Jamaica Travel Tips, Part 3

[Hotel Mocking Bird Hill]

Clothes

We advise rather than picking out a few things in your wardrobe, to think outfits –beyond the beach there are plenty of occasions when you will need more than a swimsuit including dinner at Mille Fleurs. For a 2-week holiday think of those occasions and prepare 4 outfits around them. Try to choose cotton and linen where possible which are comfortable and quick drying and allow the skin to breathe, in humid conditions jeans do end up feeling like you are wearing a weight as well as socks that will "wick" (draw moisture away from the skin).

 

Make clothing items do double duty, men's shorts can double as swimming trunks, a woman's tankini top can be an evening top. A shirt can layer over a dress in place of a jacket.

A Kagool is useful to carry around in the case of a storm blowing up. A loose jacket is perfect for the evening, you will not need a cardigan or jumper unless you’re spending time in the mountains in the winter.

Amongst your outfits do try and include a convertible pair of trousers with zips, so that you can shorten or lengthen them depending on where you are visiting and according to the temperature. An elasticised -waist is slightly more comfortable to wear in humid weather than having buttons cut in. Trousers with zips are perfect to hold all those precious essentials and are lighter than carrying around a big bag.

 

On your flight to Jamaica we suggest one change of outfit in your hand luggage, or the minimum of 1 large t-shirt, a change of underwear and any essential medication, spare glasses that you take and hang on to that airline toothbrush as it could come in handy – and one or two books in case of delays. Every airport has its fair share of left luggage disasters, and it’s better to proactively plan for the worst so that the first couple days of your holiday won’t be ruined having to run round clothes shops or pharmacies buying essentials to see you through. Since you are coming to a beach location and the hotel has a pool you might want to include your swimsuit as well. Bring two swimsuits so you'll always have a dry one

 

Flashlight

A small Maglite is always handy. Jamaica often experiences power cuts and it can be quite comforting to have one of these close by in your room or if you are out and about before local establishment generators kick in.

First Aid kit

It is useful to have some simple home remedies with you in case you feel off colour –for example some packets of electrolytes when you might have too much sun – although fresh Coconut water or “Jelly Water” as it is known here works wonders too as a natural treatment with similar qualities as electrolytes. We do have various herbal teas that help with upset tummies such as ginger, camomile or fennel so please do not hesitate to ask us and we will be happy to help with these but you can get some simple remedies for yourselves and have on hand at all times – please consult your doctor – we have listed some simple ones as suggestions:

• Tiger Balm – wonderful for any itchy bites
• Nux Vomica 6x pills (miraculous for acute tummy troubles and some flues and often a lot of other things)
• Arnica cream or tincture for use only on unbroken skin for battering and bruising
• Arnica pills – works miraculous wonders if the event of any physical trauma such as twisted ankles etc.
• Hypericum perforatum for all squeezed nerves - fingers in car doors and falling on your tail bone or knocking the daylights out of your funny bone and squeezed back disks and shingles

Also

• bandaids
• fever, pain relievers and cold medicine, etc.
• allergy kit, if needed
• Motion sickness preventative if inclined
• Mild laxatives
• Diarrhea medication

 

Glasses

If you need glasses to see make sure you have a back up: an old pair, contacts or prescription sunglasses.

 

Guidebooks

Bring one along as it does contain lots of good information, but remember things do change and some of the information may be outdated. Check the facts at the hotel before you head out.

 

Hats

Our advice is to bring a classic Tilly Hat. It floats, it has its own built in pockets and made in multiple sizes so you can be sure of a good fit, and on the occasional windy day its handy ties won’t leave you hatless and exposed to the strong rays of the sun.