CaribbeanSoul

Tiver: I understand. Thanks for the clarification and on the same note, unfortunate.

We are actually venturing from our normal comforts of Negril and are renting a villa at Silver Seas next May for two weeks. As our trip draws near, I hope to get some information as it pertains to Duncans and Trelawny, specifically, as this is an entirely new part of the island to me

eschach

Hi everyone,

I've been offline for awhile and was pleased to come back and see all the new advice. Thank you. We are now thinking of staying at Negril, since it sounds like the beaches are the best there and MoBay sounds like more of a party town than we like. Look forward to the trip report from caribtraveler!

I have a few remaining questions: how bad are the vendors at Negril? do they mostly stick to to the all inclusives? are there mosquitoes in February? and is there a town of some sort where you can wander around in the Negril area?

JAGIRL

caribtraveler's report is at:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34850389

eschach

Thank you JAGIRL and caribtraveler for the detailed travel report. Still trying to make my mind up about Jamaica. Went to a ethnic festival last night and listened to reggae music which got me all excited again about going there. Certainly have a lot of information now. Appreciate everyone's help.

ltilson

The town of Negril is not much to see...I have only been there to buy groceries. I have visited many times Dec to March and mosquitos have never been a problem for me as long as I avoid the beach at sunset or use some spray. And I am a mosquito magnet. The vendors will approach you but I have never found them to be overly aggressive....a "no thanks" or "I am drug tested at work" usually does the trick. I actually find those guys pretty entertaining. Believe me, they will recogize you in a couple of days and figure out if you are interested or not. I love Negril and have been going there since the 80's and have never had a negative experience. It is not Shangri-La, nor is any island. One must keep their wits about them wherever they travel but it would be a shame to miss the experience of Jamaica and all it has to offer because of fears of being robbed. I have been up and down the beach at all hours of the day and night (in all states of altered consciousness) and can honestly say that I have never felt threatened or harrassed. Just use your common sense and you will have a wonderful time......Lori

alya

We are trying to decide where to go for our 25th anniversay next June and I have to say that we are tossing the coin between Jamaicia and Nevis.

We have visited them both and loved them both.

I do like the response "I'm drug tested at work" but we did find a simple "no thank you" worked and we found that we were recognized and were only asked once. The next time we passed we were greeted or we greeted them with a simple "evening' and were not pushed to buy.

They are trying to make a living and believe it or not (and there are posts on Fodors) there are people who go to Jamaica for the ganja.

You can't blame them for trying

spook

South Coast (Treasure Beach) and Negril would be in my opinion the best choice for first timers such as yourself. We did Port Antonio and Treasure Beach last year after two only Negril trips and loved it. The only problem with Port Antonio is getting there. We enjoyed the drive from TB to Portie (through Mandeville, Kingston and through the middle to Annotto Bay but it's a long haul (7 - 8 hours) and while a great adventure, it's one I'd rather do less than more. Negril and TB would give you a great taste of the best of Jamaica. Real Jamaica as in TB and the best of the three mas tourism spots, Negril. As for crime, We in our three trips have never felt threatened or unsafe. In fact on our third trip we brought our children and an two other couples with their kids. Enjoy!!

bennett_m

What would you recommended for accomodations in Negril...the cliffs or beach?

waring

"Earlier this year a couple was jumped and robbed at gunpoint at their villa on St. John, considered one of the "safest" islands in the Caribbean.

There have been recent situations and events of similar statute that have occurred on Anguilla, St. Barths and Turks & Caicos...all considered "safe".

St Barts? No-one has ever been jumped at gunpoint on St Barts, or even mugged. What on earth are you talking about? The biggest law and order issue on St Barts is enforcing helmet and seatbelt laws.

St John safe? I know 2 American families that have moved from St John to St Barts to get away from violence and crime.

My appartment has not been locked, nor the keys taken out of the ignition of my car for three years.

Tuxedocat

This tired old topic again! I can't wait to go to Jamaica. I'm currently stuck on another island for reasons some of the posters here are familiar with, but if I could pick another island to go to next it would be Jamaica. Crime is absolutely everywhere where there is a lot of people trying to scrape out a living. There's always bad apples around. If you go to most places in the U.S. you stand a chance of being a victim of crime. But if you take common-sense precautions and/or simply stick to a more "resort" like experience, Jamaica offers as much Caribbean enjoyment as anywhere else. Also, in reviewing the "high crime rate" of any place, IMO, it is more realistic to see who the victims are. Living in a city, we have a higher crime rate than the suburbs, and the majority of the crimes are in the lower income areas, not in the posh downtown or on "governor's row." Visitors/tourists are victimized sometimes, anywhere. It's good to research a place thoroughly before you go so you are more prepared, but unless it's a widespread epidemic, you should review crime statistics in perspective. Knowledge is the best precaution. It's nice that St. Barth's is so bucolic. I was raised in Iowa in the middle of a cornfield so I know what it's like to be in a peaceful, low-risk place, but Iowa doesn't have reggae. Iowa doesn't have a rich, complex history and an amalgram of culture taking from Asia, Europe and Africa. By the way, the educated people in Jamaica have a far better command of English than you or I. Iowa doesn't have gorgeous beaches, diverse geography and warm crystalline waters. And Iowa doesn't have jerk chicken. Have a wonderful time for a couple of weeks (lucky dogs) in Jamaica for all these reasons and more. Just don't check your brains in with the rest of the luggage, and you'll be fine.

waring

"It's nice that St. Barth's is so bucolic. I was raised in Iowa in the middle of a cornfield so I know what it's like to be in a peaceful, low-risk place, but Iowa doesn't have reggae. Iowa doesn't have a rich, complex history and an amalgram of culture taking from Asia, Europe and Africa."

This is the point. St Barts is bucolic and also has reggae (and zouk and samba,)a a rich, complex history and an amalgram of cultures taking from Asia, Europe and Africa.

It has also zero, and I mean zero, violence.

If you want foie gras and champagne, you can have that, if you want fried chicken, rice and beans, you can have that too.

MarionCK

St Barth's is often described here as the "French Riviera" in the Caribbean.

Whenever I read that I always think, why not go for authenticity and go to France.

"Bucolic", it may be...but I doubt that it is without the crime risk that exists everywhere in the world.

Unless perhaps they have a few people transplanted from Stepford;-) But I digress, as always

Whether one was raised in Iowa or NYC, I agree with Tuxedo. Don't check your brains with your luggage. Hopefully neither will be lost and happy, safe vacations will happen for all of us

Marion

waring

"St Barth's is often described here as the "French Riviera" in the Caribbean.
Whenever I read that I always think, why not go for authenticity and go to France."

Firstly it isn't the French Riviera in the Caribbean, it's a blend of French and Caribbean. Secondly that's a bit like saying "I thought I would go to Hawaii, but went for the American authenticity of Los Angeles instead"

MarionCK

You seem so fond of directly quoting the responses of others in a rather challenging manner...interesting.

"It has also zero, and I mean zero, violence"

How could you possibly know that ? Do you think every crime is reported ?

Do you depend on local print media for your statement ? Or do you have factual information to support your statement ?

I'm sure that St Barth's has many charms and lovely people....but to state that it is violence free is either naiive or having one's head buried in that beautiful sand.

Marion

waring

Sorry, I don't mean to be aggressive.

It is a very small island, and everyone get's to hear about pretty much everything. It is a village, with all the village gossip and chatter.

If a laptop is pilfered from a villa, the whole island will know about it.

On top of that the Gendarmes publish a weekly report of their activities.

100% honesty on violence. Odd brawl in a nightclub between locals, unreported domestic violence who knows? Funny story about a guy pushing his wife's car into the port. Guy A blacks guy B's eye for kissing his wife..Pushing and shoving after a car shunt...

I have heard talk of a murder years back, wife kill's husband or vice versa. Never heard of a shooting, or in fact any crime involving weapons or assault against a person.

Petty theft is as bad as it gets, generally local kids, and I mean children.

Children hitch-hike, while there probably are drugs, they are not visible and there are no gangs fighting for trade. No guns, no racial tensions and I have never even heard rumours of a mugging.

It is unbelievable, which is why you don't believe me. You can go anywhere on St Barts any time, night or day with zero fear for your safety.

Tuxedocat

eschach: IMO, you should go wherever you think you are going to be most comfortable. I think you've gotten some excellent advice/information regarding Jamaica and its possible risks as a vacation destination. I hope all of the positives continue to outweigh the negatives. It troubles me when posters, instead of answering your questions regarding a particular place, dismiss your considerations and extol the virtues of their own particular favorite place. I too want to know what to expect regarding Jamaica, which I hope I'm lucky enough to get to soon.

BRIGHTONGIRL

HI THERE, NEW TO THIS SITE AND ABOUT TO GO TO JAMAICA FOR THE FIRST TIME AT EASTER FROM UK. REASSURED BY DISCCUSSION RE CRIME AS HAVE BOOKED SMALL PLACES TO STAY. A WEEK AT TIME N PLACE (NEAR FALMOUTH) AND 2 WEEKS IN TREASURE BEACH. TAKING 2 KIDS, 2 AND 7 YEARS OLD, AND 2 AGING PARENTS IN THEIR 60'S. FEEL SURE THAT TREASURE BEACH WILL BE PERFECT FOR US BUT HAVENT HEARD ANY REVIEWS OF TIME N PLACE OR SURROUNDING AREA. ANYBODY BEEN THERE?

liza

I know many people who have stayed at Time N Place and really love it...it is on a nearly deserted beach, great for walking, and the cottages are quite rustic - it's my kind of place, perhaps not everyone's.

I love TB also, both are good choices for a family, I'd say.

tivertonhouse

I second Liz's comments -- all of them.
You'll be hard pressed to find as good a beach as at Time n Place. And a real
friendly vibe. The cottages are rustic,
low-key and stand apart from the usual
tourist places. You might enjoy a trip to the Wednesday morning market in
Falmouth, which is being restored to its 19th cen.Georgian glory in conjunction with Colonial Williamsburg.
Do a google search for historic Falmouth -- there's a good site.
www.treasurebeach.net is the be-all
and end-all of things happening
on the South Coast/where, if your
folks listen closely, they might hear
traces of Yorkshire brogue in the
voices of some of the local elders.

liza

Some pictures my friends took at Time n Place last April, lots of shots od the beach and their cottage:

http://gallery.hookahheads.com/galle...412/?g2_page=6