Jamaica

[RudolfTheRed]

I want to visit Jamaica but I don't want to visit the same old tourist places like Negril. Does anyone have any other suggestions of places to go where I also might be able to find some decent weed or hash?
thanks

 

[accessndx]

Ocho Rios. Near Dunn's River falls. Nice place. Stayed at Ciboney years ago.....they styled me out with the fridge full of fresh fruit and red stripe beer every day. Private beach....it was bangin.....

I remember swimming out to the perimeter of the roped in area for swimming.....and a rowboat went on by....they asked me if I wanted any nug....they put it in a shell

Of course you want the "lamb's bread"....tell them you want what their grandfather smoked...none of that nonsense they push on tourists.

Enjoy your trip man.

 

[Kiefer Suthrlnd]

how was it smoking inside where you stayed?

 

[RudolfTheRed]

any places in the mountains that are recommended to people especially tokers?

 

[pescador]

Stay at Jah B's near the peak of the blue mountains. Wonderful people, good price, amazing Ital food, and he has just expanded his already very decent lodge.

http://worldstogethertravel.com/jamaica/blue-host.html

Going to Bath St Thomas for the hot springs is also recommended.

 

[RudolfTheRed]

thanks for the advice everyone.

anyone else wants to pitch in feel free..

 

[accessndx]

how was it smoking inside where you stayed?

Funny enough.....it was totally cool because you essentially have the run of a private cottage on the property....with a backyard and a private pool. It was totally luxuriating....

My chick was a bit of a buzzkill cause she was paranoid. I had to "take my business elsewhere"....not too difficult cause I just walked on the beach and burned...or hung out by my private pool (could only be shared by the other occupants of the house which was built for two families/couples). Consequently, noone was staying in that particular cottage at the time we were there.

Nothing better than a Red Stripe with a big J.

One other thing: from the time we LANDED in Jamaica....people were offering weed: the bus drivers, the taxi drivers, the tour guides....I mean practically everyone. Shouldn't be difficult to find. Just don't get taken in on the quality...call them out on the carpet if the nugs don't fit the hype. If they know you know what you're talking about...they come to the quick realization that if a sale is to be made (which supports the local economy!)....they have to ante up and give you the real deal.

Have fun. Let me know how things turn out.

 

[accessndx]

Ciboney RENAMED as "BEACHES GRAND SPORT" in Jamaica.

Ciboney RENAMED as "BEACHES GRAND SPORT" in Jamaica.

Some more info. from:
http://www.all-inclusive-jamaica.com/ciboney.htm

Ciboney offers personal pampering like no other all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, perfect for those wanting to get away from it all. This resort offers all the amenities and extras you'd expect in a world class luxury resort. Recreation programs abound with tennis, volleyball, and croquet. Guests can also enjoy any of the many watersports activities or relax in the European style spa. In between all those activities gourmet dining is available in a choice of four gourmet restaurants.

Situated on Jamaica's northern coast, on a hillside with 45 acres of lush tropical garden, Ciboney Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica's premier AAA Four Diamond All-Inclusive Resorts. Three hundred accommodations encompassing villas and a Greathouse, most featuring air-conditioned bedrooms, shared pool and sun deck, a stocked bar, satellite television, hair dryers, and safe boxes.

There are four restaurants and two cafes on the property ranging from elegant culinary cuisine, gourmet Jamaican specialties, and Italian and International cuisine. A bakery is on site serving fresh-baked bread and pastries daily.

Activities are endless. Water sports include snorkeling, sunfish sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides. On land you can choose from horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and golf to name a few. There is a gift shop and boutique on the premises and a "Hot Slots" gaming room for your entertainment. Evening theme parties and beach parties will keep you awake well into the night.

A highlight at Ciboney and a feature of highest recognition is the Elysium Spa and Salon. An array of spa and salon services are offered and guests receive one complimentary treatment per day. Ciboney also has exceptional meeting and conference facilities and has received the Gold Key Award from Meeting Planners and the Gold Platter Award for Culinary Excellence in Banqueting.

ACTIVITIES

WATERSPORTS: •Private Beach Club •Snorkeling •Sunfish Sailing •Windsurfing •Kayaking •Glass-bottom boat rides •Sun bathing •Swimming •Tug of war •Volleyball • Scuba (1-tank dive avail for addtl chg of approx $45)

POOLS/BEACHES •90 Swimming pools •20 Whirlpools •Two large free-form pools with whirlpools and waterfalls at the Greathouse and at the Beach Club •Swim-up bar at both the Greathouse Pool and the Beach Club Pool •Late night food and bar service at the Greathouse pool bar •Private Beach Club - a beautiful beach on the Caribbean Sea •Cafes at the Beach Club pool and the Greathouse Pool •Evening beach parties

ELYSIUM SPA & SALON •Spa and salon services for men and women* •Aerobics studio •Fully equipped exercise and weights studio •Supervised fitness programs •Separate men's and women's locker rooms •Whirlpool with cold water plunge pool •Complimentary treatments are manicure, pedicure and a choice of 25 minute massage either back and neck, full body or reflexology

Other spa and salon services are available for a modest surchage. These include: •Skin care treatments including body scrubs and wraps •Facials •Waxing •Make-up applications •Hair styling and nail design •"Pamper Packages" (all day or half day) All services and treatments require appointments and are subject to availability. Complimentary treatments are one per person, per stay. Repeats are available at a modest surchage. Make your reservations early to avoid disappointment. *Ciboney has the right to refuse treatment if the guest does not meet health requirements.

Other Sports: •3 Clay and 3 Hard Tennis Courts (Lighted for Night Play) •Squash Court •Horseshoes •Shuffleboard •Croquet •Volleyball at the Private Beach Club - a beautiful beach on the Caribbean Sea •Basketball (Half Court) •Giant Lawn Chess •Private Tennis Lessons subject to a modest surcharge •Horseshoes •Shuffleboard •Croquet •Jogging Trail •Walking Course •Golf at nearby 18-Hole Course (Greens Fees and Transfers included) •Fun Activities Organized Daily

Activities available for a modest surcharge include:•Scuba Diving and Lessons •Golf Caddies, Carts, Club Rentals and Lessons •Private Tennis Lessons •River Rafting •Sailing Cruise •Deep-sea Charter Boat Fishing •Horseback Riding •Downhill Bicycle Tour


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DINING

Our four main restaurants prepare each meal with the finest ingredients, in most cases with spices and herbs grown locally in carefully preserved gardens. And because Ciboney is a luxury, all-inclusive resort, all your delightfully prepared meals, tropical drinks and beachside brunches are included in one, all-inclusive price.

Best of all, should you want to dine in your villa suite, our butler/chef will come and prepare a gourmet meal right before your eyes! To compliment your gourmet activities, Ciboney also provides you with many forms of entertainment which is also included in your all-inclusive price. Parties, piano bar nightly, local entertainers, a disco on property, a gaming room and more. You will have nothing to do only if that is what you want to do.

THE MANOR: The Manor, an exceptional dinning experience, with its rich mahogany walls and chandeliers, specializes in classic and rustic Jamaican cuisine served from a unique open kitchen concept.

CASA NINA: Casa Nina is our exciting al fresco beach front restaurant, specializing in Jamaican influenced Italian cuisine. While gazing at the sea you can enjoy our homemade pasta dishes or a variety of our famous Jamaican favorites.

ORCHIDS: Orchid's features nutritional gourmet cuisine. As you sit among the pastel colors and mural rich walls, you can savor fabulous delights developed in conjunction with the Culinary Institute of America.

The Ciboney Grill and Market Place: offers you casual dining experience, while surrounded by the ambience of a Jamaican outdoor market. Here you can enjoy many specialties from a casual snack to a full dinner.

BARS/CAFES

•The Manor Bar which includes a Piano Bar •Nicole night club •Late night bar service at the Greathouse Pool Bar •A selection of international wines at all resort restaurants •There are two-swim up bars at each of the main pools. One near the Greathouse and one pool at the Beach Club •Complete bar service at 7 locations •Late night food service at the Greathouse Pool cafe •There are cafes at each of the main pools. One pool near the Greathouse and one pool at the Beach Club


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACCOMMODATIONS

Most Jamaican vacation spots are just glorified hotels. Not Ciboney Ocho Rios.This is the Real Jamaica. The way you have always dreamed it ... Here we offer 236 oversized villa suites, 54 guest rooms and 14 private honeymoon villas (all average twice the size of other Caribbean resorts), quietly nested on 45 acres of tropical gardens overlooking the crystal clear Caribbean ocean. When you return to your suite after a day at the beach club or dinner and dancing, you feel relaxed and comfortable in your cozy Ciboney Villa Suite, complete with semi-private plunge pool, spacious living room, kitchen and bar.

Standard: 300 sq. ft. Standard rooms feature air-conditioning, private balcony, full bath, ceiling fan, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer. The view will either be an ocean or mountainview.

Deluxe Villa Room: 312 sq ft Deluxe rooms feature air-conditioning, private balcony or patio, full bath, ceiling fan, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer. This type of room also has a shared/semi-private pool and a mini-refrigerator with beer and soft drinks. The view will either be an ocean or mountainview.

Junior Villa Suite: 600 sq ft •Junior Villa Suites feature air-conditioning, private balcony or patio, full bath, ceiling fan, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer. This type of room also has a shared/semi-private pool, combination bedroom/living area, kitchenette with refrigerator, stove, and stocked bar.

1 Bedroom Villa Suite: 750 sq ft The 1 bedroom villa suite features an air-conditioned bedroom, living room, and patio with a gardenview. Other features include a full bath, ceiling fans, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer. This type of room also has a shared/semi-private pool, kitchen with refrigerator, stove, stocked bar and snacks.

Honeymoon Villa Suite: 1200 sq ft •The honeymoon villa suite features an air-conditioned bedroom, full bath with Roman tub, his and hers sinks, private in - villa courtyard with pool and jacuzzi, and kitchen with refrigerator, stove, stocked bar, and champagne and snacks. Other features include a separate living/dining area, ceiling fans, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, radio, and hair dryer. Light washing and ironing along with packing and unpacking services are included. A cooked breakfast in the villa is included along with fresh fruit daily. The honeymoon villa suite also has a private villa attendant. Complimentary in-room villa dining is available (the in-room villa dining is at an additional cost. Also included is a 5 spa treatment which includes a manicure, pedicure and 3 massages per person.

Diamond 1 Bedroom Villa Suite: (Same room as 1-bdroom, but with villa attendant, spa treatments pkg) 750 sq ft The Diamond 1 Bedroom Villa Suite features an air-conditioned bedroom, living room, shared/semi-private pool, and full bath. There is a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, stocked bar and snacks. This room category includes all the standard in room amenities such as patio, ceiling fans, 14 - channel cable TV, direct dial telephone, clock radio, and hair dryer. There is a special personalized villa attendant service to include cooked breakfast in villa, light washing and ironing, packing and unpacking, robe and slippers, in-villa dining and fresh fruit daily. Also included is a 5 spa treatment which includes a manicure, pedicure and 3 massages per person.

Diamond 2 Bedroom Villa Suite: 1600 sq ft •Occupancy limits - 4 adults, 4 total •The 2 Bedroom Villa Suite features two air-conditioned master bedrooms, private pool, private patio, 2 full baths, living room, ceiling fans, kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, stocked bar and snacks, personalized villa attendant service, 14-channel cable TV, VCR, direct dial phone, clock radio, hair dryer, complimentary manicure, pedicure and massage from a select menu based on availability. Also included is a 5 spa treatment which includes a manicure, pedicure and 3 massages per person.

Supersaver• In-room amenities include air-conditioning, private balcony, full bath, ceiling fan, cable TV, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer.

Supersaver Suite: In-room amenities include air-conditioning, private balcony, full bath, ceiling fan, cable TV cable, direct dial telephone, AM/FM radio, and hair dryer. This type of room also has a shared/semi-private pool and a mini-refrigerator with beer and soft drinks.

MISC:

Miscellaneous Information •Scuba diving is now an optional feature. For a one tank dive it will be approximately $45 USD.

•Complete spa program including aerobics, exercise stations and free weights. Manicures, pedicures, masseuse and masseur, herbal wraps, body scrubs, waxing and beautician services are available at an additional charge. •For in-room dining there is a surcharge for candlelight dinner •In the Villa suites room only, a continental breakfast can be delivered between 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. •A new fashion boutique - Cia Bella

Even more info specifying that the resort has been "Renamed" since I've been there long, long ago....:
http://www.epinions.com/content_72272481924

A Week in Jamaica at the Beaches Grande Sport
Written: Aug 05 '02 (Updated Aug 05 '02)

Product Rating:
Pros: Comfortable rooms, nice beach, good food and service, plenty of activities and choices

Cons: It's hard to shower using only a few teeny sprays of water

The Bottom Line: With a wide selection of activities, good food and a beautiful Caribbean setting, the Beaches Grande Sport (formerly Ciboney) is a nice getaway or romantic retreat.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kazu's Full Review: Ciboney Resort
Two weeks ago I returned from my first "real" vacation. It wasn't a drive across the US/Canada or US/Mexico border, a trip back home to see the nutty people we call family, or even a scenic drive down the coast. This time we decided to do it right. After sizing up various sunny and tropical destinations, we selected Jamaica because of the many all-inclusive resorts there. Not having to worry about how much we're spending on food and activities was very appealing. Most appealing to my husband was being able to drink free beer and mai tais all day long. Having decided on the island, some digging through online travel sites yielded a good package deal at the Beaches Grande Sport in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We chose it because of what we got for the price, and also because it's an adults-only resort; guests must be 16 or older. There were lots of honeymooners there.

The Beaches Grande Sport is one of a number of resorts in Jamaica which are part of the Beaches chain, owned by Sandals. Formerly known as Ciboney, this resort is said to be the oldest all-inclusive in Jamaica. It's located on a hillside in Ocho Rios and is a complex which includes the Great House, where there are restaurants, guest rooms and other facilities, villas on the hill behind the Great House, and a beach accessible by foot or more conveniently by shuttle bus across the street. There are four on-site restaurants, three in the Great House and one on the beach, plus a poolside grill and swim-up bars (one swim-up bar each at the pool near the Great House and the pool at the beach).

Getting there really was half the fun... some people may complain about the long bus ride to the resort from the airport, but I found it to be one of the highlights of the trip. Jamaica is very different from the US, and it was interesting to see the "real" people and scenes of the island before being tucked away in the tourist-oriented setting of the resort. Do take your Dramamine, though, since it's a bit of a hairy ride. Our driver announced that he had a PHD degree - "Pot Hole Dodger." Although the resort is all-inclusive and has a no-tipping policy, the bus drivers to and from the airport do get tipped (and will remind you if you forget), as do the tour bus drivers and baggage porters at the airport.

Resort grounds and activities
The resort is very green and well-landscaped. Some of the plants and trees along the path to our villa room were labeled with the species names. Activities available at the Beaches Grande Sport include tennis, a rock climbing wall, water aerobics, "Reggaecize" and other fitness activities, crafts, evening entertainment at the Nicole nightclub and twice-weekly theme dinners, and water sports including snorkeling, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, and SCUBA diving. My husband, a certified diver, took advantage of three dives while we were there, and I took a beginning SCUBA class but was unable to dive because of some recent oral surgery (apparently compressed air and scar tissue don't mix well). That's probably a good thing since my husband dubbed my first-time snorkeling experience the "open water struggle," also known as "snorkdorkeling."

My favorite activity was simply relaxing on the beach, in the corner under the shade of some low-hanging trees. The beach is small but very nice and didn't ever seem overly crowded. Taking the beach shuttle never presented a problem and the wait for the shuttle was 15 minutes or less. Yellow mats are available at the beach to pad the lounge chairs and float on in the ocean. The first day we were there we swam out to the floating water trampoline, which was fun for a few minutes. There's a platform up the stairs to the left of the beach where guests can get massages while listening to the sound of the ocean... very relaxing. They'll charge the massage to your room. The Beaches Grande Sport also has a full-service spa on site, but we didn't visit the spa. Many of the women had their hair braided at the spa during their stays. Spa services are extra, not part of the all-inclusive package.

For an extra cost you can also book off-resort tours with the tour desk. The guys at the tour desk were very helpful and also very tolerant of the changes we made to our schedule. Because of my husband's SCUBA dives we ended up taking only one off-site tour, which was climbing Dunn's River Falls, a beautiful cascade a few miles from the resort. It's a beautiful place and it was fun to climb through the water to the top of the falls. We rented funny-looking plastic climbing booties there, though we could have and should have bought our own water shoes beforehand at the Beaches gift shop. It's a little sad how crowded it is, though (there were literally traffic jams of people climbing the falls, all in a big line), and that people have carved graffiti into some of the rocks near the top. My aunt and uncle went to Jamaica on their honeymoon 45 years ago and said they were the only people at Dunn's River Falls. I sure wish I could have seen it then.

Other tours which were recommended to us by other guests were the Blue Mountain bike tour, which is about 18 miles straight downhill through beautiful terrain (and you can buy Blue Mountain coffee, said to be some of the best in the world, there for $10/bag), and the river rafting tour. Other tours available include horseback riding, a helicopter tour, Bob Marley's tomb tour, Dolphin Cove (swim with dolphins), and many more. We thought of taking the Ocho Rios shopping tour but were ultimately glad we didn't. If you like jewelry and such you may want to give it a shot, as long as you don't mind being approached by aggressive vendors. You'll be expected to bargain at any of the craft markets in Jamaica, and we were told to remember the term "menowant" (effective) instead of "no thank you" (ineffective).

Guest accommodations
I didn't see the Great House rooms, but our one-bedroom villa suite was comfortable and spacious. It wasn't brand new but it was certainly nice enough and had a distinct tropical feel to it (lots of aquas and peach/rose tones; the tile floor especially added to the island feel). It was on the upper floor of a two-story villa which housed two suites on top and two below. The patio overlooked the shared pool. Most villas have shared pools; some of the more expensive ones, including the honeymoon villas, have their own pools.

Our room had a king-sized bed (I believe the rooms on the lower level have two twins), and there was a bedroom, a living/sitting room, and a kitchenette where the fridge was always stocked with soda and other drinks. The air conditioning unit was in the bedroom so the living room never quite got chilly cool, but it wasn't uncomfortable. There are lots of ventilation slots in the suite if you want fresh air rather than conditioned air, but we opted for the A/C. We had two lizard visitors and a few ants during our stay.

My only complaint about the room was the terrible showerhead in the bathroom. Our shower was always at a mere trickle, which made it a bit of a challenge to rinse. I don't think it was the water pressure because when I removed the showerhead water came out at a nice clip, but after three requests for a replacement showerhead they'd come and fiddled with it but that's all. Oh well, it didn't make or break the vacation.

The package rate we paid was around $3500, which included six nights in the one-bedroom villa suite, food, drinks, activities, airfare from Seattle, airport transfers, and travel insurance. The least expensive rate I saw was around $2750, which would have included a mountain view room in the Great House.

Restaurants
On our first night, tired from nearly a full day of travel and running on about two hours of sleep, we ate at the Manor Restaurant, a casual fine dining restaurant located in the Great House. We were surprised to receive such nice service - waiters with towels draped over their arms, spreading the napkin in your lap and the whole bit - and an interesting selection of Caribbean-style cuisine. My husband had one meal there he didn't care for, but otherwise it was very good. Be sure to get the smoked blue marlin appetizer if it's offered! The Manor restaurant is open for dinner only and closed on Tuesday.

Orchids is also located in the Great House and offers Asian cuisine. It's open for breakfast and for dinner, closed Mondays and Fridays and closed for breakfast on Sundays. We ate breakfast there once but didn't eat there for dinner because there's a dress code and my husband didn't bring shoes other than sneakers and sandals.

The San Gennaro restaurant serves Italian food and is located at the beach. They have buffet-style grill offerings at lunchtime and reservations are required for dinner. It's closed for dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays (the restaurant closures are to accommodate the theme dinners held at the Grande Sport, which when we were there were Beach Party night and Caribbean night, and both were fun). My husband enjoyed the food at the San Gennaro restaurant but my ravioli was undercooked, definitely the worst meal during our stay.

The restaurant where we ended up eating most frequently was the Marketplace Restaurant, a buffet restaurant with a huge selection. After a couple of days we didn't even have to discuss where to eat - we'd just head down there for breakfast. Lo and behold, we discovered they had the same delicious smoked blue marlin we'd had at the Manor restaurant! Consequently I had marlin with nearly every meal while I was there. The Marketplace is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays and Fridays.

I don't think we ate inside the whole time we were there, with the exception of our breakfast at Orchid's. Each of the other restaurants have outdoor seating areas, which we took full advantage of since we were, after all, in the Caribbean and not back in often-chilly Seattle. There were a handful of stray cats who would prowl the restaurant areas hoping for a handout. I'll admit we fed them a time or two. I'm such a sucker for pointy ears and whiskers.

We thoroughly enjoyed Jamaica and our stay at the Beaches Grande Sport and although we'll probably try somewhere new next time, I'd definitely recommend it. You can find more information about the resort at www.beaches.com (don't pay rack rate for the room, though - go through a travel agent and get a package). My travel photos are at www.commentator.org/jamaica


Recommended:
Yes

Even more links:

http://www.changes.com/resorts/beaches-grande/

 

[killerhydrovzla]

Great Info, Thank you!!