Falmouth, Jamaica

6 things I learned from staying with locals in Jamaica:

1. Jamaicans are really friendly, pushy, but friendly. In Falmouth, the cruise port, if you remotely resemble someone that got off the ship they will ask you a ton of questions. Including if you want weed. It is legal and the smell can sometimes be overwhelming. I found that if you tell them you are local, even if you are not, they are more likely to leave you alone. If you ask someone where something is, they will walk you there and expect a tip. They hustle for their money.

2. If you would like to smoke a joint, don't pay more than $.50 or 500 Jamaican dollars for it. The stuff grows on trees here!

3. The market is a great experience on Saturdays. Falmouth market is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the best day to go for the best prices and selection is Saturday. You can expect to find bananas, potatoes, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, eggs, eggplant, lettuce, bok choy, okra, oranges, coconut, pineapple, mangos,  and many other local goodies. Most items are 100JMB per lb. I was unable to find any meats, but locals told me that if you track down a fisherman he will bring you any local fish you want the next day.

Hole in the wall Jerk Chicken place

4. The jerk chicken and rice is very tasty. At a hole in the wall place I got 2 pieces of chicken with rice and slaw for $3. Give it a try, it's likely you'll go back for another helping. I did...

5. It's likely you may not understand the Jamaicans when they speak. In the hills they speak Potio, Jamaican broken English. Many of the workers in the tourist areas you will be able to understand. And if you speak it, you'll get the local prices at the market.

Jamaican Beach Bar

6. Red Stripe is called 'beer' here. It's one of 3 beers I found here and red stripe is obviously the beer of choice here (It's the Jamaican beer, if you didn't know). Other choices are Heineken and Guinness, but I did not find them to be served at restaurants. Don't pay more than $4 or 400 JD for a beer.

Fun at Everglades Hostel

The Everglades Hostel is a great place for a couple of days to relax and see the sites around Florida City and Everglades National Park. I have reviewed the hostel, but also wanted to include some of the things to do while you are staying in the Everglades.

The Everglades Hostel also offers Everglades day tours and night walks, $129 for guests and $150 for non guests. The full day tour you will kayak in the Everglades! It's great for those who want to see all 9 Eco-Systems of the Everglades National Park. Enjoy a relaxing pace spending 8 Hours in the Everglades. A relaxing evening is spent on the Night Walk and is easy introduction to the park. Stroll on paved trails and boardwalks under the Stars and Feel the Everglades Come Alive!

Check the Tour Board in the reception area to see the tours and sign up.

Around the corner from Everglades Hostel, about two miles down the road, is a great fruit stand called Robert Is Here. Their fruits and veggies are delicious and diverse, such as dragon fruit, apple bananas, mangos, coconuts, several different kinds of tomatoes (green and red), and all kinds of citrus, yes including the world famous key lime. And, on top of all that they make killer fruit milkshakes with several different blends of fruit. I had strawberry key lime, my mom had pineapple key lime, they were so delicious! It's a great stop any time of day to cool down and pick up road snacks.

Of course you are in the middle of The Everglades and about 20 minute drive from the National Park. Cost of entry to the park is $20 per car. Just a warning the mosquitos are the size of small birds and will still eat you even if you have bathed in deet for hours. Unless you are prepared with mosquito repellent clothing or don't mind being eaten alive, I don't suggest going to the park during mid to high mosquito season, which is disappointing because there are some really good hikes and walks around the park. Instead book an Airboat ride to see the maximum amount of gators and wildlife.

image credit: www.evergladestours.org

Other than the The Everglades Hostel, the National Park and Homestead Air Force Base there isn't much to do in Florida City. The Hostel is great and a wonderful place to meet other travelers and a perfect stop on your way to or from the Keys.

Everglades Hostel

I drove up after spending 3 days in the Keys and arrived at Everglades Hostel. It was easy to find, just of HWY 1 and around the corner from Starbucks, Walgreens and a few other shops. Upon arrival I was greeted by a very nice lady that got me checked in, took me on a tour of the grounds, explained the kayaking tours, $5 dinner, all you can eat pancakes in the mornings, wifi access, gave me sheets and showed me to my room, bathrooms and most importantly, refrigerator where I could cool my cider. Also, I did arrive earlier than traditional check in time, but was accommodated quickly. The room was spacious with 6 bunks, clean sheets, clean floor and cool AC. The guest room doors are locked with the newest swipe card key's (like the newest hotels have), making me feel safe and secure.

Garden and outdoor seating area

Each night the staff cooks a homemade meal for the guests and fellow staff members. They charge $5 for the meal. They served a salad, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, ham, veggie bake, and fruit salad the first night I was there. It was a great deal! I was at the hostel over Christmas, they charged $10 for the meal and included turkey, ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and fruit salad. You must sign up for dinner at the front desk, so they know how much to make, then pay at the kitchen door at dinner time. If you are into it, you can assist with cooking dinner or cleaning up if you'd like.

Big kitchen with all of the gadgets.

Communal dinner in the garden. 

In the mornings for breakfast they offer coffee and all you can make and eat pancakes for FREE! Many people come out to the communal garden area to talk story and enjoy their morning coffee together, or grab the a hammock and get a few more zzz's in.

Pancake Breakfast

The beds aren't the most comfortable and I recommend, as usual, to bring an eye mask and ear plugs because you never know if you're bunked with a snorer. Also the doors are loud when they open and shut and the adjacent bathroom door sticks and woke me up a couple of times throughout the night. There was a late night gathering in the garden the first evening, but couldn't hear any noise from my room.

The hostel has such a fun vibe with a good sense of backpacker community. When I visited the other visitors were so open to conversation and exchange of ideas about what to do in the area and where to visit where they are from. I really enjoyed the garden, fire pit and the nightly dinners.

Reception Area

Outdoor Shower

Click here to visit their website and book at the Everglades Hostel Urban Oasis.

Key West, Florida

There are two most convenient ways to reach Key West, Florida. To fly or to drive. I drove from Fort Lauderdale, Florida passing through Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Largo, Mid Keys and then to Key West. The more convenient way to get there is to Fly into EYW, however due to the short runway, only small airplanes with light loads may come in. So, some airlines (Delta) will only allow 1 checked bag plus your cary on luggage.

Getting from the airport EYW to your hotel/AirBnB/hostel
Most major hotels have a shuttle that will pick you up at the airport and drop you off right at the front door. You will also be paying the big bucks to stay at these places, rooms start around $300 per night. If you are staying at a hotel without a shuttle, an AirBnB or the only hostel on the island, you will be taking a cab. No Uber here! A taxi will run you max $15 for a ride to your place.

There are so many boats! And all types of them from a weedwacker powered dingy to four story yachts, to the big cruise liners. I opted for an arm powered boat, a kayak. I took an amazing sunset and Starlight tour with Blue Planet that I highly recommend. It set me back $50 for 3 hours with a beautiful sunset and some night time paddling through mangrove trees in search of nocturnal under water creatures.

Key West is a hospitality hub and can be a tourist trap, especially Duval St. There is so much to see and do and eat here, you couldn't possibly be bored. Most activities are revolved around the water, because... well... you're on an island, and so does the eating. Key West's speciality is their Conch (pronounced konk, like honk, but with a k) Fritters, they are very similar to hush puppies with the conch meat. Not my favorite. If you want to drop the big bucks, go for some lobster or crab catch of the day, your stomach wont regret it, but your wallet may.

Good Eats & Drinks!
The cheapest way to eat in Key West is to hit up happy hours. From around 4-6/7 restaurants around town serve their appetizers and cold beverages for a discounted price. I asked around for a late night happy hour (10-12/1), these don't exist.

Turtle Kraals has a great happy hour from 4:30-6:30 with half price appetizers, beer, wine and well drinks. I highly recommend the Bucket of Bones (ribs in a bucket) then stick around on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays for turtle races at 7pm. I tried the Conch Fritters, not my thing.

The Waterfront Brewery also has a good happy hour from 4-6:30. An open area with foosball, ski-ball, shuffleboard, pool, and a few video games will keep you entertained while sipping on their yummy craft brews. The brewery also has a wonderful view of the many, many boats in the harbor.

I stopped in a Schooner Wharf Bar, after happy hour, and it was fun and young atmosphere with live music every night. Beers were $3.75, mixed drinks around $8. A great place to go out with a group of friends.

Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill, and Brewery was also a stop on the self made pub crawl. If you stop in here make sure you get the key lime margaritas. At happy hour they are $4. It was the most delicious margarita I have ever had!

I also visited Greene Street Cigar Company, their motto is "Your wife is not here. Come in!", but its anything from a mans cigar lounge. I was welcomed by CJ, told him what I liked and he pulled out exactly what I was looking for. They also have wine, beer on tap, in bottles and a very delicious cider for me! It was a great way to relax, watch the game on TV and enjoy a cigar.

Off Duval St. the streets roll up (restaurants and bars close) around 10pm, pushing everyone to continue drinking on Duval St. It's not a bad area, just reminded me of a clean Bourbon St. in New Orleans. Not my cup of tea, but there are some really good restaurants and bars to keep you entertained if you like that kind of thing.