JamaicaLove,

Having gone to Jamaica and Negril on a very tight budget I can offer you a few tips that worked very well for me. First let me say that traveling alone may be the best thing you could have done. Too many times on a vacation with a friend or lover it can turn into more problems than fun. Having said that I have no idea about the youth hostel where you are staying so I can not comment on that other than saying if you have not committed to staying there your whole trip you can always find another place to stay if you so choose. First tip. When I travel to JA as a budget traveler I buy a Coleman Cooler as one of my baggage pieces. The reason is that it solid, protective, and you can pack many items. Furthermore once you arrive in JA you have your own refrigerator to keep OJ cold, beer, wine, food, etc..... Before you fly home you can sell the cooler or give it away to a deserving friend. Food that easily packs in the cooler, cans of tuna, sardines, other canned fish. Soups canned or in pouches, condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc... All of which are available for sale in supermarkets but if your budget is tight you can buy what you think you will need before you leave to fly down. Second tip, buy yourself an inexpensive plastic juicer to make OJ, Grapefruit juice, etc.. By buying a bag of oranges, Grapefruit in a supermarket or town market you can always have fresh juice in the cooler. Pack a sharp Buck knife type knife in your checked luggage to cut all your fruit and vegetables. You can carry the buck knife on your side if you want some additional security. Third tip, bring an inexpensive electric blender with you for rum drinks, daiquiri's, health drinks, and save a ton on your bar bill not to mention having what you want when you want it and not needing to go out if you don't want to. The nice thing about a cooler is after you fill it with your food stock you can place clothing in to pack it completely and provide some packing material to your goods. Obviously you have to keep track of the weight and make sure it falls in the accepted range of the carrier you are flying. Although Rubbermaid makes a travel box that you can lock with a padlock when I fly with a cooler I secure it with duct tape in all directions to make sure it stays closed. I bring extra duct tape in my carry on in case security of customs wants to open the cooler to check the contents. This idea has worked for me many times so I suggest you give it consideration.

As far as 420 friendly goes do not assume anything. Always remember that Ganja is illegal in JA and getting caught smoking or possessing it will most likely get you in jail and ruin not only your vacation but quite possibly your life. Again common sense prevails so what you decide to do is up to you.

In closing I just would like to add that a vacation in Negril can be the perfect time and place for a really healthy diet and lifestyle. With the abundance of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables combined with extensive walks, runs you can easily lose 10 pounds of body fat in a week without even trying even while drinking some Red Stripes and Rum drinks!!! Enjoy!!!!!