Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens When I arrive?

Our experience is that by reserving Airport pick-up ($150 approx by our Cottage Manager/Driver) you are provided with the easiest and most convenient way to reach your destination especially after a long haul flight. Your party will be transported by private air-conditioned bus service directly to the Cottage. The journey from Montego Bay will take approximately 90 minutes making a great introduction to the island.

You may request food/drink/household supplies to be stocked up prior to your arrival. These will be provided with a service charge of 10% added to the cost.

Service and Security: The Cottage Manager is on call 24 hours a day.

Dress: Negril is the capital of casual. You will not need your high heels here. Forget your bath robes and jackets, it will be too warm. Beautifully coloured sarongs are available from local traders. In the Winter you may need light sleeves when strolling along the beach at night.

Weddings can be arranged: ask for information in advance as you will be required to carry certain papers with you.

Nightlife: There are nightly live reggae shows on the beach. There are sunset shows at Rick's Café just a 10 minute stroll away. From time to time big artists perform in Negril. Ask the Cottage Manager what is coming up during your stay. The famous annual Reggae Sunfest is held in Montego Bay every March.

The Law: Cannabis “Ganga” is ILLEGAL, full stop.

Money Money Money Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean which relies on many imports and international trade deals do not offer a balance of income. Imports are mainly paid for with US dollars. The rate fluctuates regularly. Check on the internet or with your bank before you leave home. You can travel with cash to get by for the first two days. Foreign currency is easily exchanged in Negril from Monday to Friday. You may wish to carry Traveller's Cheques or just carry your ATM/Cash Point card. There are several ATMs in Negril but do remember to bring your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for any card you may think you will need to use. You must have your Credit Card PIN with you as you need to ‘Chip and Pin' in Jamaica. The nearest place to change your money is at Banmark at the top of Somerset Road. Here will get as good a rate as at the banks without the need to queue and waste your precious holiday time.

Is it sate? As with all places in the world you need to use your common sense even when you are on vacation. The house is situated within 2 minutes walk to the nearest hotel/resort so just off a tourist street. The cottage manager is at your service during your stay and is resident in the Annex.

Travel Insurance: Make sure your policy covers Jamaica. Some policies do not provide worldwide cover. The owners, management and staff are not liable in respect of loss, damage or changes caused by force majeur (eg strikes, airport closure, floods, adverse weather conditions) or for any accident, loss or damage incurred during your stay, whether on or near the property. Parents should be particularly vigilant for their children in new surroundings. All guests are asked to refer to this section of our web site before making final payment.

Malaria: There is neither malaria nor rabies in Jamaica but check with your local GP or call NHS Direct (U.K.) for up to date information. Upon arrival stock up on bug repellent if you are susceptible to insect/mosquito bites.

Negril Medical Centre: Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril. Nearest hospital 20 minutes away in Savanna La Mar.

Food: When in Jamaica do try some of the local cuisine. Akee & Salt fish is the national dish. You can see the beautiful red Akee pushing out its yellow fruit on the trees during the Summer months.

Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Fish and Bammy are Jamaicans' favourite breakfast – feast on these and you are fuelled up for the day. Piping hot Jamaican Patties are available for many vendors and bakers. Curry Goat is a speciality. Callalloo and Okra are delicious accompaniments. However, European and American breakfasts are served in the local restaurants. Negril has many restaurants including Italian, Chinese, Pizzas and Burger King. Fresh fish can be obtained by waving to fishermen from the cliffs or ask the Cottage Manager to supply you with fresh fish or arrange a Barbeque in the garden. Red Snapper and Conch are local favourites.

Hair braiding: Local women offer a hair-braiding service. Be careful to wear a hat even in the water to avoid getting your head burnt.

Mobile Phones: Can by hired. Otherwise you can have the chip in your own phone changed in Negril. Calling cards are available from shops and supermarkets. Ask your friends and family to use home based calling cards when they phone you or you could be surprised to find a hefty phone bill upon your return. Cards bought abroad will not work in Jamaica.

Which Taxis? Only use a marked licensed taxis whose insurance covers tourists. They are recognisable by the red number plates.

Language: Patois (pronounced Pat'wah) the island's form of language made up mainly of English words. The official language is English.

Irie - Happy

A who dat? Who's that

Wha go on? What's new?

A' Yard – at home

Soon come – Wait a second or Later

Ice wata - Cold water

Chriss – Lovely, nice

A wan Irie likkle place – It's a very nice place

Driving is on the left as in the UK. Ask the Cottage Manager about bike, motorbike or car hire.

Water: The water in the tap is fit for drinking as it is filtered naturally by limestone.

What do the Jamaican flag colours mean? “Hardships there are but land is green and the sun shineth”

Bird watchers look out for the huge Barn Owls as they wake to their nocturnal hunt for food for their fluffy chicks. Parakeets, yellow birds and the national bird, the Humming Bird are also residents of the neighbourhood. The best time to look out for birds is early morning or late afternoon. The Doctor Bird or Swallowtail Hummingbird (Trochilus ploytmus)lives only in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of Humming Birds. It is well to note that the beautiful feathers of these birds have no counterpart in the entire bird population and produce iridescent colours characteristic only of that family. The Doctor Bird has been immortalised for many decades in Jamaican folklore and song.

Weather: The temperature is pretty much constant all year round in the high 80s.

Holiday Ethics: We operate on an ethical policy whereby the local community benefits. The owner of the Cottage is a Jamaican and the manager at your call is a local expert. Payments for tours offered go directly to the local taxi/bus driver and not into the hands of a foreign tour operator. The cleaning and laundry services provided help to support local families. We encourage you to shop locally and support the traders in the neighbourhood. As with all travel in the third world, be aware of where your money is going and patronise locally-owned inns, restaurants and shops. Try to keep your money within the local economy, so the people you are visiting can benefit directly.

Remember the economic realities of your new currency, the Jamaican Dollar. A few ‘Jays' one way or another is not going to ruin you. Don't get all bent out of shape over the fact that a visitor who earns 100 times a local's salary might be expected to pay a few cents more for a t-shirt, towel or coconut.

Bargain fairly and with respect to the seller. Again, remember the economic realities of where you are. The final transaction should leave both buyer and seller satisfied and pleased. Haggling for a carpet for example, is part of many cultures; but it is not a bargain if either person feels exploited, diminished or ripped-off.

Why pack items such as sun screen and shampoo when you can support the locals where you are visiting and avoid the risk of spills in your suitcase? The last think you want to happen to your holiday outfits.

If you have any unwanted books we will ensure that they are donated to the local library or school.

How much is Airport Pick-up? $150 return to Montego Bay (*Check for updates due to current gas price).