Cricket's Nomad Tips

Jamaica

I have been here 3 times.  Back in the mid 90s, in 2005 and with the whole Wardein clan in 2006.  There is a special laid back, rasta vibe here.  You can stay in a nice resort and still experience the culture.  I love it.

Top 5 Days

1. Beach time - totally relaxing to lay on this lovely beach.
2. Go where no locals go - My mom would get up and go into town to the early morning markets to help pick fresh fruits and seafood for dinner.
3. Snorkel and scuba - The underwater magic of the entire Caribbean is here.
4. Floyd's Pelican Bar - THE most UNIQUE bar in the world.  You have to take a boat the get here and it is made of sticks in a sandy area.  They only serve lobster and Red Stripe.  Near Jakes.
5. Go see a reggae show - The music makes this place all the cooler.

 

Top 5 High Style, Low Maintenance Hotels

1. Round Hill - Privately owned villas and homes on a hill overlooking a private beach.  I have rented a villa and a whole house with the family.  What is special here is that it is all part of resort - so you have full service, water sports, a water trampoline, a kids club, restaurants, etc... We had full service meals in the house every night - we ate on the deck by the pool overlooking the bay.  Near Montego Bay.  Ralph Lauren has a place there and the style screams high style, low maintenance.
2. Jakes - Part of the Outpost Island group, owned by Chris Blackwell, who owns Island Records. A chic, shabby group of villas on the sea.  Defintely a bit rustic - expect lots of critters around.  The beauty here is it is just locals around - not other tourist and resorts.
3. Strawberry Hill - Another Outpost Island resort up in the mountains for a totally different feel.
4. Rockhouse Hotel - On the water, but not on the beach in Negril.
5. Rent a villa - I looked at tons of places for my family and there is a ton of stuff, though we loved Round Hill.

 
Top 5 Foodie Finds

1. Lobster Everything - I order it in everything.
2. Jerk - Chickem, Steak, Pork.  I love the flavor.
3. The Caves - A really special spot in Negril right on the water.
4. Negril Beach - There are tons of special spots right on the water with reggae music and cheap eats out in the sun.
5. Red Beans and Rice - The local staple and a safe eat even from the side of the road.

Top 5 Misses

1. Big Resorts - There are so many where you would never leave and see anything.
2. Crime - You gotta watch it here.  The nice places have a guard around.
3. Airport - It is crazed with vendors and aggressive taxi drivers. 
4. Hurricanes - We followed one there with my family.  Make sure not to go during hurricane season.

Top 5 Tips

1. Great flight schedules - I think I have been 3 times because it is so much easier to get to than anywhere in the Caribbean.
2. Bring your patience - It is rasta time, so don't expect that marg you ordered to be there in 3 minutes.
3. Red Stripe - Drink the national beer.   A lot of it.
4. Build a good reggae mix for your iPod.  There will be lots of relaxing time.
5. Iriemon.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Went here for some R&R after a pretty crazy time in Dec 2008.  We rang in the new year here.  This is by far up and away my favorite place in Mexico.  And La Casa Que Canta is the most romantic hotel I have ever been.

 

Top 5 Days

1. Las Gatas Beach - We would take a water taxi over to the small beach across the bay and drink margaritas, each lobster tacos, swim and take off for scuba.
2. Scuba - Andy got certified from Carlos Scuba Shop, which is the oldest scuba shop in all of Mexico.  We saw sea turtles, sea horses and all kinds of sea critters.
3. Relax on the deck - Breakfast on the deck every morning and evening with dominoes every night.  Many guests never leave the hotels because of the great views.
4. Fishing - Well, we didn't catch anything but had a great time trolling.
5. Go into town for a couple hours- The town is filled with Mexican families on vacation.  It isn't posh but has so much character and people are so nice.

Top 5 High Style, Low Maintenance Hotels

1. La Casa Que Canta - I can't say enough about this gem.  Only 23 rooms and they are all cut into the side of a cliff. All have balconies with amazing views of the darling bay.  Spendy and romantic. 
2. The Tides - This is the other big hotel in the area.  It is on the beach and better for families, but we thought it was just a typical resort.  I would recommend other places.
3. Amuleto - Gorgeous 6 room boutique hotel with hip, high style with stunning views.  A bit further out, but only a $4 cab ride to town.
4. Rent a House - Stay in the hills.  I would recommend staying near La Ropa beach.  Don't stay in town.  If you can get your own pool, it is worth it.  You may want to be within 10 minutes walk to the beach.
5. Las Brisas - This is in Ixtapa and is big, but we heard a great place for families.  Andy went years ago with his family. We snorkeled near there and it looks like they have a nice private beach.  Not set with all the other Ixtapa high rises.

 

Top 5 Foodie Finds

1. Amuleto - Most special meal we had here. A must.
2. La Casa Que Canta - Definitely come here for a special meal.
3. Villa de la Selva - A special, happening place in Ixtapa.
4. Tentaciones - Prix Fix menu with an open-air garden view of the bay.
5. Otilia - Lobster tacos and margs at Las Gatas beach.

 

Top 5 Misses

1. Restaurants in Town - Nothing special.
2. Summer - Weather was perfect in January and we heard it is excruciating in the summer.
3. Anything but seafood - It is a fresh catch every day, why eat anything else?
4. Ixtapa - Ziha is worlds away just around the corner.
5. Beaches - This has really pretty beaches, but not the most dramatic in the world.  The charm here is the combo of beaches and mountains.

 Top 5 Tips

1. Cabs - Are safe and aobut $3 anywhere.
2. Look for direct flights - there are some direct flights from SFO on certain days on Alaska Airlines.
3. Rates are drastically different - New Years and Easter are packed cause the Mexican families have the holiday off.  Go in the spring or winter and you will have great weather and not the highest prices.  Yet, we loved New Year's fireworks on the beach.
4. Book in advance - Amuleto and Casa Que Canta book out months in advance.
5. Enjoy the locals - I loved that this was not all gringos.  You get some tourism, but you are with the locals.