travellamb

Does anyone know how far it is from Tensing Pen to a sandy beach? Can we take a cab? Are there any beaches anyone recommends? We'll be there in mid-December.
Many thanks!

liza

It's a 10-15 minute cab ride, depending where on the beach you want to go. About $10.

This map of Negril may help yu find your way, your hotel, and spots to eat, hang out, etc:

http://www.alink.com/personal/liz/ne...l_11_15_06.pdf

travellamb

Thanks for this map! Will it be easy enough to catch a cab back? What's the beach like? Are there any beaches with some waves or are they all pretty calm?
Thanks again!

travellamb

One other question - are the beaches in Negril - along 7 mile beach for example - private or can anyone (like us, since we're not staying at a hotel on the beach) have access to the beach from anywhere? Thanks again!

liza

The "7 mile" beach (more like 5, Bloody Bay is the other 2) is public all the way. It has hotels and restaurants and bars on it and some of those do not allow non-guests onto the hotel property, but the beach is public and many properties along it welcome you to use their lounge chairs, etc. if you are buying drinks or a meal.

The beach in Negril is calm 90% of the time...occasionally a storm kicks it up but usually it's bath-like. If it is that way on one part it is that way on all parts.

You can take a taxi to a beach hotel like Kuyaba and simply turn right at the sea and start walking. You'll pass lots of interesting spots to stop at, and the sea is there the whole way. Expect offers for everything as you walk...glass bottom boat trips, jewelry, drugs, fresh fruit, you name it. If it gets overwhelming walk the waterline and just wave "no" at folks that call out, "no thanks" is for those that approach.

Enjoy Tensing Pen...we were next door at Catcha Falling Star and really enjoyed that area of the cliffs. Wise Choice supermarket across the street had all kinds of stuff, there's a scooter rental place across the street, Seastar Inn up lane across has good food and a pool that is open to the public, and you can wlak towards town to 3 Dives, Rockhouse nad lotsof other great places to eat.

Try to get the other direction too, away from town for a bit, past the lighthouse...really different and quiet up that way.

liza

PS: Getting a cab is EASY most anytime of day or night. Do settle the price before you get in, and have exact change if possible.

Expect to bargain.

I have a few drivers I like (post if you'd like phone #s), Tensing Pen will surely be able to get you a cab too though it may cost more. I collect cell #s of drivers I like to deal with and call them for rides around town (and beyond, most taxi drivers love to do tours too).

ltilson

Some of the beach restaurants offer a free ride if you are going for dinner...give them a call first and see if they will pick you up. You will need to find your own ride back to the cliffs. Definitely try 3-Dives and LTU for dinner on the cliffs. Xtabi & Rockhouse are also nice....great bar areas.

You will LOVE Tensing Pen...going back for my second visit in January. Which cottage are you staying in? They now have a bar on site and their dinners are fabulous. You will not want to leave...the property is beautiful. I heard that their new pool is open and is fantastic. It's very private since it is not open to the public like some of the other cliff properties....ENJOY!

travellamb

Thanks very much for the responses - they are very helpful!

We will be staying at the pillars in Tensing Pen. I liked the idea of an outdoor shower. Was that a good choice?
I am really excited.

We were considering bringing inflatable cushions or tubes to float around while we're at Tensing Pen. From what I read on the posts, the hotel doesn't offer anything like that and I thought it might be useful if we decided to stay at the hotel. Does anyone do anything like that? It's easy enough to pack and then we can donate it to the hotel after we leave.

ltilson

I think bringing something to float on is a great idea. We bring rafts when we stay on the beach and leave them there for the next guests. In fact, I am going to ask where they are when I check in on January 6th!

The pillar rooms are very cool. My friends stayed in the middle pillar during our last visit and have reserved it again. And she loved the outdoor shower. Being in the pillar is like your own private treehouse. The views and sound of the waves crashing into the cliffs are fantastic. I stayed in the cove cottage during our last vacation and never wanted to leave. The whole place has been revamped since Hurricane Ivan so I can't wait to go back and see what it is like.

If you feel like taking a break from their cooking (which is excellent) there are a lot of good places to eat within walking distance. Just be careful walking on that road....they drive like maniacs. Have fun....Lori