I was fortunate to spend a special week with my sister in Jamaica. We usually travel together as a family, but this was the first time we took a trip just the two of us — a true Sister Moon.
People often mistake us for twins, and during this trip that happened even more frequently. We aren’t twins, but we are close in age — only a year and a half apart — and we do look a lot alike. Despite the confusion, we had an amazing time together in Ocho Rios.
Yes — my sister Shell got married three weeks before this trip, so this was a special getaway while she’s in between jobs. She and her husband already enjoyed a short “mini moon” in the Boundary Waters and plan a longer honeymoon in Southeast Asia later in the year.
Why I Went
This was technically a work trip. I partnered with Funjet Vacations, which was producing a documentary-style video series in Jamaica and invited me to participate as an influencer for part of the shoot. I joined the team for the Friday video production, and the rest of the stay was downtime to relax and explore the resort.
Funjet Vacations is known for booking all-inclusive vacation packages across the Caribbean and beyond, and they operate charter flights from major U.S. cities, making travel to the islands convenient. I enjoyed working with the film crew and appreciated their warm, friendly approach.
Where I Stayed
We stayed at the SANDALS Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica — an adults-only, all-inclusive property best known for its romantic atmosphere and extensive amenities. Although the resort caters mainly to couples, my sister and I embraced being the exception and enjoyed every minute of our stay.
Our villa was gorgeous and included a private pool and a personal butler — a real treat. The resort is expansive, with more than a dozen dining options, a golf course, beachfront access, and numerous pools. Most days we relaxed on the beach, read, and took advantage of the many water and land activities offered on site.
What I Did
Eat
The resort’s dining options made it easy to indulge. We typically used the buffet for breakfast and then tried many of the à la carte restaurants for lunch and dinner. My favorites were The Manor House, which served Caribbean dishes (the curried goat was outstanding), and Soy, the sushi restaurant, where the fresh fish and fried ice cream were highlights.
During the shoot I attended a cooking class with one of the resort chefs and learned to prepare traditional Jamaican dishes like ackee and salted cod and a vegetable rundown — a great way to bring new island flavors home.
We mostly drank wine during the trip, though we sampled a few signature cocktails at a lively bar on the property called The Rabbit Hole. And yes, we enjoyed plenty of soft-serve ice cream — two servings a day never hurts.
Fitness
The resort’s gym was well-equipped, and we managed to work out three of the five days. Exercise is part of my routine even on vacation, so I appreciated having good facilities available. We followed a couple of workouts from a summer fitness program and began each session with a one-mile warm-up run.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing was part of the video shoot, and it was refreshing to try it again after many years. My technique improved with each climb, and by the fourth attempt I felt much stronger and more confident. It’s a challenging and fun way to build strength and endurance.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
I fell in love with paddleboarding — it’s peaceful, gives you a full-body workout, and is a great way to enjoy the ocean. The resort includes unlimited SUP access, and we took advantage of it twice. One of the outings was quite windy, which made distance paddling difficult, but it was still a lot of fun and only resulted in one small spill.
Reading
I surprised myself by finishing a book on the trip — Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor and Park — in just a few days. I’ve decided to start small and aim for one book per month to carve out more time away from screens. My sister, who reads frequently, recommended other titles and continues to share suggestions, which makes it easier to stick with the habit.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling was another highlight and part of the video production. We took a short boat ride to a nearby reef and spent time floating above colorful marine life. Multiple underwater cameras captured much of the action, and I’m excited to see the footage. I hoped to encounter a sea turtle or stingray, but even without them the reef was full of fascinating creatures.
Both my sister and I tend to get motion sick on boats and buses, so we were cautious, but once we were in the water we felt fine and enjoyed the experience.
Overall, our stay at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort delivered beautiful beaches, great food, and plenty of activities. Although we were the only non-couple most of the time, the staff made us feel welcome and took excellent care of us — our butlers and the general manager were especially memorable. It was a lovely mix of adventure, relaxation, and sister time.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Funjet Vacations. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds.