When you love to travel, a pandemic can really put a damper on things! After multiple canceled trips and months of wanderlust we finally took a trip to Jamaica in February. Don’t get me wrong, it was by far the most stressful trip I’ve ever planned. Multiple date, flight and hotel changes; covid tests; documents that never existed before and knowing the trip could be canceled at any time was definitely a challenge. When the day finally came, hours of mask wearing wasn’t fun and walking onto a packed plane after months of social distancing made us all feel a little uneasy. However, it was all worth it in the end! Stepping into the warm Jamaica sunshine and pulling off those masks was just what we all needed. Months of navigating quarantines, modified activities and constantly changing school schedules had left us all more stressed than we even realized.
We stayed at Beaches, Negril which was only about 40% full. We immediately felt totally safe from covid. All guests had to pass covid and temperature checks to even be allowed on the property. Plus being outdoors most of the time made it truly feel safe and normal to be out, socializing with other visitors. As Bob Marley would say we finally got to “get together and feel alright”! Our children made friends and finally got to hang out and act like children should. Seeing our teens relaxed and being silly with other teens and our youngest giggling with kids as they navigated the water slides was so great. No lines at the bars and unlimited tropical drinks was also pretty amazing!
I did my research before we left home and planned a great day away from the resort. Spending the day with our own personal driver gave us the opportunity to connect with a local, see the island outside the resort and hear first hand about its culture as well as how the island was struggling as a result of covid.
First stop was Benta Falls, located in the heart of Westmoreland just 9 miles from Negril on Jamaica’s west coast. It’s a bit off the beaten track but well worth the effort it takes to get there. Our guides led us through the seven natural waterfalls. Stopping along the way to cliff jump, rope swing, slide down rocks and hide in a hidden cave. We also got to bathe in a natural jacuzzi and get a rejuvenating therapeutic mud scrub before enjoying a delicious homemade lunch. My husband even took some time to play a game of dominoes with some of the locals.
Next stop was the famous Rick’s CafĂ©. There was no way we could visit Negril and not bring our thrill seeking sixteen year old here! Even though Rick’s is technically a bar, the main attraction is definitely cliff jumping. Rick’s sits atop rigged cliffs and overlooks the beautiful Caribbean Sea. There are three heights to jump from: 10, 25 and 35 feet. While my daughters and I stuck to the low jumps the boys in the family did brave the 35ft! It definitely took some courage but I’m so happy I took the plunge!
Our remaining days were spent at the resort. Relaxing, enjoying all the Beaches amenities like the glass bottom boat, water skiing and banana boat ride (that are all included) and eating way too much at the ten restaurants! After a final breakfast with our toes in the sand it was time to put the masks back on and return to reality. Our eight days in paradise was a well deserved and needed break from covid and technology and gave us all a chance to reconnect as a family and make more memories.
Travel during covid was definitely a bit stressful and challenging but the hotels are doing what they can to help. Beaches included free trip insurance and free return covid tests – a huge convenience and savings when you’re a family of five. As nice as it was to stay at an almost empty resort it was also somewhat sad. Hotels are definitely struggling and tourism is all a lot of these smaller islands have. If you’re thinking of traveling, do it! Just do your homework and protect yourself with trip insurance. Take vacations, go as many places as you can! You can always make money, you can’t always make memories!
Great trip, the family reconnect is my highlight. Love them/us making memories together.
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