Well, two days and we leave for Negril! It's our first time to Jamaica and we'd like to get away from the hotel a bit and check out Negril (thinking of sunset cruise and horseback riding). I've left emails for two tour operators - but have heard nothing back! Will it be safe, cost friendly if I arrange the excursions through the hotel or from the guys hanging out offering trips at the hotel? Thanks for any advice you can give - Catherine

Almost every hotel has a tour desk where you can book excursions, and I'd trust the operators. You'll find that the prices don't vary so much. The best horseback riding experience is near MoBay at Chukka Blue, but it's not cheap. I'm not sure if there's any good stable in Negril itself. Chukka Blue does have some good offerings, including ATV and mountain bike tours. You could go to YS Falls, which is somewhat like Dunn's River Falls. You could do rafting on the Black River.

From Negril, I would highly recommend taking the 75 minute trip to Mayfield Falls. Not only will you pass through towns, you will see so much of the interior of the beautiful Jamaica. Very scenic. The falls are a lot of fun.

Talk of the Town Tours in Negril and Barrett Adventures are the pro tour guides to see -- not the hotel tour desks. Mayfields Falls, Pelican Bar/Black River, horseback riding at Paradise Park, about 30 min.from Negril are some good options.

Chukka Cove offers horseback riding and canopy tours -- but it's too far from
Negril by 2.5 hours drive. No tubing
on the Black River -- do a private boat rather than the pontoon boats -- upriver. Tubing,about US$10/hour is offered at YS Falls, about 30 min. from
Black River.