Hello All! Thank you for all of the helpful information I have gleaned from the site. We leave the 30's in Colorado in 3 days for some beach gravity! Can anyone please give an idea what to expect to pay the beach vendors for fruit, patties, etc.? Anything we should not miss? first time & can't wait! Thanks in advance!
Pay in JMD. Most vendors will quote you in USD, but you can pay in JMD for a discount. For example, if you are quoted $5 for an item, offer to pay 500 JMD (which is about 4.15 USD). I've never been turned down.
Prices vary by vendor and are somewhat negotiable. If you are planning to stay a while, you may be able to negotiate a lower price if you promise to buy from the same vendor daily. For example, buying juices from the same vendor for 7 days may get you a better pricer.
A lot of vacationers just agree (or decline) whatever price is offered. For this reason, some vendors will try to rip you off. For example, I was on the beach and a vendor offered me a tiny baggie of pineapple slices for $3 or $4. I declined. A nice lady came shortly afterwards and offered an entire pineapple for a slightly higher price. If you feel like you are getting ripped off (i.e., paying more than you would in the states for exotic fruits or juices), then you probably are.
Patties are around 150 to 200 JMD (it depends if you are getting a veggie or meat pattie and the time of day) and fresh juice is $5 (for 750 mL), if I recall. It's been 9 months since I've been, so I may be off there.
Keep in mind that these vendors make a living off of their services. Paying for a hand delivered item is a luxury, and the vendors are working hard to earn their living (i.e., walking along the beach for hours in the heat ain't easy). Saving a dollar or two a day makes you feel better, but it impacts to the vendor more than you realize.
Have an amazing vacation!
Last edited by BrianJM; 01-05-2016 at 01:14 AM.
Good info. Thank you Brian.
needsomebeach,
Are you staying at SATP on Bloody Bay?
This Past June I was at Coco La Palm on Long Bay and our morning routine with several beach vendors evolved over the week. I was there with my GF and her two adult children (19 & 20).
We ended up buying the majority of our fruit from one lady. She would arrive by 9:30am and we would order two large bags each of FRESH CUT Coconut and pineapple. We rented two rooms right off the beach, so we would walk the bags of fruit back to the rooms and put two bags in each fridge for snacking through the day. We usually bought a bunch of Honey Bananas every other day or so. Sometimes we bought oranges.
We all enjoyed the show as she set down her bags and extracted the various coconuts and Pineapples and her machete. She proceed to dice them up and bag them. I'm guessing we paid less than US$10 per day for everything, but the show was entertaining.
Even though we were tourists on a short stay, we felt that we had gained a friend. When she realized we would try just about anything, everyday she showed up with something new. I wish I could remember all the interesting things she offered us to try, but can't recall.
I understand you need to know the cost, but don't forget the adventure!
Enjoy,
VVHT
Juice: $500 - 750ml bottle of juice- soursop, pineapple w/ginger, orange juice
Pork: small $500; large $1000
Anthony the pastry man has added patties to his selections and I purchased just about everyday and now can't remember the prices for Coco Bread with Cheese, Gizzada (coconut cookie) and his patties (chicken, beef and veggie).
Thanks everyone! What is soursop? On another note, where is the best place to buy some coffee to take home?
Re: Beach vendor prices
Originally Posted by needsomebeach
mi #1 choice would be Thunder
mi #2 is Big Roy or Helen at Blue Mtn. coffee shop
Soursop is a really prehistoric looking fruit with spiky looking skin and pulpy white flesh, it tastes fantastic, very tropical.
You don't really eat the fruit, I think most people blend the pulp and juice it.
soursop juice if my favorite juice in jamaica, soon comeSoursop is a really prehistoric looking fruit with spiky looking skin and pulpy white flesh, it tastes fantastic, very tropical.
You don't really eat the fruit, I think most people blend the pulp and juice it.
Posting Permissions
