With all of the new travel protocols put into place, I was excited to get “Back to the Beach” with Sandals to experience for myself all the changes so that I could better prepare clients! Not gonna lie… I was also VERY excited to escape the cold snowy Pennsylvania winter and get back to Jamaica - one of my very favorite places (though if you know me well enough, you know I have a million favorite places!). I am so excited to share with you what it was like traveling internationally during the pandemic with the new travel restrictions and to let you know how truly EASY it all was. PLUS, I truly got to feel like we were escaping because it felt almost like a pre-covid world down there (a very SAFE pre-Covid world!)
Jamaica is one of the countries that has some requirements to complete before you can actually go! I was a bit nervous about these requirements but, to be honest, they were SO simple!
First off, follow the Jamaica Tourist Board for all updates on their requirements! At the time I traveled I had to:
- Take a Negative Covid Test No More than 10 Days Before Travel
- Complete Jamaica Travel Authorization No More Than 5 Days Before Travel.
I scheduled my covid test at CVS ($149). This can be done up to 3 days ahead of time and I had no issue scheduling. I went to the drive-through at my local CVS, swabbed myself while they walked me through the process, and within 36 hours had my negative test results.
The Jamaica Travel Authorization was super easy too! I filled it out in less than 5 minutes and immediately had my authorization!
There are great non-stop flights out of Philadelphia to Montego Bay and my flights were half empty both going to Jamaica and coming home from Jamica! I had the window seats and both seats next to me were empty! Your mileage may vary on this, but I was super happy about it!! Mask are, of course, required on the airplane and in the airport and they will remind you to put your mask properly. It is now a federal offense to NOT wear your mask properly on the airplanes!
When I checked in at the airport, I had to show my negative Covid test and Travel Authorization (as well as my passport of course!). They approved my documents and sent me on my way through Security! I used my amazing TSA PreCheck and was on my way! When I got to the gate, I did have to show my documents again to the gate agent (This did not happen to everyone because apparently some got their boarding pass properly marked by the Check-In agent and some didn’t but it was a simple process!).
Upon arriving in Jamaica, I was greeted by my Club MoBay representative. Club MoBay is an added service that expedites you through Customs and guides you through the process. They have an arrivals lounge that you can use, as well as an incredible departures lounge (more about that later!). Getting through Customs was seamless and easy with the assistance of my Club MoBay rep and I was taken right to the Sandals lounge where I grabbed a quick snack and a Red Stripe Beer and I was on the way! I highly recommend adding on Club MoBay to your trip! It is absolutely worth the cost!
The transfer to Sandals South Coast is about 1 hour and 20 minutes in an air-conditioned van. The transfers are carrying less people right now so that they are socially distanced. You do stop about halfway so that you can use the restroom and/or grab a snack or drink at the local shop!
Upon arrival to Sandals South Coast, the shuttle driver is temperature checked and when I got out of the van, we were greeted with hand sanitizer, a temperature check, and a cold washcloth to freshen up. We were then immediately taken to the Club Sandals Lounge where we were offered a drink and snacks while checking in!
Sandals South Coast… How do I love Thee… Let me Count the Ways!
This was my second trip to Sandals South Coast…. the first was in January of 2020 pre-covid and the second in February of 2021. I was lucky enough to visit all the Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica in January of 2020 and really loved each of them and think that they each bring something very unique to the table as they all have very different feels; however, South Coast happens to be among my top choices!
The Entertainment:
If you know me, you know that I think the entertainment is the best part of a trip. I absolutely LOVE watching entertainers. We were lucky enough to experience several of their incredible nightly performances (Broadway night was my favorite!). In addition, we got to do some karaoke at the Martini Lounge (make sure you grab a chocolate martini and say hi to Peter and Ishmael for me!) and did some dancing with the DJ! We also got to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday (February 6) while we were there and got to watch them set up for what looked like an incredible Super Bowl party.
The Room:
I stayed in an Italian Beachfront Club Level Room and it was fantastic. I could sit out on my patio and look out at the beautiful beach and water while working (not a bad office, huh?!). I had incredible Club Level service (which, of course, my favorite part is the room service because when you’re working, sometimes you just don’t have time to make it to a restaurant!). The room was conveniently located near all of the dining options, Club Sandals, and the Italian pool (as well as very close to the beach!).
There are three different Village options for Sandals South Coast - the Italian Village, the Dutch Village, and the French Village. The Dutch village has the brand newly renovated swim-up rooms which are just fantastic. There are also the brand new South Seas Rondoval Swim-Up Suites and Over-the-Water Bungalows. No matter what type of accommodation you’re looking for, we can find you something perfect!
The Food:
There are 9 dining options at Sandals South Coast and I was lucky to enjoy a few of them! My favorite meal had to be the gnocchi from Giussepe’s but if you have a sweet tooth like I do, make sure you stop by Café de Paris for the ever-changing yummy snacks! The best part about the food…. You can eat as much or as little as you want! Often times, we will order multiple meals from a restaurant so that we can try different items or we will go have appetizers at one restaurant, entrees at another, and dessert at another! You can truly get your fill of whatever you love at the restaurants as there is such variety!
The Watersports:
One of the things that I love most about Sandals Resorts are the Included Watersports! At Sandals South Coast, you have the option of the following included watersports: Snorkeling, Sailing, Windsurfing, Paddleboards, Glass Bottom Boat, Wakeboarding, Tubing, Waterskiing, Kayaking, and Scuba Diving (If you are certified! If not, Sandals has a program that will certify you for an additional cost). I tried Waterskiing on this trip and have to say, I was absolutely awful at it but my instructor, Chavez, was kind and patient and encouraged me to keep trying and I will definitely try again on my next trip! It’s nice to be able to try something that you may not succeed at since it’s all included!
Sandals Platinum Protocols/COVID Testing:
Sandals is taking all the necessary steps to make sure that your vacation is safe and healthy. They have adapted the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness. I truly felt safe when I was on resort from the moment I arrived. The resort is enormous so there is LOTS of room to socially distance. You are not required to wear masks on property except in the stores; however, staff is required to wear masks at all times.
In addition to the Platinum Protocols. to adapt to the new Covid-testing requirements enacted on 1/26/21 that all traveling internationally from the US must take a Covid test, Sandals and Beaches are now providing these free of charge. You will receive this test within 72 hours of your departure and will have an appointment letter left in your room for you. They are doing the rapid tests and you receive the results right away. If for some reason you test positive, they are allowing you to quarantine on resort.
As every adventure has to come to an end, I left my fantastic trip to Sandals South Coast and headed back on the shuttle to the airport. When there, I checked in at the Kiosk, showed my negative Covid test, and headed to the Club MoBay lounge. The departure Lounge at Club MoBay is fantastic. They have a menu of food that you can order (they are all smaller-appetizer-sized but you can order as many as you want!) as well as getting in a few more co*cktails before your flight! You will also receive complimentary Wi-Fi at the Club MoBay lounge!
I leave a bit of my heart in Jamaica every time I go, but I know I will be back soon! I would love to help you experience Jamaica! Please contact me above for a free quote!
