Jamaica questions
Jan 21st, 2002, 06:28 AM
#1
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Jamaica questions
We were looking for a warm place to go in March that's not too far to fly and I think we've settled on Jamaica. I'm trying to decide between Montego Bay and Negril, for a short vacation (4 days) Montego Bay look more convenient. Can anyone give me the pro/cons of one over the other? We are looking to go snorkel, water sports, maybe a day trip to go horseback riding. Are the beaches better over near Negril? We are not looking for casinos or nightlife, just a place to relax.<BR><BR>My husband is also looking to do a day trip into Cuba, can you do this from Montego Bay and still keep legal? My understanding is that it is legal to go but illegal to spend money. I assume if the tour company is paying for your meals and extra costs while you are there that technically still keeps us legal.<BR><BR>Thanks for any advice!
Jan 21st, 2002, 06:46 AM
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If you are going for 4 days and 3 nights, youn probably would not want the 2 hour drive to Negril. You could fly via Air Jamaica Express or TimiAir, but you may spend most of your vacation time traveling. What resorts are you considering in MoBay and Negril? Yes, you can go from MoBay to Cuba very easily. I'm not sure if it is considered legal for a US citizen to visit Cuba. We have been to Jamaica 16 times, just ask your questions.
Jan 21st, 2002, 06:57 AM
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Thanks for the speedy response John! I'm just starting my research on Jamaica as I thought we were going to Aruba which is just too far for a 4 night vacation from Chicago.<BR><BR>I believe we're looking for a resort that's all-inclusive, has water sports available, that's geared more toward married couples. We're in our late 30s, no kids. We like to be active when vacationing-snorkeling, horseback riding, etc. We rarely spend time at the pool or in the room so those factors are not as important. Do you know anything about the Sandals Inn in Montego Bay? Apple only gives it 3 apples but it looks like it has everything I want but I wonder about the quality of the food. It comes with full exchange privileges with Sandals Montego Bay and Royal Caribbean.<BR><BR>How are the beaches in Montego Bay compared with Negril? Is snorkeling good from Montego Bay?
Jan 21st, 2002, 07:38 AM
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Hi Kris, 15 of our trips have been Sandals MoBay, once to Sandals Royal, never stayed at Sandals Inn. We have at dinner at the Inn many times, most recently 1/4/02. Excellent food. The Inn is very small, beach across the street and not as private as MoBay or the Royal. It was closing the end of that week to complete renovations. Unless you are on a budget, I would pass on the Inn and go to MoBay. We have used the exchange privileges between all 3 Sandals resorts in MoBay. Also Negri, Dunns River and Ocho Rios on day trips. We perfer MoBay because we are usually on the beach within 1/2 hour after landing. In fact heading back in 25 days. If you email me directly, I can provide a site that you can view some recent photos and also a company that is very aggressive in price. John
Jan 21st, 2002, 08:02 AM
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Kris,<BR><BR>My husband and I are also planning a short trip to Jamaica (4 nights, 5 days). Even though many people have told us we HAVE to see Negril ... we have opted for staying near MoBay because of it's convenience to the airport. Many people have told us that it is a somewhat treacherous 2hr ride on bad roads to get to Negril from the airport. If we were going for a week, I don't think I would have a problem with it ... but we too would like to be on the beach soon after our flight lands.<BR><BR>We have decided to stay at the Half Moon Golf Tennis and Beach Club, which I think looks very "Jamaican" and offers tons of things to do. While some people say that MoBay is too much of a "city" ... Half Moon Bay is just far enough away to still be beautiful. You can see for yourself on their website at http://www.halfmoon-resort.com/<BR><BR>Hope this helps.
Jan 21st, 2002, 08:04 AM
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Yep, Negril has the better beach. It's 7 miles long, public, with many small hotels and bars and restaurants along it. Nice to walk from place to place. It's clear, calm and very shallow. Negril also has cliffs and there are some amazing hotels with villas perched on the edge, usually with private sundecks and steps/ladders to the water. Good snorkeling right there.<BR><BR>MoBay has some nice beaches (Doctor's Cave, Cornwall) but only a couple are public, the rest are "owned" by all-inclusive hotels. That may work for you but there is no "walking the beach" as there is in Negril, most hotels fence off their sections or there are natural barriers, rocky areas, etc.<BR><BR>In MoBay proper the water is calm and clear - that includes Sandals MoBay (had a nice beach when we were there about 15 years ago), but some north shore resorts have rocks, or waves and wind.<BR><BR>The ride to Negril is about 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours with refreshment stops. If you have a private driver you can go the "back way", which is NOT under construction as the coast road is. It goes along the coast a short way then passes over mountains and through small villages and sugarcane fields, then along the south coast where you see coast again, and into Negril via Sav la Mar. Incredible scenery, I personally look forward to the ride every time.<BR><BR>You can fly for about $60 per person each way if you want to save time.<BR><BR>No casinos in Jamaica at all though MoBay has a video-poker casino-like setup at Coral Cliffs hotel.<BR><BR>Cuba trips go from MoBay.<BR><BR
Liz
Liz
Jan 21st, 2002, 10:44 AM
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Thanks for all the input so far! Does anyone have any input on the Wyndham or Breezes? They are coming back a little cheaper than Sandals Montego Bay. I've decided against Sandals Inn based on the fact that you have to go to the other Sandals for the nicer beach.
Jan 21st, 2002, 11:03 AM
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Pay the extra and stay at Sandals MoBay if at all possible. The other 2 are not as nice.<BR>I would choose Wyndham over Breezes, because I have had bad reports on that Breezes. If you can get Breezes Runaway for a similar price, it is very nice.<BR>Sandals MoBay has the Nicest Beach in Montego Bay.<BR>
Jan 21st, 2002, 11:11 AM
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Breezes MoBay is directly on Doctor's Cave Beach, which is the best beach in the MoBay area. But that also means Breezes is right in the city.<BR><BR>Wyndham is about 11 miles east of there - much more rural, pleasant environment - but the beach (and esp. the swimming conditions) isn't as good.<BR><BR>Last I knew, Breezes was strictly all-inclusive and Wyndham lets you go either way (but there aren't many other places to eat out by the Wyndham).<BR><BR>If you play golf, that would be a good reason to pick the Wyndham - course is adjacent. Wyndham also has tennis courts.<BR><BR><BR><BR>
Jan 21st, 2002, 11:33 AM
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Wyndham has lots of families too, they have a waterpark thing for kids. Breezes doesn't take kids, I don't think.<BR><BR>The upside of Breezes being in the city is that you can easily explore on foot - lots of clubs and restaurants and shoping in that area. Breezes is smaller than Sandals and shares its beach with anyone who pays the few $ to get into Doctor's Cave - good or bad depending how you see it but definitely a nice beach (though a busy one).<BR><BR Liz
Liz
Jan 22nd, 2002, 03:15 AM
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Kris: I think Jamaica is a good choice for a 4 day vacation from Chicago. Using Montego Bay as a base will give you more vacation time, and less travel time than staying in Negril. If you decide to take the day trip to Cuba, you'll also be near the airport--again, less travel time.<BR> You may read reviews of hotels in this area at http://jamaica.wheretostay.com/<BR> To save time you may want to check Air Jamaica's flights/packages from Chicago. They depart at 6:15, and land at 11:15, nonstop.<BR> The current AJ promotions for Chicago can be found at: http://www.airjamaicavacations.com/sum/ord.html<BR> hope you enjoy your vacation;<BR>Stephen Schulz<BR><BR> <BR>
