Car Hire In Jamaica
 

Hi<BR><BR>Three of us are off to Jamaica for the first time from the UK at the End of april. we range in age from 23-25 and we want to hire a car if possible (We're still gonna do the excursions but in the past the freedom of having a car is so much more fun). I've had a look on the net but the prices seem pretty steep or the deposit is horrendous. We want the car for 4-7 days. Does anyone know a good place to hire a car or have any ideas of the costs if we leave it untill we arrive? We're staying in Ocho Rios. ]<BR>Thanks!

I have been to Jamaica at least 10 times and have stayed in Ocho Rios (my favorite), Montego Bay and Negril. I WOULD NOT recommend that you drive in Jamaica, especially if this is your first visit. The roads are in poor condition, extremely dark and they drive like "bats out of hell". Several times while taking a shuttle from Montego Bay airport to Ocho Rios, our driver tail-gated the police officers and constanlty blew their horns to ask them to move out of their way!! We hired a driver in Montego Bay to take us to Negril and coming back, there were no lights on the road. People walk the dark roads with flashlights. The driver also told us that often the buses do not come as scheduled, so the locals pick up passengers on the way. I was thinking, what would happen to us if we suddenly broke down on this dark road? I think it might be better if you hired a driver, preferrably one through your hotel (we asked at the front desk) you can never be too careful because most of the stories you read about tourist attacks happen outside their resorts.

Can we get a comment from anyone who has actually rented a car in Jamaica and driven around the island quite a bit?<BR><BR>Everyone seems to think it's a bad idea (based on posts over the months), but I'm not sure we've heard from anyone who has done it.<BR><BR>We're considering it because my wife gets carsick if anyone else is driving and we'd like to drive from MoBay to Negril and also explore the island somewhat. Any firsthand experience out there?<BR><BR><BR>

Ok......I've been to JA at least 7 times in the last 15 yrs or so. Though I've rented cars and driven the roads, I really do not enjoy doing so unless I'm in an immediate area and just going from my villa to a local restaurant or pub. I would NEVER drive my car at night for many of the reasons discribed above. I've driven from Montego Bay to Ocho many times during the day and honestly dont like that much either.<BR><BR>I strongly rec. that you as a first time visitor DO NOT drive yourself.<BR>Rather, pay someone to do the driving for you.....it's not any more expensive, it helps them make the $$ they so badly need and you get a driver/tour guide all in one.<BR><BR>Have fun....You'll love the country and people!

Two comments. One - "you can never be too careful because most of the stories you read about tourist attacks happen outside their resorts."<BR><BR>What tourist attacks are you speaking of?<BR><BR>Two: there's a nice long thread on this topic at another forum and most of the people that answered have actually rented cars there:<BR><BR>http://www.jamaicans.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=18&t=002284<BR><BR> (that rather long URL may wrap when you try to paste it, if so just go to <BR>http://www.jamaicans.com/ , then Bulletin board, then "Discover Jamaica", then scroll down to the topic called "Drving in Jamaica" (yes it is misspelled on that site).<BR><BR>:) Liz

Just returned from Ocho Rios and will give you my opinion. I rented a car for a day with my husband and wouldn't do it again-way too stressful. You are from the UK so it will be easier for you than us as they drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the left in the car, BUT, after the rental day we found an excellent driver for the same $ for the whole day and had a blast. The rental place we used was called Triple A and the car was $55 (US) per day- it was a tiny car (Hundyai) that was not good for the Jamaican potholed roads-not to mention cramped. <BR>Our friend who lives and works in Jamaica recommended this transport service and it was a dream compareed to driving. I read lots of posts on this board from people who say "hire a driver" but I think that it's hard to plan ahead if you have to wait until you get there to find one (as we did).<BR>Here is the info. - arrange with this service in advance and you'll be all set-it was a nice van with AC and a good driver(his name was Osmond) Good luck!<BR><BR>Cambell's Chartered Taxi<BR>email: [email protected]<BR>876-776-1179<BR>

Thanks for all the help - i think we'll hire a driver!! And hey - we wont have to worry about how much Rum and white stripe we drink!<BR><BR>Thanks Again<BR><BR>Laney

We have just returned home to Ireland after a wonderful 2 weeks in Negril.<BR>Hired a small Suzuki jeep from JusJeeps in Negril - cost $50 US per day and was worth it for the ease of moving around, Roads are bad and drivers are worse! However I had no problem - just take it easy. The coast road from Mo Bay to Negril is in a dreadful state - it is being "repaired" for a long time and roadworks there are different to here! The road over the mountains via Sav La Mar is much better and more picturesque. Whether you rent or not you will have a wonderful time - we really miss the place.

If you stick to the coast road and explore from Ochie EAST to Port Antonio,you should have little problems <BR>with road or drivers during the day. Nightime driving on island is difficult,at best.<BR>And taking backroads is far more dicey. If you're intrepid and like the flexibility and freedom of going where and when you want (since you're no stranger to roundabouts and left-hand driving ),go ahead and rent a car. CHECK IT OUT ,esp.the tyres,before you drive it off. SUNBIRD RENTALS at your arrival airport at MoBay (contact CAROL at [email protected] as well as ISLAND RENTALS,same place, are good. Plus,they<BR>can also deliver the car to you at your hotel or villa if you don't feel like driving after the flight. It's two hours to Ochi from MoBay. Pricing should run about US$375/week including collision damage waiver,insurance,taxes--everything but gas--for a 4 door Elantra or Toyota with a/c. Gas is sold by Imperial Liter like UK. (tho the Queen's latest visit is causing a political to-do since she's official Queen of Jamaica, an independent nation.<BR>For a quirky view, check out Michael Toth's paintings at HARMONY HALL, just outside Ochie. You'll want to spend as much time as possible OUTSIDE Ochie,which is a resort/cruiseship town.

We drove in Ireland(rural) and Jamaica recently.<BR>About the same.