There are few places as sunny and carefree as Jamaica. Perhaps that's why more than 100,000 Canadians visit Jamaica each year.
If you're wanting to join the throngs of Canadians heading to this sunny island, good for you. You'll love the amazing waterfront activities and the beautiful weather in this friendly country.
And, anyone planning a trip to this nation simply has to stay at the Moon Palace Jamaica. Here's what to know about this fantastic hotel.
Moon Palace Jamaica is an all-inclusive resort located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It offers over 700 different accommodations, all situated on the waterfront and offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea.
The hotel has a four-star rating thanks to its excellent service and ideal location. It's a family-friendly resort where many vacationers love staying on their getaways.
Jamaica is a unique nation thanks to floral and faunal diversity. In fact, it's such a unique environment that many people head to the island to study ecology!
Jamaica is characterized by a mild, tropical climate. The area features everything from mountainous regions to low-lying plains and beaches.
On the island, you'll find tons of orchids that are native to the island. Since the island rose out of the ocean thousands of years ago, plant species have developed in isolation for generations.
You'll see all kinds of unique animals on the island, including mongeese, manatees, crocodiles, and tons of lizards. Keep your eyes peeled for these unique animals while visiting the area!
Getting to Moon Palace Jamaica
Are you excited about the possibility of visiting this beautiful island and staying at Moon Palace Jamaica? Here's what you need to know about the hotel's location and how to get there.
Location
Moon Palace Jamaica is located in the northeastern part of the island of Jamaica. It's located on Mallards Bay and is situated right on the beach.
Transportation
Norman Manley Airport is just 63km away from Moon Palace Jamaica. You'll need to either book a taxi or a rental car in order to get from the airport to the hotel, which will take you about an hour.
Alternatively, you can travel to the hotel on a cruise ship. The Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal is located just 1km away from the hotel. You can walk there in about 15 minutes or can take a taxi to reach the hotel.
Local Language and Culture
Jamaica has a vibrant and laid-back culture. Colourful dress, cheerful music, good food, and Christianity are all key aspects of the Jamaican lifestyle.
The religion of the island is predominantly Christian, although many islanders also practice Voodoo. You can see these influences in the local art and music.
Jamaicans love music and are the inventors of the music genre reggae. Reggae is characterized by lively beats and often steel drums.
Is It Beneficial to Know a Little Jamaican Patois?
Even if you're a native English speaker, Jamaican English or Patois will be nothing like the English you're used to. Jamaicans use a mix of English and African words to create their own unique dialect.
Luckily most Jamaicans are aware that Canadian visitors to Jamaica and other foreign travellers don't speak the local language. They'll tone down their idioms when speaking with you to make sure you can get around okay.
The Atmosphere at Moon Palace Jamaica
The atmosphere at Moon Palace is lively and fun. Since it's a family-friendly resort, you'll feel right at home if you bring kids.
The resort is a modern and boisterous place to stay. While you'll definitely be able to relax here, it's a better option for those who want to have some fun and get into the spirit of adventure.
How Do People Rate the Service?
People staying at Moon Palace Jamaica give the hotel good ratings for service. Guests felt that the staff at the hotel were genuinely happy to be there and to help their guests.
They also felt that the cleaning team did a great job keeping the rooms free of dirt and sand. The cleaners take care of your room every day so that you'll always have fresh sheets to come home to.
Hotel Amenities
Moon Palace Jamaica offers tons of amenities to guests. That's one of the reasons why so many visitors choose to stay at this hotel. Here are some of the top amenities to enjoy at this location.
Restaurants
The Moon Palace Jamaica has seven different restaurants offering buffet style and a la carte dining. You'll enjoy international food, coffee, snacks, traditional Jamaican dishes, and more at these restaurants.
Whichever restaurant you choose to dine at, make sure that you try a plate of Jamaican jerk chicken! You can't really say you've visited the island until you've had this island specialty.
Bars
Want to sip on a specialty cocktail while you lounge on the beach? Check out one of the hotel's six bars! Two of the bars, the piano bar and the loud bar, are adults only. Another unique bar is the swim-up bar located out by the pool.
No matter which bar you head to, make sure to order a Jamaican rum punch. You can even order a nonalcoholic version for your kids.
Pools and Beaches
The hotel has four pools, one of which is a kids pool and the other which has waterslides. There are no adults-only pools, but one of the pools does feature a swim-up bar that you'll adore!
You can also relax and unwind in the jacuzzis on the property. Or, you can head down to the beach to enjoy snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing.
Tours
The hotel offers a wide range of tours that you can book through their guest services. Whether you want land or water adventures, you're sure to find an activity that you'll love!
The tours the hotel offers include:
A trip to Yaaman Adventure Park
A bus tour to Dunn's River Falls
PADI Discover Scuba Program
PADI Openwater Certification
Advanced PADI Certification
AweSpa
Do you want to spend your days relaxing at the hotel's spa? Book a massage, facial, or body wrap at the hotel and spend the afternoon pampering yourself.
Or, simply take advantage of the many hydrotherapy pools. No matter what you select, you'll love the spa at Moon Palace Jamaica.
Playroom
If you're travelling with kids, they'll love being able to spend the day making friends in the playroom! The playroom is open from 10 am to 10 pm daily and is appropriate for kids ages 4-11. Kids under 4 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Flowrider
Want to try a truly unique experience during your stay? Check out the Flowrider, a wave simulator that makes you feel like you're out in the wild ocean.
You can either go bodyboarding or try the stand-up boards provided by the hotel. Note that the stand-up boards are for adults only.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Every night the resort comes to life with dancing and live shows. Enjoy classy jazz music at the piano bar, dance your heart out at the onsite club, or mix and mingle at the loud bar.
You'll also love the famous Michael Jackson show. Jam out to Thriller and Bad while watching Michael Jackson impersonators steal the limelight!
Excursions
Don't want to spend all your time at the resort? There are plenty of fantastic excursions you can participate in, too! Here are some of the must-see activities while visiting Jamaica.
Dunn's River Falls
One excursion offered by the hotel is a trip out to Dunn's River Falls. These beautiful waterfalls are located in the island's jungle.
Your tour will take you on a mini-shuttle bus departing from the hotel. The trip includes admission to the falls, a guided hike, all transportation, and access to the craft market.
Make sure to pack your bathing suit so that you can go swimming in these beautiful falls. Plus, bring some money for snacks at the local market!
Mystic Mountain Jamaica
Right near the hotel is the Mystic Mountain adventure park. This park allows you to participate in roller coasters, zip lines, cable cars, and a high ropes course.
Mystic Mountain Jamaica is a great option for families with kids. They'll love the sense of adventure they get as they hang out at this amazing theme park for the day!
Mahogany Beach
Another amazing excursion to take while staying at the resort is to head over to Mahogany Beach. This beach is located in a small lagoon slightly set into the island.
You'll love feeling like you're in paradise while you lounge in the cool waters of the lagoon with ferns all around you.
Fern Gully
Speaking of ferns, if you love greenery you'll want to head to the fern gully. This unique road is covered in ferns that create a unique, leafy tunnel.
While a trip to the fern gully won't take long, you can pair it with one of the other excursions on this list for an adventure-filled day of fun!
Is Moon Palace Jamaica Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
While there are plenty of adults-only resorts in Jamaica, Moon Palace is not one of them. This hotel is child-friendly and is perfect for any family planning a getaway to the island nation of Jamaica.
It's good to keep in mind that not all activities are appropriate for kids. Nighttime entertainment occasionally has age limits and kids will not be allowed to enter the bars.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
Many people choose to travel alone. You're probably wondering if it's safe for you to leave the resort while staying at Moon Palace Jamaica.
The good news is that Jamaica is considered a very safe country for solo travellers. Most people around the island are extremely friendly and are happy to help you make your way around.
Just to be safe, make sure to let the hotel staff where you're going and when you're planning to be back. It's always best to be prepared in every situation and to put safety first.
Are There Extra Costs to be Aware Of?
Even though it's an all-inclusive resort, there are a few extra costs that you should be aware of when staying at the Moon Palace Jamaica. A few add-ons that you can enjoy at the hotel include:
Conference facilities
Medical office and on-call doctor
Taxi service
Tour desk
Gift and jewelry shops
Laundry and dry cleaning
Spa services and beauty salon
Investing in these add-ons can take your vacation from good to great. Plus they can make your stay more convenient for business travel.
Best Time to Visit Moon Palace Jamaica
The best time to visit Jamaica is in November. You can score great flight deals to the island throughout the entire month and spilling over into December until about the middle of the month.
After that, prices tend to rise until April, when the major tourist season dies down. Despite the high prices, the weather is ideal until the end of April, when the rainy season sets in.
If you're wanting a great price with superb weather, we recommend booking your trip in late November. You'll get sunny skies, warm temperatures, and great deals.
Overall Reviews
People who stayed at Moon Palace Jamaica gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor. They felt that the hotel offered great service, an awesome location, and superb cleanliness.
The place where most individuals said that the hotel could use some improvement was in its overall value for money. Many guests felt that the hotel didn't offer the best value for their money.
However, the hotel does run regular deals. If you're planning a vacation to this resort, make sure to check out the specials the hotel offers to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
NAME
DETAILS
Star rating
4.5
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
November - Mid-December
What Are You Waiting For? Book Your Trip Today!
A stay at Moon Palace Jamaica is one that you won't forget. You'll have the chance to participate in some incredible adventures and to relax and unwind from your busy lifestyle.
Before you book your vacation, make sure to take out a travel insurance policy to keep you protected. Get a quote from the team at Insurdinary to get started.