FAQ

The closest airport is Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (20 minutes).

A valid passport is required for all passengers including infants. If you have questions about this requirement or are a citizen of another country, call 1-800-233-4582 (Jamaica Tourist Board).

A private air-conditioned vehicle with a personal driver will be waiting for you on arrival (note: for week-long and 5-day stays). The drive to Coconut Cottage Villa is about 20 minutes and is a wonderful first introduction to the island. We recommend you travel with some small change if you require a porter as Airport Carts are not allowed outside the Terminal Building. The cost is about US$2 per bag.

Jamaica enjoys typical Caribbean weather: 80’s by day and 70’s at night. Winter to summer variance is only 10 degrees. You can sometimes get afternoon showers and rain in May or June and September or October, more so than in other months.

US dollars are accepted (and preferred) island-wide. Exchange rates vary if you choose to purchase Jamaican dollars (JAD). You can do a google search or use this currency calculator to see the latest Jamaican-USD conversion rate for reference. Credit cards are accepted at the Tryall Club & Resort, grocery stores, and most restaurants. Local street and market vendors typically accept US dollars or JAD. There are several ATMs in Montego Bay and one in the nearby town of Hopewell.

Very safe, if you are sensible. Use the same caution in Montego Bay that you would use in any large city. Coconut Cottage is away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is very secure and has a full staff on the property during the day as well as night security for your peace of mind. If you choose to bring jewelry, cash, etc., the villa has lockable in-room safes for your valuables.

Take your cell phone. It will most likely work perfectly fine and without any issues. To be sure, call your cell phone provider to ask whether your cell plan will work in Jamaica and if you have an international calling and data plan. You might consider going into the settings of your smartphone and turning off “cellular data” and only using Wifi to make Facetime and other internet-based calls. There is great Wifi at Coconut Cottage.

Jamaica is truly a world away. Its natural beauty is breathtaking and its people charming and laid back. Time slows down. To enjoy your time on the island, you must come prepared for this. With its laid-back island pace, you’ll fall in love with Montego Bay and the people who live there.

A full-time driver and 12-passenger van are included in the cost of your stay, including:

• dedicated licensed driver/tour guide
• airport transfers both ways
• anywhere/anytime service*
• 1 tank of gas (additional gas paid by guests)

*Long-distance trips require an additional fee, such as to Kingston, a 2 ½ hour drive from Montego Bay

A typical grocery budget at Coconut Cottage is approximately $50 USD per day per adult and $40 USD per day per child, which includes full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wine and liquor are additional and can be pre-stocked upon request.

Most guests like to stop at one of the major grocery stores on the way from the airport to personally select items for their stay. However, if you’d prefer to skip the stop, our team is happy to stock the villa with lunch, dinner, and breakfast for your first day—based on preferences shared in your Guest Arrival Information Form.

Our staff can also shop for you throughout your stay, every few days as needed. Once you’re settled in, you may choose to visit a grocery store yourself, or even accompany our chef or cook to the market—you’re welcome to do so. Grocery stores in Jamaica accept major credit cards, though they may ask for identification such as a passport.

At the start of your stay, your Chef and House Manager will help you determine your preferred method of payment for groceries. Cash is preferred unless otherwise arranged, and both US and Jamaican dollars are accepted.

Our team is happy to assist you in sourcing any reasonable food or beverage item, though please keep in mind that some ingredients common in the U.S., Canada, or Europe may be harder to find in Jamaica.

Learn more about dining at Coconut Cottage

Included with your complimentary Tryall Club membership is access to exclusive dining options offering panoramic seaside views, the intimate Afternoon Tea at Tryall with menus updated daily, cocktail bars, dinners, and more. Ask about Jamaica Nights at our the Tryall Beach Club, featuring reggae music and authentic Jamaican cuisine. On Wednesdays at the Tryall Club you can indulge in the elegant ambiance of our Great House Piano Dinner, accompanied by live piano music and exquisite dining. Thursdays come alive with our electrifying Beach Reggae Party, where you can groove to Jamaican beats and enjoy a sumptuous buffet.

If you feel the need to venture beyond Coconut Cottage, there are some wonderful dining options across Montego Bay and the surrounding area. Here are a few of our favorites:

• The Houseboat Grill
  A floating waterfront restaurant in Freeport offering a truly unique setting. Enjoy dinner downstairs in the cozy dining room—or better yet, dine on the upper deck beneath the stars. The Houseboat features a constantly evolving fusion menu from internationally trained Chef Rich Nurse. Casually elegant. The bar opens daily at 4 PM and stays open late. The kitchen closes around 10 PM.
  Visit The Houseboat Grill

• Montego Bay Yacht Club
  A casual, kid-friendly spot with waterside dining open for both lunch and dinner. Enjoy a mix of Jamaican and international dishes in a relaxed setting, complete with a children’s play area and small pool. Closes at 10 PM.
  Visit Montego Bay Yacht Club

• The Sugar Mill
  One of Jamaica’s most elegant dining experiences, located about 45 minutes from Coconut Cottage. Dine beneath the stars or beside the 300-year-old stone walls of the historic Sugar Mill and its restored waterwheel. The menu blends local and Caribbean flavors with international flair—think snapper poached in coconut and saffron or pork tenderloin with a spice rub of coffee, cocoa, and pimento in piña colada sauce.
  Reservations are required. Dress code is casual elegant (no jeans, shorts, sneakers, or flip-flops).
  Visit The Sugar Mill Restaurant

As a guest of Coconut Cottage, you enjoy complimentary membership to the Tryall Club & Resort, which offers a rotating calendar of nightly entertainment—from torch-lit beach barbecues with live Calypso music to romantic jazz and dancing beneath the stars.

For the active traveler, Tryall also provides a wide range of water sports and outdoor activities, including:

• Snorkeling

• Kayaking

• Windsurfing

• Water skiing

• Sailing

On land, enjoy access to multiple tennis and pickleball courts and the renowned Tryall Golf Club—an 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed to challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels. **

Looking to venture out and soak in more of Jamaica’s culture and charm? Here are a few local favorites:

• Rose Hall Great House
  Step inside this legendary 18th-century estate, perched on 6,600 acres of hillside. Said to be haunted by its infamous mistress Annie Palmer—known as the White Witch—Rose Hall’s candlelit tours share chilling tales of mystery, voodoo, and betrayal. According to legend, Annie murdered all three of her husbands and several lovers.
  Learn more about Rose Hall Great House

• Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club
  With a day membership, you can experience the turquoise, crystal-clear waters of this iconic beach club. The sea here stays between 78°F and 84°F year-round, and locals have long claimed its mineral-rich waters have natural healing powers.
  Visit Doctor’s Cave Beac

Learn more about exploring Montego Bay, Jamaica.

**Golf course fees not included.