Hello,
Has anyone travelled around Jamaica as a backpacker? I´m going there with 2 friends (we are 3 young ladies) next week, and we´ll be there for 15 days.
I have heard that Kingston is a 3rd world city and dangerous for the tourists, but I would like to visit the Bob Marley Museum at least. What do you think?
Oh, and a last question, is it unsafe to buy ganja in the street?
Regards,
Susana

Hi Susana

Lucky you! Wish I was headed off to Jamaica next week.

OK to try and answer your queries: Kingston does have its rough spots, but you're unlikely to get caught up with any trouble. The Marley Museum (don't get your hopes up too high, as tour guides sometimes aren't that good) is uptown, on Hope Road in a safe area that's fine to walk around. However if you're flying into Kingston I'd recommend getting a taxi from the airport into town rather than an airport bus, as buses drop you downtown.

I would get in touch with a company called Nutourious Adventures (927 7619); a very small-scale operation based in Kingston and run by a lovely Jamaican woman, Marjorie Morris, who can help you find your feet for the first couple of days and take you on some low-key tours. She will also do airport pickups I think for same price as the cabs.

In terms of safety elsewhere, men will probably give you a lot of chat (lots of women go specifically to Jamaica for "romance") but in nearly fifteen years of travelling around the island, often alone, I've never felt threatened and have been through no major incidents. Head for a nice area such as Treasure Beach, Portland (especially Long Bay), and you'll be fine.

Have a lovely trip; any more queries post back.

Best, Polly

I'd buy a copy of the Rough Guide to Jamaica (of which I'm author), there's lots of background stuff in there

I forgot to say; no, it's not really "safe" to buy ganja in the street. It's illegal in JA, and though a lot of Jamaicans smoke fairly freely, you'll still need to be careful as a tourist. If you want to buy it, try and do so from someone you've met more than once rather than a street hustler who comes up and offers it to you. Also if you do buy, don't travel with it as the police set up roadblocks fairly frequently and search motorists/bus passengers.

Check out "The Riverwalk at Mayfield Falls"(www.theriverwalk.netfirms.com). Great place to stay in a natural area.
In Portland ckeck out Moon San Villa at the Blue Lagoon(moonsanvilla.com). They will send you to the best beaches & waterfalls in the Port Antonio area.
If you can, see Bob Marley Museum the day you leave in Kingston.
Everbody smokes. Just be careful!
Greg