A-Z Jamaica Planners??

Has anyone used this company before in booking excursions? They seem to be very reasonably priced and just wanted to make sure we weren't going down the wrong path in Jamaica.

Thanks

After reading positive reviews on A-Z Jamaica Planners, we decided to book a tour through them for our October cruise (we stop in Ocho Rios). Belinda from A-Z responded immediately to my e-mail request and within a few days we received our invoice (reservations). You do not pay until you get there. And she said we will receive a e-mail explaining how they (and name of our guide) will meet you at the pier.

I'm actually still in the middle of our current Western Caribbean cruise on the Mariner of the Seas. I'm just taking a small internet break during our last day of sea, and I can't help but post something wonderful about A-Z.

A-Z Jamaica Planners was great!!! Oscar was our guide, and we couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. :)

My boyfriend and I did the Dunn's Falls and River Tubing package. We met another couple on the cruise, and they came along too. When we arrived in Ocho Rios, we were queued in a separate line for "Independent Tours". Then, we were immediately directed to our guide Oscar and our tour bus before all the other cruise tour lines had even formed. There was a total of 6 of us with Oscar.

Oscar took us to the Dunn's Falls before the crowds came. We were the first bus in the parking lot!!! We were able to leave all our backpacks in the bus during the tour. Oscar told us exactly what we needed for the Falls. Plus since there were only 6 of us, the climb was quick and easy. We could enjoy a unique photo opportunity at each level of the falls without having to deal with crowds of people pushing us along. After our tour, we talked to another couple that climbed the falls with a cruise tour, and they said that they climbed it with a group of 25 people!!!

After the Falls, Oscar drove us through Fern Gully and around the local homes. He taught us about the fruits and plants native to the surrounding areas. He answered all of our questions that we had about local Jamaican life. And when we wanted to do a little shopping and drinks before lunch, he took us to a Jamaican street market for a little while. I really enjoyed this street market style of bargain shopping. A couple ladies on our tour didn't like it as much, so Oscar stayed with them so they wouldn't get harassed.

While enjoying a nice lunch at The Ruins (which included unlimited rum punch), Oscar called the river tubing guides to let them know we were on our way. When we arrived at the White River, our tubes were waiting for us as well as the 2 river guides. The tubing was fun!!! Just a small warning... the rubber on the tubes gave me a small rash because I was paddling with my arms and feet. You might consider wearing long shorts or long sleeves. River tubing was a wonderful experience!!! And a must do!

After the tubing, we still had a little time before we had to get back to the ship. We all wanted to do a little more shopping, so Oscar took us to the Taj Mahal Shopping Center for last minute souvenirs and great bargains on coffee and jewelry. Then, he dropped a couple people off at Margaraitaville for drinks and us off at the port. We couldn't have asked for a better tour. The price was unbeatable for a full day tour. And it was so personalized, because there were only 6 of us on the tour!!! He changed the itinerary to fit most our requests.

I highly recommend A-Z!!! Oscar was the highlight of our cruise experience. We did Stingray City in Grand Cayman, Chankanaab Park's Dolphin Experience in Cozumel... but Ocho Rios was our favorite day because of Oscar!!!

:D Chrissy

We used them last month in Montego Bay. They met us inside the pier with a sign with our name on it. We took the Mayfield falls tour. It was one of the nicest things we did on the cruise. Garfield was our driver, Melinda may have been our guide. The falls were wonderful. There were two young men who escorted, carried in some places, us up the falls. There were 8 of us total on the trip. They brought us back to Montego Bay, stopped at a little place for lunch and gave us about an hour on del sol beach. The beach was ok I could have skiped it...but A-z was great. I have been to Jamaica 3 other times on cruises and this was by far my favorite.

We are leaving on Fri. (27th), and I booked A-Z, Belinda was very fast at answering all my questions and we are doing what we want on the tour, she works with whatever you are interested in doing.

Just want to give another positive report on AZ planner. Sounds like Belinda of the agency took some time off (our driver informed us). Recently restarted booking tours again. We did Mayfield Falls/Dr Cave's Beach from Mo Bay. Our driver Mark was punctual, thoughtful and responsible. As family of 5, we got a private tour (with price quoted online). Mark allowed a lot of flexibility (including looking for fresh coconut juice, and extra time for kids to play at Margaritaville's slide and water toys).

It is very much a mom & pop operation - my money went straight to the operators, not to a company or big boss. That by itself is refreshing to me.