Customer Reviews

Frommer's(r) Jamaica, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I very much liked the 2nd edition of this text. I purchased the 3rd edition because we are planning our third trip to Jamaica. Unfortunately, this new edition contains very little updated information. In fact, two of the newer Riu hotels in Negril (one of which opened in 2001) are not even included in this guide.
This is a very helpful guidebook, but don't bother buying the new edition if you already have the 2nd edition. You can find as much useful information online.

I recently got married and this guide was all I needed to find the best of Jamaica. With its section on the Best of Jamaica, I was given the top choices for everything from the best beaches, honeymoon resorts, romantic getaways, shopping buys, and gold courses. This guide made planning my trip simple, with all the information I needed to know before I got there, like the exchange rate, the calendar of events, and tips on dining out and shopping.

I grew up in Jamaica, but never really took advantage of the "tourist stuff" while there (who does that at home?). I found this book very helpful for sifting through all the many things the island had to offer and targeting the best (and most reasonably priced) restaurants, hotels, etc. on my last visit.

Only thing they missed, like most reviews, is the cultural differences across the island. Just like Arkansas and New York don't have the same culture, accent, terms, etc., the same is true of different regions in Jamaica.

We're going to Jamaica next year and although there is an ABUNDANCE of information online I really wanted a small travel book to have at home and to take with us. I looked up numerous book reviews, but kept coming back to the Frommers Guides. Additionally I took notice of others that suggested not wasting money on purchasing an updated version, because this version was just as helpful. Either way I figured I'd get at least my $5 out of it and so far I have. In fact the couple that is going with us saw it on a table at our house and after looking through it asked where they could get their own copy? (I told them Amazon.com of course!) It definitely has some useful information for the area we will be visiting, including several attractions we were curious about like Dunns River Falls and the Rain Forest Trams in Ocho Rios. The maps, although small are nice to have too. All in all, I'm happy with this purchase.

For example, the book lists a tour company for Ocho Rios. I called the company and they stated they do not even tour the area. In addition, with no photos of the attractions described, the book is useless. The airport gift shops had better Jamaican books than this one.

In addition, the book is suppose to be the source on Jamaica yet doesn't mention the bath area or the healing springs at all. I would not recommend this book.

i love buying travel books and maps from amazon however there was no copyright date visiable and it turned out to be an out of date book but still very helpful
thankyou
sf

Every restaurant they say is great has been terrible; every one they say is average has been great. One of the restaurants they recommend in Mo Bay has been closed for two years... "worth the trip up the hill"... not really.

Where the tennis is recommended, it's not actually available to people not staying at the resort. Where the "tourists mingle with the locals", it's... just... nasty.

We're loving Montego Bay and we're staying at the most amazing B&B (Polkerris) ever. Come to Montego Bay... but don't buy this book!

Great resource. Gave us what we needed. Especially liked the explanation of what each city was like and its personality.

This book was very helpful in our honeymoon to Jamaica! It was pretty accurate with a lot of things....it could use a brief update though :)

A fairly useless guide, with many facts but no feeling. Everyone knows their own expectations of Jamaica. This book does not address this at all.