What to do in Runaway Bay - Monika Taylor. Date of travel: Dec 2007
Not much in the village of Runaway Bay, a few cute shops across the street from the hotel, a bar and the equivilant of our KFC. Try the local jerk chicken huts when you find them! Shop at the local grocery store for any spices, sauces you might want to bring home, it's cheaper than in the gift shops. Also..... buy your rum etc. at the airport on the way home, it's not any more expensive, and they pack it for you. Saint Anns is another small village on the way to Ocho Rios, busy town with central bank for exchanging, as is one in Ocho. Hire a taxi driver for a day, and have him take you around to where ever you want to go, he'll watch your belongings, and take you to the best local stops. We've used "Precious" (Precious Tours parked at the hotels taxi stop) a lot, he's friendly, knows the neighbourhood, and can get you some good deals too. Tip him well. Tell him Monika from Maine sent you! Ocho has a big open market, if you don't like being hounded, don't go. If you like the excitement of haggeling, go. Avoid going into town when the cruiseships dock, or go in after they leave, you can get good deals then because they've made their money on the cruise people. That's when you can strike some good bargins. Jamaica is as safe as any other city. Keep your valuables at home, don't flaunt jewellery, keep your cash in your front pockets. If someone wants to sell you pot (ganja), say no thank you I quit! It works. And most of all if you can get the chance, try the Jamaican meat patty. The best hand held food around! Look for shops that are Jamaican owned, support the locals, they appreciate it. Lots of Indians have set up shop in Jamaica so it's nice to spend your money with Jamaicans.