Accommodations for every budget...

In Jamaica you will find accommodations in every style and for every budget. From small and grubby rooms to luxury and elegant resorts, Jamaica has it, it is all up to you...

General
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) publishes a list of hotels, guest houses and other places to stay twice a year. All accommodations listed are 'JTB proved', which means this places are in good condition.
However, many, many, accommodations not on the list are perfectly all right to. And, it also depends on your needs and wishes if an accommodation is good or not.

There are two seasons: Low season, from mid-April to mid-December. High season is from mid-December to mid-April, with a peak at Christmas/New Year and Easter.
In high season some hotel prices increase 30% or more, so take a good look at these prices. But there are also hotels which have one price during the whole year or offer discounts based on the length of your stay. Feel free to ask, most owners are willing to tell you!

Hotels
All kinds of hotels can be found in Jamaica, from simple and cheap to luxury all-inclusive resorts.
Most hotels are in the medium range: medium sized and prized, but comfortable and clean. These hotels are a good way to combine a beach or adventure vacation with a nice place to stay. Most can be found in the tourist areas, but there are also some located in other interesting areas.

For a low budget cheap hotels are available. Most are not bad concerning price-quality, but beware, some are dirty and grubby!

If you want a complete and luxury vacation, Jamaica is your place to be. A lot of all-inclusive and top hotels have beds available in the most visited places to satisfy your luxury needs as well.
Please not that not all all-inclusive resorts accommodate children under 16, so check this first if you want to book such a place with your kid(s).

Most hotels run on European Plan (EP), but American Plan (AP) also is available.


Guest Houses
A charming way to explore Jamaica is staying in guest houses. Most Jamaicans use these accommodations while traveling the island, because most guest houses are not expensive.
Most of them are family owned. They're small and clean. The owner provides breakfast and (sometimes) dinner.

A guest house can be everything: a small building with one or two guest rooms or a complete ancient plantation house. Most guest houses are located inland, just a few can be found on the beach.
Keep in mind that the term 'guest house' sometimes is abused by people who wants to earn a little money. Check before you check in...

After all, guest houses are a cheap way to stay in Jamaica. And guesthouses are a good way to mix with the Jamaicans and learn about the island and its way of life.

Villas and apartments
When visiting Jamaica with a group of family members or friends, renting a villa or an apartment can be a good choice.
Villas and apartments in Jamaica can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes, and locations. Whether your choice is a cottage on a beach, a palatial estate in the hills overlooking the Caribbean Sea, or a private condo, there is enough choice around the island.

If you are interested in renting a villa or an apartment, check the Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments (JAVA) in Ocho Rios (http://www.villasinjamaica.com). Other recourses to find a villa or apartment can be the travel section of your local newspaper and travel magazines like Caribbean Travel & Life.
And, in the near future, DutchJamaica.com ;-)


Camping
There are a few camping facilities in Jamaica, most in the Blue Mountains and around Negril. But, besides these expectations Jamaica is not really setup for camping so far.
Camping in the wild is risky, the threat of robbery (or worse) is really high, so forget it.
Check the Jamaica Tourist Board for more camping info.

Insiders Jamaica
When you book an 'Insiders' vacation, you are enrolled in a discount program that give you a 25% discount at attractions, 15% discounts at restaurants and a one class upgrade on car rentals.

The Insiders Tour of Jamaica really is a special program that offers you more than just a great vacation. You'll not only make a lot of new friends but you'll see a side of Jamaica reserved for the 'insiders'. Obtain more info at the Jamaica Tourist Board or at http://www.insidersjamaica.com.

Meet the People
The Jamaica Tourist Board operates the 'Meet the People' program. The program places visitors with Jamaicans of similar ages. These visits can be a lunch or a dinner, but often the visitors stay overnight with the Jamaicans in their houses.
'Meet the People' is an excellent way to enjoy Jamaica and make new friends and so the program is absolutely worth to try! Contact the JTB for more information.

More detailed information on all kinds of accommodations can be found soon in the local sections of this website. In the meantime, drop us your experiences!