Restaurant Reviews only my opinion

[Manda81]

Thanks Ohio!

I was wondering in every country tipping is different.. what is acceptable in JA? I know in Canada it's average 15% tip of the bill.. but if we've had good service good food it's anywhere from 17 to 20% tip. Tipping the bartender ? Tipping the driver? tipping the waiter? What is a good rule of thumb here ?

I have made a reservation for Ivan's for my arrival day (I'm starting to think it's going to be one hectic day) I land at 1:15pm, I will be picked up at my hotel at 5:50 and dinner reservations at 6:30pm I'm hoping this allows for sunset viewing. Thanks again !!

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

I was wondering in every country tipping is different.. what is acceptable in JA? I know in Canada it's average 15% tip of the bill.. but if we've had good service good food it's anywhere from 17 to 20% tip. Tipping the bartender ? Tipping the driver? tipping the waiter? What is a good rule of thumb here ?

All service workers in Jamaica make so little, they really do depend on our tips. And I prefer to give it to the person actually doing the work, rather than the corporation. So, for instance, I typically haggle for as low a price as I can get on a hotel room, but then tip the maid $5 daily. As part of my trip prep, when I get my Travelers Checks at the bank, I also get a couple envelopes full of $1's and $5's so I don't run out. But I talk to the maid, also, explaining I know I am a little demanding (like expecting an extra towel every day) which is why I am tipping them.

For waiters/bartenders - they are used to tourists from USA/Canada who tip like at home. For my taxi ride from the airport to Negril - usually $5 to the driver on top of the $20 fare. Route taxis it is not expected, but is appreciated. Regular taxis around town, the price you are haggling for before you get in the taxi is total price including tip. If you do a day-trip from a tour operator - I usually buy the driver's lunch and a drink whenever we have some - then tip $10-$20 at the end depending on service.

For others, like the guides at Mayfield Falls - I tipped $1000JA at the end to cover our group of 4 - and they were happy. Since you'll be with a Jamaican, he'll let you know what is fair for those odd situations.

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

I will be picked up at my hotel at 5:50 and dinner reservations at 6:30pm I'm hoping this allows for sunset viewing.

That will be cutting it awfully close - according to this website, sunset on the 24th is at 6:08PM, and you'll want to be there at least 15min before that. http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRis...egril-JMXX0009
If you could move up your pickup time by 1/2-hour you'd be better. Remember, if it's taxi from Ivan's, they might have a few other dinner guests to pickup after they pick you up. You don't have to change the reservation time - you'll just be at the bar taking sunset pics and having a drink until then.

The worst thing would be to be stuck in the taxi as the sun goes down, and you miss your first sunset in Negril completely. Once you get to your hotel, you'll know better if you have the time to get to Ivan's in time. If it looks like you can't be early enough, call Ivan's and delay it a little - watch the sunset from your hotel beach - then go to dinner afterward. Sunset from the beach is a spectacular show, too!