Staying on the island of Jamaica can make your vacation extra special. Not only is Jamaica an island that is full of life and happiness, it is also a beautiful place to spend some time. Rather than staying in a hotel, which can get expensive very quickly, there are a few other things that you can try in order to make your stay in Jamaica more financially reasonable.



Rental properties are the best way for a traveler to stay inexpensively in Jamaica. Because Jamaica offers so many different types of rental properties, you can almost guarantee the right type of property for anyone's financial means and preference. Rental properties offer the traveler a greater sense of freedom, because they can come and go as they please, cook their own meals, and have a greater feeling of autonomy. Rental properties are usually roomier than hotels as well. The one caveat to a rental property is that you generally must be willing to stay longer than a week. Most properties will rent out for more than seven days at once, and if you are going to use a rental property in Jamaica over Christmas, you will need to rent it for ten days or more.

There are several types of rental properties available in Jamaica. One such property type is the apartment. In Jamaica, apartments are simply units in buildings that provide basic shelter. They might be as small as one room, which would be your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen combined. They do not have the luxurious frills and amenities that some other properties may have. Some apartment buildings do not have swimming pools, and some do not have a front desk where you can request information about the building or area. However, if you are planning to stay in Jamaica for a lengthy period of time, an apartment can be your best option. They are by far the cheapest option for renters, because they are readily available, and their small size makes for less expensive housing.

You might also be able to rent cottages in Jamaica. These are usually small and simple dwellings that can be rented for a week or more. Usually, cottages have a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen. They don't have much else, or much in the way of amenities. However, during the summer and other popular times, these cottages fill up quickly. Many times, they will need to be booked more than five or six months in advance before you plan to travel to Jamaica. Cottages are a good idea if you have several people in your party and you all wish to stay in the same general area. If you plan to travel with several people, sharing a cottage is a very affordable way to go.

Condominiums and villas are the two most popular types of rental properties on the island of Jamaica. Usually, condos will have a reception desk where you are guaranteed to have the help that you would need to navigate your stay or find your way around the island. For the most part, condos are similar to a large suite in an expensive hotel. Many condo complexes have pools, health and fitness centers, and other amenities that make for an even more enjoyable stay.

Villas are even more comfortable than condos. They are largely self-catering, but can come in any size from a small family home to a huge mansion on the beach. Some villas even come with a full staff! Even if they are not equipped with a full staff, most villas have some type of maid or cleaning service. Villas are the most expensive way to rent property in Jamaica, but they can give you the best experience. The extra expense just might be worth it if you are looking to travel in style with no worries and you don't want to fend for yourself.

Jamaica is an island that caters to tourists that wish to have flexibility in their stay. All of Jamaica's rental properties come standard with friendly service and often with much more than that. Many places in Jamaica exist solely for the purpose of catering to renters year round. The island is extremely tourist-friendly and you will find lots of businesses that feel like they are tailor-made to suit your needs.

Remember, though, that rental properties in Jamaica - even the smallest and least luxurious ones - have a tendency to fill up quickly. Be sure to contact a rental agent as soon as you know that Jamaica will be your vacation destination, and have them find a rental property with the best size, amenity package, and price to fit your needs.