Come indulge in a
luxury Jamaica
vacation or romantic
tropical getaway at
THE
BLUE HOUSE
Boutique
Bed & Breakfast Villa
Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Our award winning B&B
is a great choice if you
prefer small Caribbean
Boutique Hotels over
impersonal all-inclusives.
Telephone: (876) 994-1367
PO Box 6189, Ocho Rios P.O., Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica WI
THE BLUE HOUSE
Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Ocho Rios, Jamaica


Jamaica Vacation Info
Ocho Rios Jamaica Luxury Caribbean Guest/Holiday Lodging & Vacation Travel Guide

    LANGUAGE
    The official language of Jamaica is English but our Jamaican Patois is widely spoken. If you loose track of the conversation,
    remember, a smile is the same in any language. :-)

    CLIMATE
    Sea breezes in the day and mountain breezes in the night help moderate the temperature year round. Daytime
    temperatures average 80's in the winter and 90's in the summer; Nighttime, 70's. Traditionally our rainy season is
    May/June and September/October.   

    CLOTHING
    Tropical wear is highly recommended. Casual and comfortable is always appropriate. During a cool summer evening,
    gentlemen will be very comfortable in light weight cotton pants or shorts and a long sleeve shirt during a cool winter
    evening. Summer dresses are great for the ladies year round. Add a cotton sweater or wrap after sunset in winter months.

    Footwear should include sandals, as well as, comfortable walking shoes or tennis shoes. Dunn's River is Ocho Rios' major
    attraction, bring water shoes for climbing the falls if you have them, if not we offer them for sale. Also good for going to the
    beach. Straw hats, baseball caps, sunglasses and sarongs are readily available in the craft markets and stores.

    Depending on the length of stay, you may want to have shorts and t-shirts laundered for re-use. Wash, dry, and fold is
    available at $10.00 per load. Ironing is also available at an additional cost. N.B. Irons and ironing boards are provided in
    your room.

    ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO PACK
    Medication, pain killers, sun block, burn cream, mosquito repellent, anti-itch cream, adult and/or children pool floats,  
    favorite hard to find foods/snacks, additional cards or batteries for cameras, baby food, favourite DVD's and toys to soothe
    tired children, arm bands, beach toys,.

    CURRENCY
    US dollars are accepted island wide. Exchange rates vary if you choose to purchase Jamaican dollars. Most commercial
    establishments, including grocery and liquor stores, accept major credit cards. A major credit card is always advisable for
    unexpected emergencies. Taxis, staff and driver gratuities, however, must be paid in cash.

    MONEY EXCHANGE
    It is very easy to exchange US and Canadian dollars at local Cambios. It is much less hassle than going into a bank and
    their exchange rate is usually better than at the banks. If you must go to the bank, hours are 9am - 2pm Mondays thru
    Thursdays, 9am - 12 noon and 2:30 - 4 pm on Fridays. ATM Machines are easily accessible.

    FLIGHTS
    Tourism is Jamaica's leading industry, so reserve flights early. Book to arrive at Montego Bay airport. Air Jamaica, Air
    Canada, American, Continental, Delta, British Airways, Northwest, Spirit, United, US Air and Virgin Atlantic fly into
    Mobay. Several charters operate from the East Coast, the Midwest and Europe.

    ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
    US and Canadian Citizens do not require a visa to come to Jamaica as tourists, and are permitted to visit the island for a
    period not exceeding six months. Citizens, sixteen years and older of these countries may use the following documents for
    entry: valid passport (or passport which has expired for a period not exceeding one year), or an original birth certificate
    with raised seal plus a photo l.D. (N.B. both documents MUST bear the same name). On Jan. 1st, 2007 U.S. residents will
    need a passport to leave and re-enter the United States due to changes in U.S. entry requirements. A raised seal birth
    certificate will no longer be valid for entry or departure from the U.S.
    U.K. Commonwealth Citizens need a passport, no visa required.
    Japan Passport required. Visa required for stay of over 30 days.
    All other countries, please contact the Jamaica Tourist Board office near you for requirements.
    Press personnel on assignment will require a work permit, contact a Jamaica Tourist Board office near you.
    All visitors are required to travel with a round trip or onward airline ticket for entry into Jamaica.
    No Vaccinations required unless you have visited the following countries within the past six weeks: Gambia, Ghana,
    Sudan, Nigeria, Zaire, Burkina Faso, Trinidad & Tobago, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico,
    Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, South America. Please check with the Jamaican Consulate closest you.

    DEPARTURE TAX
    Jamaica has a departure tax that is payable in cash or major credit card at the airport upon your departure. Currently,
    the tax is JA$1000 or US$15.

    TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
    The easiest, most economical mode for airport transfers is to let us arrange transfers for you with Tourwise from the
    Montego Bay airport. The rate is US$30.00 per person each way for the shuttle service or US$120 for private service for 1-
    4 persons. Unfortunately there is no shuttle bus service available from Kingston airport. Private transfer for 1-4 persons
    from Kingston costs US$150.

    Local taxis in Ocho Rios are readily available.

    Unless you are a frequent traveler to Jamaica it is generally best to leave the driving to a Jamaican. We usually advise
    our guests NOT to rent a car as driving in Jamaica can be quite a hassle due to our uneven roads, driving on the left, lack
    of road signs etc.

    We suggest you consider a hiring driver with a van/car either as you require or on a full time basis if you prefer. We have
    excellent drivers who will also act as your tour guide, run errands like popping to the market etc and ensure that you
    focus simply on enjoying your vacation.

    TIME ZONE Eastern Standard Time, Jamaica does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

    TELEPHONE CALLS
    The Jamaican wireless system operates on a TDMA network, so it is not compatible with CDMA, GSM or 3G networks.
    Cable & Wireless and Digicel, the major Jamaican providers, have roaming agreements with: AT&T Wireless, Cingular
    Wireless and Rogers Wireless. If you have roaming service with these providers, you may be able to "roam" while in
    Jamaica. Check with your wireless service provider.

    We recommend Digicel or C&W cellular phones which are available at local outlets in Jamaica. Expect to pay about US$5
    per day for rental and access charges. A deposit is required for International calls: this should be applied to your credit
    card, not paid in cash. Any unused amount of your deposit will be refunded. All charges are computed in Jamaican
    dollars, so the exchange rate at the time charges are incurred will affect the exact US dollar amount.
    DigiCel Jamaica: http://www.digiceljamaica.com/home/
    C&W Jamaica: http://home.cwjamaica.com/index.asp?p=1

    INTERNET ACCESS
    OK to bring your laptop. We offer complimentary Wifi Internet access. Please be aware that Jamaica experiences
    occasional power surges, brownouts, blackouts and phone spikes.

    There is also a computer with high speed internet access  in the games room available for registered guests.

    ELECTRICITY
    Electric current is: 110 volts, 50 cycles (US is 60 cycles). Converters are not necessary for US-made appliances.

    CHILDCARE
    Childcare can be arranged hourly or daily at a reasonable rate, depending upon the age and number of children involved.
    Night time rates are higher as you may have to pay for the entire night or pay the cost for a taxi for the nanny to go home.

    MEDICAL FACILITIES
    St Ann's Bay Hospital is closest to The Blue House. Mo Bay Hope is recommended for major emergencies as it is a relatively
    new state-of-the-art medical diagnostic and treatment center with a link to a hospital in South Florida should you need to
    be transported off the island.
    The Blue House has a doctor on 24 hour call. A US$200 charge applies for a house call including medication and follow up
    visit if necessary.
    Before your visit, please check with your insurance company so you know what procedure to follow just in case you do
    develop a medical emergency.

    MEALS TIMES
    We usually serve meals during the following times: Breakfast 9:00 - 9:30, Dinner 6:30-7pm.

    WATER
    Tap water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by the most modern methods so is safe to drink.

    TAX-FREE STATUS Due to a tax treaty between the United States and the Jamaican Government made in December,
    1981, all expenses incurred for holding a meeting or convention in Jamaica are tax deductible.
Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Ocho Rios, Jamaica



Affordable luxury boutique hotel type accommodations, for the discerning traveller.

Christian vacation accommodations in White River Estates, St Mary, on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica,
two miles east of Ocho Rios.
The Rough Guide
had this to say about
The Blue House,

‎"SUPERB deluxe B&B with
immaculate, tasteful
rooms.

The highlight is
possibly the best
Jamaican-fusion
cooking on the island
encompassing traditional
Chinese and Indian styles.

Breakfast and dinner are
served family-style, while
the genial hosts are a
mine of information and
offer
islandwide tours.

A pool and nearby river
bathing are great for
relaxation."
"Come to Me, all who are
weary and heavy laden,
and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28-30