THE CONNEK TRIP
CONNEK invites you to see a “queer, safe, beautiful, [and] LIT” Jamaica through a variety of activities focusing on Jamaica’s diverse beauty. It’s the perfect vacation for foreigners and staycation for locals in Jamaica looking to connect to other queer folk and liberals in Kingston.
Our second annual trip in April 2021, included workshops and family dinners to foster connection with locals, a fundamental pillar of CONNEK’s mission. We are always working exclusively with queer talent, allies of the community and local vendors across the board. All of our partners and vendors were in compliance of Jamaican government Covid protocol to keep us all safe during the trip. Want to join us in 2022? Sign up for our waiting list!
CONNEK is a small start up project by queer artists with big dreams to make change in Jamaica. CONNEK is dedicated to working with allies in Kingston, Jamaica and small businesses who believe in the CONNEK mission. Our small and humble business partners for this trip are dedicated to queer safe spaces and building a Jamaica free of bigotry and we need your help to keep the dream alive. Donate today to our efforts!
CONNEK TOURS:
Our yearly group Connek trip is the center piece of this Connek project but spots are limited and it's once a year but don't worry we got you: Coming to Jamaica? Want to connect to queer family in Jamaica any time of the year in person? Looking for places to go that are lit, queer friendly and outside the resort world? Some of the day tours we offer are below but we can customize tours too. Hit the “Request a Tour Today” button and email us. You can see some of the tours we offer below:
Date you are looking to book a Connek Tour(s)
If you need a link to a hotel that is a partner of ours for lodging we can offer that set up at a charge
The amount of people in your group
Name, emails and pronouns
ACCOMMODATIONS/ LODGING:
For the international attendees you will be at two different villas. One is One32 Guest House where we had our CONNEK lodging and bashment last year. This bed and breakfast is owned by our CONNEK family Jade who has always been an ally to the community and also makes the most amazing meals for purchase.
Jade has been a huge support of Jamsterdam, RAGGA NYC and CONNEK for sometime now. She is dedicated to making sure all international attendees feel at home in her humble bed and breakfast. One32 Guest House has a outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, garden, bar and shared lounge all in a secure, gated part of Kingston. The private suites of One32 Guest House have their own entrance, bathroom and kitchen. The single rooms in the shared suites have share bathroom and kitchens.
The other villa will be at Mikuzi Kingston. Mikuzi Kingston is situated in a residential area next to the Prime Minister's residence 10 minutes away from Jade’s place. The villa has wireless internet, self-serve laundry, a fitness center with a gym, air conditioner and cable tv. There also is a lovely tropical garden to relax in and exceptionally friendly staff. These suites have private bathrooms and kitchens.
Accommodations room size and layout of the space to come available upon request. Please contact connekja@gmail.com with any questions.
Due to Covid we have made edits to the Connek itinerary. Things like canceling our large Connek bashsment and turning it into a night of ambassador showcases have been made to the itinerary. Our Connek team has gone over all Covid protocols that the government has put in place with the trip vendors and they are all in compliance. From the restaurants we are getting food from to the zip lining company - everyone on our itinerary is set up to have a safe experience. If interested you can check out some of the requirements the tourism board has sent to vendors nationally in Jamaica here and here. To read more about our Connek Trip x Covid 2021 protocol/ instructions click here.
The CONNEK PACKAGE
Whats included in the CONNEK package fee:
Transportation to and from the airport and to all planned CONNEK events including Saturday excursions
Entrance to all CONNECK planned tours and events, excluding the Saturday partner day excursions
Tour guides and security is provided by the CONNEK team to keep everyone together, informed and safe
What’s not Included?
Attendees should expect to bring money for lunch, dinner and libations. See full itinerary for detail
Flights are not included in the CONNEK package
CONNEK TRIP RUN DOWN: REVISED COVID/ LOCKDOWN ITINERARY (some detail subject to change due to Covid)
DAY 1: AMBASSADOR LINK UP -
“Connek Circle”, Lunch buffet by Jade, CONNEK family toast and dinner, and CONNEK ambassador showcase #1.
DAY 2: RESORT LIFE -
Light Breakfast, Head to Riu Resort, beach time, CONNEK family dinner and resort outdoor club.
DAY 3: RESORT/VILLA LIFE -
Breakfast, beach and pool with a swim up bar, lunch, Activities: windsurfing, small catamaran, kayaking (not included in the Connek package), head over to Oceans Palm Villa, Family dinner.
DAY 4: VILLA LIFE PT.2 -
Light breakfast. During breakfast we'll have our Connek co founders give a presentation about Connek and open up the conversation about what “international family” means. They will dive into the Connek mission and talk about how this all ties to history, queer liberation at large and other organizations in Jamaica doing this work, beach time, 2nd Ambassador Showcase, Connek circle closing ceremony.
DAY 5:
Sleep in, exchange numbers, lay by the pool and check out.