What is open/closed on Christmas & Boxing Day?

[nutz4travel]

We'll be arriving on Christmas Day this year, just wondering what we can expect to find open that day (or the next)? I have read that ATM's can be empty around that time, but I have some cash left over from our last trip, so we should be okay for a few days. Will we be able to make our usual stop at the Mega Mart in MoBay? Are they open?

At home here, everything is pretty much shut down on Christmas Day. I would imagine that being a tourist area, that wouldn't be the case in Jamaica and that most bars/restaurants will be open for business as usual?

Last question - has anyone arrived at MBJ on Christmas Day? Not sure what to expect there, we left Christmas Eve last year and the departures area was a ghost town...

Thanks in advance for the input!

[nutz4travel]

Anyone??

[yetta]

I'll jump in..but never arrived on Christmas Day. I have spent many Christmas's in Negril however. Most places to eat are open. Some really small places may be closed but you won't have any problems finding food and drink. Many stores may be closed but there always seems to be a few open..at least pon da cliffs.

ATM's may be low on cash or cash "finish", but if you have some J leftover...you should be fine. The day after Christmas is Boxing Day...banks closed etc. The holidays are truly magical to me. I adore being in Negril for Christmas, Boxing Day and NYE. It is like one party after another. Good luck...hopefully someone else will chime in to help advise you. Hope this helped a little. Hope to see you in Negril.

[Irie John]

I have been there a few times at Christmas. Most places to eat are open and the bars are open! I do not use the ATMs - bring some small US $$ and you will be good for a couple of days. It is pretty much "business as usual" on the beach.

[nutz4travel]

Thanks guys! We're really looking forward to it.

I'm hoping the fact that no one has arrived Christmas Day is a good sign and the airport will be quiet (quiet for MBJ that is )

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

Morning 2nutz4travel

I have arrived Xmas Day before and the airport was quiet, but who knows that could have changed in the last 5 years For sure the grocery stores are closed and banks... but there are some little shops open. ATM machine.... every time I've went Dec. 24, 25 or 26, there was no cash left! I'd be sure to bring down what u need and don't go to an ATM until after Dec. 26th.

Blessings!
St. Anthony's Kitchen

[Islander]

Me and my fella will be flying in with Santa Claus as well, we will be arriving a wee bit late, not until mid afternoon. Looking forward to celebrating the holidays with our friends in Jamaica.

See you all there 44 more sleeps

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

We reached on Christmas Day 2 years ago. Most grocers were closed around us (Rondel Village) and, of course, the banks and cambios were closed. Even Shamrock was closed on Christmas. On Boxing Day, same thing for the most part. Beach bars, resorts and restaurants were mostly open both days.

To compound the closings, Christmas was on a Sunday (2011). So both holidays were celebrated a day late. So, banks and money exchange were closed for 3 days. I thought about that dilemma and asked our taxi driver to buy us $ 200 US worth of Jamaican dollars that we bought from him pon our arrival. That was enough to last until everything opened back up on Wednesday.

[Nancy Marie]

We stay at the Shamrock Hotel (Classique Cottage) every Christmas for years. I'm sure they are open at least part of the day on Christmas. I think they may close early or for a few hours Christmas afternoon possibly for the family dinner. We arrived around 6:00 pm last Christmas and the store was open.
The airport on Christmas day last year was the worst I have seen in over 50 trips. The line for immigration was so long you couldn't even see into the room. We have arrived many times on Christmas and don't remember it ever being that bad. I didn't bother having our driver stop for supplies just assuming everything would be closed. We arrived on Christmas Eve a few years ago and the HiLo in MoBay was closing at 3:00 and wouldn't reopen until after Boxing Day. I believe all the grocery stores are closed in downtown Negril but the Chinaman (can't remember the real name) Store near the Burger King should be open. All the bars and restaurants that we frequent are open during the Christmas holidays.