Utility costs there are a bitch - unbelievably high. I don't own property so I don't pay property taxes. You really gotta "shop" to find decent deals on food items. And yes, pet food is very dear.
No doubt, and I've been saying this for 20 years - living in Jamaica ain't easy. It takes a lot to make a little which is why you don't see many rich expats running around there, lol. I stole my standard advice to anyone seeking to move there from a friend - "If you want to make a small fortune bring a large one" or "figure out how much you'll need then triple it."
I find for the time I spend there day to day costs of living are about the same as they are in California. Of course, I'm paying a mortgage at home and rent there and thank god my landlord is kind, the yard is not tourist yard (all full time residents except for me) so my rent reflects that. But I can still clearly remember just about 10-12 years ago where I could live very well on very little. Things have gotten very expensive in that time.
Like Sharleen, my "dream" of retiring in Jamaica has changed. I haven't rule it out and I'd still like to expand my time spent there by a month or two - but when that dream first formed it was realisitic to think that with a modest off-shore monthly fixed income I could live comfortably. I'm not so sure about that now. That, and medical care...well, I'm thinking twice about the whole situation.
Just like here, I don't live as a shut-in there but there it is a bit easier to chill in the yard and be totally satisfied with that. No need to spend tons of money when you have good friends all around you.