion there that took us, by boat, to Margaritaville afterwards.

Longboysfan · August 4, 2009

If it's your 1st time there, you gotta do Dunns Falls in Jamaica and Stingray City in Grand Cayman. If you go back sometime you can venture out then.

You may want to pass on Dunns Falls as from what others say it is not a nice place - lots of people selling all the time.

Sting Ray city was great.

foxc · August 4, 2009

There are two current ports in Jamaica. Are you going to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay?

Ocho Rios

boba · August 6, 2009

If it's your 1st time there, you gotta do Dunns Falls in Jamaica and Stingray City in Grand Cayman. If you go back sometime you can venture out then.

You may want to pass on Dunns Falls as from what others say it is not a nice place - lots of people selling all the time.

Sting Ray city was great.

A smile and a polite " No Thank You " works fine and just keep walking. They're pushy but they're just trying to make a living. :cool2: