Jamaica - Montego Bay or Negril

Old Mar 28th, 2012, 10:20 AM
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Jamaica - Montego Bay or Negril

Would like to visit Jamaica. The beach is of no interest and I am particualrly interested in adventure activities like zip linning, ATVs, the bobsledge, etc. Initially I was thinking of staying in Montego Bay, but the prices for packages are much less if I choose to stay in Negril. I have looked at tour options for both cities and Montego Bay has has more tours available (both adventure tours and cultural tours).

Am I better off staying in Montego Bay, or is Negril a good base for a week long stay?

What is main difference between the two towns, in terms of shopping and dinning?

Can I easily get around both towns on food if I stay in a centrally located hotel?

Any advise on this subject will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Old Mar 28th, 2012, 08:58 PM
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opps, bad typos in my op, the question should read........

Can I easily get around both towns on foot if I stay in a centrally located hotel?
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Old Mar 29th, 2012, 02:46 AM
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Personally prefer Negril rockhousehotel.com
Best sunsets in the Carib nice rasta vibe not as dodgy
as MoBay a big city lots of poverty best small hotels
out by the airport Doctor's Cove beach. Wexford was pretty good
for me last www.booking.com many others at good price with honest reviews unlike Tripadvertizer lots of agents touts fakes.

Happy Deciding!
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Old Mar 29th, 2012, 03:53 AM
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No contest. Negril is a much better place to stay in almost every way. Just curious though why you would go to Jamaica if you're not interested in the beach?
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Old Mar 29th, 2012, 04:32 AM
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Thanks for the replies.

Weadles, outside of Mexico Jamaica appears to be the only sun destination that offers a variety of adventure activities. I enjoy adventure activities much more than the beach. I have recently travelled to Mexico and thought Jamaica would be a destination I'd enjoy.

Sounds like I'll be better off staying in Negril.
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Old Mar 29th, 2012, 05:46 AM
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Actually, for the things you want to do on vacation, Ocho Rios may be closer option. You will fly into Montego Bay. If you stay in Negril, it's about 90 minutes to Negril and about an hour to Ocho Rios (not including shuttle bus hotel stops along the way)

There is a Zip line park, ATV's, Bodsled, river tubing, rafting down the Martha Brae, parasailing and the Green Gotto Caves in/around the Ocho Rios area.

We stayed in Negril our first trip and Ocho Rios this past December. Yes, Negril is the better place to stay if you are wanting a beach vacation. Ocho Rios is the area for more off property sightseeing and tours.

I found this website that lists various tours available for each area. It might help with your decision.

http://www.excursionsinjamaica.com/i...=104&Itemid=90
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Old Mar 29th, 2012, 06:34 PM
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RJames, In all of our trips to Jamaica, we've barely left the beach, so it's interesting to hear about the 'adventure activities'. We'e gone down the Martha Brae, gone snorkeling, fishing ( both ocean and river) and climbed Dunns River Falls, but that's about it. I'll be interested to hear about your trip when you get back. Sounds like KVR has great advice and Ocho might be a better match for you. Anyway, have fun!
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 09:35 AM
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Thanks for all the replies.

Weadles, unfortunately I won't be able to help you with adventure activities in Jamaica as I am not travelling to the island. I have booked a trip to Mexico instead, I'll definitely do zip linning and ATV excursions when I'm there.

Never been to Jamaica and it remains on my to do list.
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 12:30 PM
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RJames, don't know if you have done ATV's outside of Playa del Carmen, but if you are planning there are 2 seperate ones offered. One is on the beach at Maroma and one is through the jungle, with stops a small Mayan Ruins and a cenote. That tour is much better, so check carefully of where they actually go before booking. X'Plor is a great Zip line park as well as http://www.alltournative.com and www.hiddenworlds.com. Also look at http://www.playa.info/tours-anna-james-general.html Great excursions, for people who don't do tours.

Have a great vacation.
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 02:27 PM
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Thank you, KVR. I have done some of the excursions you recommend when I'd been to Cancun some years ago. Your recommendations are all great suggestions. I'm heading to Puerto Vallarta on my upcoming trip. Never been there and will go to San Sebastian for a day trip, the other days I plan on zip linning (Los Veranous or Vallarta Adventures), going on ATVs (Extreme ATV) and just relaxing. Pity there is no bobsled in PV, that is one reason why I was leaning towards Jamaica, but availability for Jamaica didn't work datewise/schedulewise, go I'll be visiting PV instead.
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 02:43 PM
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We went to PV back in 2007. Had a great time. We used Best Day Tours for the Jungle Trio and Vallarta Adventures for Yelapa and Majahuitas. We went in a December. The beaches/ocean are nothing like Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

We found a great bar called Andales. They play mostly 70's and 80's hits. We joined in with this group and had an awesome time. We have considered going back just so we can go to that bar again.

Too bad about Jamaica. We have gone both times the first week of a December because prices are so much better than any other time of year. I have to say, we prefer Mexico.
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 02:58 PM
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Thank you, KVR.

I am currently looking at prices for adventure activities I was in Cancun just over 2 years ago, and I do remember the prices for activities there. I'm pleased to report prices are much less in PV and I have found some reputable adventure activity tour operators on Trip Advisor.

I orginally did intend to book Jamaica, my travel dates are not flexible and flights to Monetgo Bay that were available all had lousy connections; I really don't want to spend longer travelling to my destination than need be. Flights to Cancun and PV were availble for my travel dates and I chose the later as I have not visited PV and have been to Cancun. I'll get to Jamaica oneday, and the information about Jamaica on this thread will come in handy in the future.

Thanks everybody for your help.
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Old Apr 6th, 2012, 04:20 PM
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Def you want to get to Negril one day. we've been there twice and Cancun/ PV once. I'd go back to Negril in a flash.
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Old Apr 8th, 2012, 06:42 AM
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Great choice!!!! Puerto Vallarta is my favorite place and it has so much of what you are looking for. I think you'll love it (I've been there 20+ times, try to go every year at least once).

Negril is also lovely and when you DO make it do Jamaica, definitely stay in Negril not MoBay. There are activities there that will fit what you like to do (but much more in PV). Stay up on 'The Cliffs' since you don't care about the beach.

Look under my screen name, I have several threads about PV with lots of helpful contributions from people.
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