I just booked our trip to Negril!
Feb 20th, 2008, 08:23 AM
#1
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I just booked our trip to Negril!
We're absolutely psyched! We've never been to Jamaica before, but the logistics were just perfect... a non-stop flight from our local airport (BWI) arriving at 11:00 a.m. and leaving to come home at 5:00 p.m. at the end of our week. It'll be the middle of May, with the first 3 nights at Rockhouse and the last 4 at Coco La Palm (Idle Awhile was fully booked!). Since it's been a while since our last vacation, we're splurging on rooms -- a premium villa at RH and the Honeymoon Suite(!!!) at CLP.
Now we need to fill in details. I've been reading through various posts, and there's information galore, but I'd still appreciate hearing about your fairly-recent experiences with any of the following: airport transfers; the best snorkeling sites along the shore and/or boat trip operators; cheap-but-great restaurants and food stands; day-trip tours or drivers to the countryside; reggae music nightspots along the beach where a couple of mid-50s types wouldn't feel out of place.
Thanks!
Now we need to fill in details. I've been reading through various posts, and there's information galore, but I'd still appreciate hearing about your fairly-recent experiences with any of the following: airport transfers; the best snorkeling sites along the shore and/or boat trip operators; cheap-but-great restaurants and food stands; day-trip tours or drivers to the countryside; reggae music nightspots along the beach where a couple of mid-50s types wouldn't feel out of place.
Thanks!
Feb 20th, 2008, 11:29 AM
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Congrats! You're going to love Negril. I went for the first time last year. I stayed at Idle Awhile, but CCLP is right next door. I think Idle Awhile is a more elegant looking property (sort of shabby chic), but CCLP has the same great beach and the restaurant was superior to Idle Awhile's in my opinion. I also thought the staff at CCLP was really friendly! We ate breakfast there almost every morning.
For food you'll definitely want to make sure you watch for the patty man - he walks his bike along the beach with fresh hot patties around noon. They are amazing! If you're like me you'll get addicted at your first bite and start to stalk the beach looking for the patty man around noon. Also, right across the street is Best in the West - great jerk chicken.
Honestly, the only thing we did during our week in Negril was relax (we split our time between Idle Awhile and The Caves), but we plan on being a bit more active and adventurous for our next trip. I think a trip up to the cliffs for a meal would be worth your time - have some drinks and watch the sunset. Rick's is famous, but we never made it and it seems to get mixed reviews here. Some think it's over rated/touristy, etc. and others seems to think it's a good time. We could hear it at night from The Caves it and it always sounded like a good time.
We used Talk of the Town for our airport transfer. They are highly recommended on this forum. Our driver Barry was nice (not very chatty) but he forgot to pick us up for our return flight
The Caves staff was awesome and arranged last minute transport for us. I still think TOTT is a reputable company though. Sienna refunded all of my money and they were all very apologetic. Barry even emailed me when I got back. It was just simple human error.
That's about all I can think of right now. Enjoy your trip!
For food you'll definitely want to make sure you watch for the patty man - he walks his bike along the beach with fresh hot patties around noon. They are amazing! If you're like me you'll get addicted at your first bite and start to stalk the beach looking for the patty man around noon. Also, right across the street is Best in the West - great jerk chicken.
Honestly, the only thing we did during our week in Negril was relax (we split our time between Idle Awhile and The Caves), but we plan on being a bit more active and adventurous for our next trip. I think a trip up to the cliffs for a meal would be worth your time - have some drinks and watch the sunset. Rick's is famous, but we never made it and it seems to get mixed reviews here. Some think it's over rated/touristy, etc. and others seems to think it's a good time. We could hear it at night from The Caves it and it always sounded like a good time.
We used Talk of the Town for our airport transfer. They are highly recommended on this forum. Our driver Barry was nice (not very chatty) but he forgot to pick us up for our return flight
The Caves staff was awesome and arranged last minute transport for us. I still think TOTT is a reputable company though. Sienna refunded all of my money and they were all very apologetic. Barry even emailed me when I got back. It was just simple human error.That's about all I can think of right now. Enjoy your trip!
Feb 21st, 2008, 03:58 AM
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I agree with the above and would add dinner at 3 Dives on The Cliffs. Very good lobster and jerk chicken. I ditto the Patty Man advice. Those things are hot, delicious and cheap. Oh, and spicy, yum!
Feb 21st, 2008, 05:49 AM
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We just booked our annual trip to Coco La Palm, as well. We'll miss you by a month, but enjoy your stay! It'll be a trip of a lifetime....you never forget your first trip to Negril! We use Errol Cox for our airport transfers. We have used him for over six years, he is very reliable. Let me know if you'd like his contact info.
Feb 21st, 2008, 06:37 AM
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We're headed back to Negril this December (staying at Country Country) for what will be our third visit to Negril (5th to Jamaica overall).
A couple of things we really enjoyed were a trip to Mayfield Falls (I've heard YS Falls is equally beautiful and we will be visiting it this year) and a zipline canopy tour (we used Chukka Blue Adventure Tours). It's also an adrenaline rush to try cliff jumping from either Ricks or Pirate's Cave.
A couple of things we really enjoyed were a trip to Mayfield Falls (I've heard YS Falls is equally beautiful and we will be visiting it this year) and a zipline canopy tour (we used Chukka Blue Adventure Tours). It's also an adrenaline rush to try cliff jumping from either Ricks or Pirate's Cave.
Feb 24th, 2008, 04:55 AM
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Feb 28th, 2008, 05:30 AM
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We just returned last Sunday from our 4th trip to Negril. We have used Talk of the Town for our airport transfers each time and recommend them. They forgot to pick us up once (on the way home), but we called and they had someone get us within 20 minutes.
I agree that you have to get patty's from the Patty man on the beach. This was our first year trying them and I regret never having them before. They are very good and inexpensive.
We also tried Selina's (across the street from Merril's and the Yellow Bird)for breakfast. Fabulous banana pancakes and very inexpensive. We usually go to 3 Dives up on the cliffs, as mentioned by a previous poster, but their service can be very slow. This year we went to Bourbon Beach for Jerk Chicken and it was VERY good and spicy. Also inexpensive.
Enjoy your trip!
I agree that you have to get patty's from the Patty man on the beach. This was our first year trying them and I regret never having them before. They are very good and inexpensive.
We also tried Selina's (across the street from Merril's and the Yellow Bird)for breakfast. Fabulous banana pancakes and very inexpensive. We usually go to 3 Dives up on the cliffs, as mentioned by a previous poster, but their service can be very slow. This year we went to Bourbon Beach for Jerk Chicken and it was VERY good and spicy. Also inexpensive.
Enjoy your trip!
Feb 28th, 2008, 04:48 PM
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Suzski,
Talk of the Town charges $65 one way. They just had to raise prices this year, I am sure due to gas prices. Also, they have no problem stopping on the way. We always go to the ATM and grocery store to pick up a few things.
We have done some research in the price and they are pretty competitive.
Enyoy!
Talk of the Town charges $65 one way. They just had to raise prices this year, I am sure due to gas prices. Also, they have no problem stopping on the way. We always go to the ATM and grocery store to pick up a few things.
We have done some research in the price and they are pretty competitive.
Enyoy!
Feb 29th, 2008, 05:49 PM
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Suzski and Micjor,
The $65 was for a private car/van for 2 people. I don't know if (or what) they would charge for more people. From our experience, there is not a discount for roundtrip, because you can have a different driver each way. Also, they will give you a cell phone to use while in Jamaica. If you want to use it more than a couple of minutes, you will need to get a prepaid card.
Let me know if you have more questions! We love Negril!
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The $65 was for a private car/van for 2 people. I don't know if (or what) they would charge for more people. From our experience, there is not a discount for roundtrip, because you can have a different driver each way. Also, they will give you a cell phone to use while in Jamaica. If you want to use it more than a couple of minutes, you will need to get a prepaid card.
Let me know if you have more questions! We love Negril!
Tweeter
