I traveled to Jamaica in 2025 with a friend to enjoy a five-day, four-night luxury stay at Sandals Ochi, an all-inclusive resort. While Sandals advertises for couples, we chose it as friends due to the amenities included, the high food rating and it having a high standard. Plus, it’s adult only. I would go again with friends.

Below is an in-depth breakdown of the trip as well as some things I learned along the way.

Trip Details

Trip Dates: January 15-19, 2025

Main Places Visited:

• Sandals Ochi
• Blue Hole

Total Cost: $1,971.71

Cost Breakdown:

• Flight/Sandals package: $1,696.71/person.
• River Tubing + Blue Hole experience: $175/person.
• Airport food + souvenirs: $100.

Itinerary

January 15

• Arrive at 11:42 a.m. in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
  • Tip: Sandals has a private arrival lounge once you get through customs.
• 2-hour private airport transfer to Sandals Ochi.

January 16-18

• Enjoy the resort!
  • Tip: Book your dinner reservations on Day One.
  • Tip: We did an excursion on January 17. It was a couple hours longer than the website had said. And while it was nice getting off resort property, I wouldn’t do the tour again with its cost versus what we got. Again, this was a different trip than my usual, so I have high expectations for excursions.
  • Tip: Bring your own reusable straw and Yeti or something to keep your drink cold.
  • Tip: Order Jamaican drinks vs. stuff you’re used to. They tend to be better at making these (i.e. the Bob Marley).
  • Tip: Take advantage of the amenities like snorkeling. We paid $30/person for a snorkel at a shipwreck, and it was worth it for the extra time we got as well as the different snorkeling area versus the free snorkeling.

January 19

• Depart Montego Bay at 8 a.m.
  • Tip: I’d arrange a private transfer as we had to take a shuttle, leaving the resort at 3 a.m. The driver drove FAST so we go to the airport in about one hour and then had to wait for it to open.
• Arrive home at 1:51 p.m.