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The Journey Begins: Drive to Beaches Ocho Rios
The drive from Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) to Beaches Ocho Rios is an adventure in itself. Be prepared for a somewhat bumpy ride and pack some medication if you're prone to car sickness. Grab your bag just in case. Also, don't forget to have tip money ready for the drivers.
Smooth Arrival and Check-In
Upon arrival, you'll be greeted warmly and directed to either the club level or regular check-in areas, which are conveniently located in the same lobby. The check-in process is efficient, and your bags will be taken care of, allowing you to start your vacation stress-free.
First Impressions and Dining Delights
After a long drive, we headed straight to Neptunes at the end of the pier for a delightful meal. The view of the fish swimming below made it a unique dining experience. Dinner that night was equally satisfying, setting the tone for a week of great food.
Poolside Fun and Evening Entertainment
One of the highlights was the pool, which stays open during the evening entertainment. We enjoyed various fun-filled shows, though seating can be limited. Arrive early to snag a good spot, especially for popular events like the circus and fire show. The 6:00 PM Sesame Street show was less crowded, making it easier to find a seat.
Exploring the Resort and Beach
Beaches Ocho Rios is an older resort in need of some updates, but ongoing improvements like the boat dock construction didn't disturb our stay. The beach is small and rocky near the shore, so wearing shoes until you reach the soft sand is advisable.
Thrilling Water Sports and Activities
The water sports team was fantastic! We enjoyed a variety of activities, including banana boat rides, paddleboarding, a glass-bottom boat tour, and hobie sailing. Thanks to favorable weather, we had a green flag all week, allowing us to make the most of the water activities.
Splashing Around at the Water Park
The water park caters to all ages with its range of slides. From big slides for the adventurous to smaller ones for younger kids, it offers endless fun. However, be mindful of the limited lifeguard presence, and keep an eye on your children as they play.
Beach and Pool Lounging
While finding chairs around the main pool can be a challenge due to early reservations, beach chairs were always available when we needed them. Plan accordingly if you want a prime spot by the pool.
Accommodations and Useful Tips
Our Caribbean Grand Luxe Suite with double beds was ideal for our family of five. It featured two double beds and a couch with a trundle bed, though the room was a bit hot, so packing a fan is recommended. The bathroom setup could be improved by separating the toilet area from the shower/tub for better convenience.
Accessibility and Autism Friendliness
Beaches Ocho Rios is built on a cliff/beachside, resulting in numerous stairs, but an elevator is available for those who need it. The resort is also autism-friendly, with trained staff and engaging activities for children with autism, making it a welcoming destination for all families.
Dining Options for Every Taste
No reservations are required for dinner, and casual attire is generally acceptable, except at the French restaurant. Bayside buffet became our favorite spot, offering a variety of choices to satisfy every palate.
The Importance of Club Mobay When Traveling to Jamaica
When traveling to Jamaica, having Club Mobay is essential for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here's why:
Fast Track Through Customs
One of the major benefits of Club Mobay is the fast-track service through customs. This can save you a significant amount of time, allowing you to start your vacation sooner without the stress of long lines and delays.
VIP Lounge Experience
On your departure, Club Mobay provides access to a VIP lounge. This can be a lifesaver, especially if your flight is delayed. For instance, our flight was scheduled to leave at 12:45 PM, but it was delayed twice with a final 3:00 PM departure time. Thanks to Club Mobay we had a comfortable lounge with food, drinks, and TVs to pass the time.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The VIP lounge also features a play area for kids, making it an excellent choice for families. This allows your little ones to stay entertained while you relax and enjoy the amenities.
Overall Comfort and Convenience
Club Mobay enhances your travel experience by providing comfort, convenience, and peace of mind. Whether it's speeding through customs or enjoying the lounge's facilities during a delay, Club Mobay ensures your journey is as pleasant as possible.
In summary, always opt for Club Mobay when traveling to Jamaica. It significantly improves both your arrival and departure experiences, making your trip more enjoyable and stress-free.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Beaches Ocho Rios offers a memorable vacation experience. Embrace the relaxed island time, overlook the minor updates underway, and focus on creating fun and lasting memories. We had a fantastic time, and we're sure you will too!
Enjoy your stay at Beaches Ocho Rios!
Hello, fellow adventurers!I'm thrilled to introduce myself as your dedicated travel agent, Jennifer Letcher, with an insatiable love for all things travel! Exploring new destinations and creating unforgettable experiences for my clients are my passions, and I cannot wait to share my expertise with you.A Journey of Specializations:Over the years, I've honed my skills and focused on specific areas o... Read More >>>
An expert luxury advisor with five star luxury travel packages. With a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.
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Sandals “Sexy” South Coast Should you enjoy a five or seven day vacation at South Coast? That is the question I recently asked myself. My husband and I, along with two other couples, just returned from the wonderful Sandals South Coast in Jamaica. I wish to share our recent enjoyable experience with you. The weather: Overall the weather in Jamaica is near perfect the year around. Typically, the daily temperatures fall between 73 and 89 degrees F. While we were there in March of 2022, we had temperatures between 82 and 90 degrees F. We only received one day of Liquid Sunshine! Jamaica is known to experience quick pop up rain showers during the day that are short in duration. One occurrence we encountered on this trip were abnormally high winds during the last two days of our trip. We had never witnessed such uncommon winds during our previous vacations, so we opted to spend the days at our pool to escape the uncomfortable 30 - 40 mile per hour seaside gales. What to do? Sandal resorts are all-inclusive. This includes all drinks, snacks, and food, in addition to all of the water sports offered at the Aqua Center*. In 2013 my husband and I spent our honeymoon at Sandals Royal Caribbean, but for some reason we never got to enjoy paddle boarding, and since 2013 my husband has never allowed me to forget it! So, this year he had this leisure activity at the top of our “to do” list. It was our first time and we had so much fun! I fell more times than I stood up, but the laughs we shared were worth our feeble attempts to learn. Again, this entertaining activity, and a guided snorkeling adventure we thoroughly enjoyed are part of the all-inclusive Sandals experience. My husband and I are already planning our next return getaway excursion to Sandals. Other included water activities: Scuba diving and all equipment (If Padi-Certified) (If not, for an extra fee you can get certified on property.) Hobie Cats, Paddle boards, kayaks, water skiing, glass bottom boats, tubing, windsurfing The best entertainment: At Sandals South Coast one gets to experience day and night entertainment shows. We attended the Caribbean Carnival Beach Party where one of the members of our traveling group was “volunteered” to come on stage to compete in a fun competition. We were delighted by fire blowers, tropical dancers and an amazing balancing act! For our second night we watched the Reggae Live Show. We began in the amphitheater where we heard and saw very talented singers and dancers. Then our party was escorted outside to enjoy a circus themed show. Throughout the resort, there are monitor screens advising you of upcoming nightly activities, and around the numerous pools there are constant activities to keep you entertained. Places to eat: The food is always outstanding at Sandals. South Coast has nine dining places to enjoy, ranging from very casual to resort evening attire. Our absolute favorite was Schooners! During the day we dined on Jamaican Beef Patties, a must try for all, and at night we were served surf and turf, paired with Prince Edwards Mussels, which were delicious. I highly recommend that upon arrival you make reservations for dinner at Schooners. Even though reservations are not required, due to its popularity all available tables will be taken, so it is better to have a reservation. The beach: South Coast is a protected area, and you want to remember the rule to not remove anything from the ocean. With that being said they have a great stretch of a 2-mile beach that is separated in two different parts. One is close to the front of the resort, while the other is near the Over the Water Bungalows. In my opinion you want your seat to be on the second part of the beach. Is the drive worth it: So, I started out by asking do you wish to enjoy five or seven days at South Coast? Well, it all comes down to the extended drive from the airport. The distance from Montego Bay to South Coast is 90 minutes of navigating small, rough roads, accompanied by exhilarating driving. So, if you are only staying five days, one full day is taken for transfers, thus your last (fifth) day is gone. Furthermore, since you must be at the airport three hours before your flight departs and it takes 90 minutes to get to the airport (without traffic), then that last fifth day is lost. If you arrive in the morning, you can still enjoy at least half a day. So, with a five-day trip you are only getting three full days to enjoy South Coast. So, in my opinion for a South Coast vacation, I recommend the seven day trip. But, please contact me and we can discuss the particulars, then allow you to decide the length of your amazing trip. If you are ready to book your next vacation to Sandals South Coast, the best time to plan is now; rooms are booking up fast. I am a Jamaican Travel Specialist and I would love to help you plan your next holiday excursion.
Traveling during Covid-19 can be tricking. Does your location need a negative Covid test? Does it require Covid vaccinations? What happens if I test positive while away? These are all questions I can help answer when booking with me. I was able to travel to Jamaica November 2020 during Covid. We had such an amazing time and were still able to enjoy it all. I would love to help you plan your next vacation.
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