Destination: Jamaica

 

Random Photo on a night after Dinner

I went to Jamaica or Jamrock, as the locals call it last month for some well needed R&R, and also because I had been feeling cooped up in Lagos. 

There are no direct flights to Jamaica – but it worked out perfectly for me because I had a month left on my US visa and I had not yet used in because covid.

 So I decided to go to Atlanta and THEN fly to Jamaica from Atlanta for a few days.

To be honest a ton of my travel choices were forced by covid, for one, I’d have preferred to fly BA to accumulate some miles and swing by London because of family and friends, but the US has banned flights that come from the EU & UK. This meant I had to fly DIRECT to the US or endure a 30/32 hour flight via Qatar. The Delta flight cost twice as much roughly $1,500 but C’est La vie.

The flight from Atlanta to Montego Bay in Jamaica cost approx. $500.

Jamaica was a dream come true. For one I did not go with my laptop which means I actually had enough time to rest and read the Alchemist which I read every time I go on vacation.

Secondly, it was so so so beautiful. 

Third and surprisingly, considering all the things I read on the internet- It was PRETTY safe for me, a female solo traveller.

Now the Visa process.

The Visa costs $20 and the embassy is located in Abuja. Because a return flight to Abuja costs roughly N55,000 and the uber to and fro both airports would come to approx N15,000- I opted to use a travel agency that charged me N60,000.

And I’m glad I did because they fucked up my application so badly and I did not get my passport till the day before I left for Atlanta. It was a very traumatic experience for me, BUT I’d still recommend them if you live in Lagos because flying to abuja for visa application is really THE GHETTO. 

But please when you go ahead to use them- STAY ON TOP OF THE APPLICATION, follow up every 2-3 days.

There was an issue with the information I provided, I apparently omitted my LOS-ATL ticket and the agent's visa officer didn’t catch that as well, since the agency provides a travel itinerary for you anyway.

This is bit was really important since there are no direct flights to Jamaica there needs to be proof to the consulate that you’d return and basically a return ticket that originates and ends in LOS.

Now the embassy had emailed me, but spelt my email address wrongly so I did not get the email- ALL this while I had been liaising with the VO who had been LYING about working on it. If he had bothered to reach out to the embassy, he’d have been informed on time. Which is what eventually happened and when the embassy sent them they screen shot of the email to me, I was like- THIS IS NOT MY EMAIL ADDRESS.

In their defence, they were super sorry, but it left a terrible taste in my mouth, however they managed to get the visa to me, which was the service I paid for. Irrespective of all this, I’ll still advice to go ahead with them because na so the thing go.

These are their details Here on their website and this is their Instagram IG

The application needed all the usual stuff:

First you need a passport. With more than 6 months validity on it.

Second you need to collate ALL the requested documentation which include:

Letter of introduction from your employer on their letter head

Bank statements ( 3 months with balance showing N1.5m)

Past payslips (3 months)

Flight bookings ( temporary, I suggest you find an agent to do it or ask someone in your office logistics team to sort it out for you)

Hotel bookings ( also temporary, I used bookings.com with the options for free cancellations AND pay at the venue)

Copies of your data page, coloured passport photographs white back ground and two copies of filled out forms

Third, you fill out two copies the visa form which can be found here: Here

And finally, your visa fee which is $20. The form also includes all the payment options.

As I earlier mentioned, It cost me N60k with the agent and I  physically hand delivered all the documents to the agency in Lagos.

Asides the very stressful visa process, Jamaica was a dream come true.

Me Rafting on Rio Grande, the largest river in Jamaica

I flew in & out of  MontegoBay- which in hindsight was a poor choice because I decided to stay at GeeJam which was in Portland and closer to Kingston, but worth every penny and the 4 hour drive from MoBay.

If anyone wants advice on building their itinerary for Jamaica, I’d say at least 7 days.

 I’d suggest you fly into Mobay on a Thursday evening or Friday morning and go straight to Negril. It has the most beautiful beaches in the world. After partying all weekend on Sunday night move to MontegoBay and spend 2 nights doing all the tourist stuff. 

Then on Wednesday go to Portland AND REST. I’d suggest GeeJam but it is not cheap, but it is very worth it. Plus you might sight a few celebrities while you are there.

After two days in Portland- go to Kingston town, and do all the Bob Marley stuff, take the tours and go to trench town. And finally fly out of Kingston town.

To get into Jamaica you need a negative Covid-19 test either a rapid antigen or the PCR, that is not older than 72 hours.

You also need to get clearance from the Jamaican Government – but its not a big deal just fill out a form here and attest that you will stay on the resilient corridor. The resilient corridor are basically resorts/hotels/accommodations that have been certified by the government with heightened covid-19 safety protocols.

ONE LAST THING, if you think Nigerian immigration is bad, Mobay Immigration process is times 1000 bad, so I suggest if you are trying to catch a bus/connecting chopper or anything like that, look into Club Mo-bay.

I did not link it because you should do your googles. LOL

Let me know if you need any more details on Jamaica travel with a Nigerian passport and I’d be happy to give you answers!

My hotel had the most beautiful cabins that were built into nature and waking up to this view was a dream come true

Ps: Jamaica has a huge tipping culture so take some $1 & $5 bills.

Pss: Jamaicans are VERY very kind. So keep an open mind when random strangers offer you things- they are not trying to Jazz you!