jr77

We have narrowed it down to 3 choices, Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios. We are pretty much set on choosing an all inclusive resort, just for the ease of it. But we need help figuring out which place is best, I here that there is more to do around montego bay/negril area, and the ocho rios is kinda a cruise destination so very crowded and I also heard that the beach is not the greatest in the world. Any help on choosing a destination would be great.

Also, any suggestions on all inclusives in any of the areas that are nice in the 200 a night or less range, please let me know as well.

We are also looking for some suggestions on possible excursions to try, we will be there in the middle of July, and are huge on history, nature, adventure, and culture. Any suggestions would be great, we have been reading a lot about some of the waterfalls, caves, and rainforest areas, any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited, we have also thought about maybe a rafting trip and a zip line tour? Also, we would be interested in any possible towns we could visit that really show you the real jamaica, not just the tourist area, and also any historical sights, i know I have seen a lot about plantation houses, are there any forts there, historical lighthouses as well? Any beaches or nice quite secluded get aways would be great as well.

If anyone could suggest any excursion companies, that would be great as well, I have heard that most of the all inclusives have places that offer excursions right on sight, but always leary weather these places are reputable or not. Also, any suggestions on how to get from the airport to the AI resorts that are affordable, safe and reliable? And final question, any suggested sites to visit for more info about Jamaica, its attractions, and what to expect while there, I have been visiting a hodge podge of sites so far, most have not been that good, the most I have found so far are on Frommers and Fodors.

Thanks for all the help, sorry for the horribly formatted post, poor use of english, and the sheer amount of questions.

fishee

The food in Negril is very good - are you sure about the AI? Three Dives lobster and goat curries, Sips and Bites, roadside jerk chicken. Places we stayed at included very good breakfast brought to our veranda. We really preferred the cliffs area to the beach in Negril. No beach but the steps are carved into the rocks and you have direct water access. We didn't miss the beach at all, esp when we went down to visit and it was a bit of madhouse. Low season rates pretty reasonable here...

http://www.catchajamaica.com/thesagittarius.htm

http://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php

We did an informal drive where we went to couple of fishing villages south of Negril and we were the only tourists there. Honestly, our driver looked uncomfortable at times but i think he's not used to the smell of fish (we were talking with these women who were gutting conch at the open fish market). It was a very cool experience although a little hard to communicate as the patois was very heavy.

Didn't do alot of activities besides boating so can't help you there. We laid around alot in our hammocks, swam, ate, repeat -- it was great... Congratulations!

doug_stallings

Negril has the best beaches by far. Perhaps you'd like splitting up your trip among two different kinds of resorts. You could, for example, stay at The Caves, which is NOT on the beach (but a very exclusive and upscale AI) and then move to Idle Awhile, a small boutique hotel on the beach. While it's not an AI, you will get to sample some of the great restaurants in Negril and use the sports facilities at Couples Swept Away, including the spa (though you have to pay for treatments). This would allow you to have the best of both worlds.

I understand your hesitation to visit Ocho Rios, but if you want to be active outside the resort, that area does offer a lot, including many different kinds of activities with Chukka Caribbean (ATV tours, horseback riding, etc.), as well as Dunn's River Falls. There are some very nice AI resorts there, but nothing as spectacular as Negril Beach.

MoBay has some good beaches, but I would probably opt for Round Hill (which does offer a meal plan even though it's a small exclusive resort) or Half Moon (much larger, with a nicer beach and maybe a meal plan, but I'm not sure). There are some nice plantation houses around MoBay, but unless you want the Sandals experience, I don't think the AIs there measure up.

It's a trade-off wherever you go, but I'm not sure the AI experience is always the best in Jamaica except at the low to mid-range (and it's never the best idea in Negril). And depending on how much you drink, the AI doesn't always offer the best value, especially if you want a true luxury experience.

doug_stallings

By the way, if you want to see the "real" Jamaica, then go to Port Antonio or the South Coast (try Jake's on the South Coast or Hotel Mockingbird Hill in Port Antonio). Or split your stay between Strawberry Hill (for luxury in the Blue Mountains) and Jake's (for some beach time).

jr77

Thank you all for your help so far, it is sounding more and more like we will most likely stay in the negril or montego bay area, we usually don't want to be around the huge crowds, and as far as experiences, we are looking for unique things, and not just the normal tourist experiences, in mexico we climbed temples, and in gatlinburg tennessee we climbed mountains, and saw waterfalls. Those are the kind of adventuers we love to do.

doug_stallings

Just to be clear, though, there are huge crowds in both MoBay and Negril, especially MoBay. How easy it is to get away from it all depends entirely on where you stay. If you choose a large AI resort, then you're going to be with the crowds regardless of where you are on the island. There are plenty of off-the-beaten-path adventures in Jamaica, but most of those are more easily reached from Ocho Rios or the other parts of the island I mentioned to you, so I think you have some deciding to do.

suze

I also would try to talk you into going non-AI and staying in Negril. Look at Tensing Pen (private bungalows) or others mentioned above by fishee. To me that would be a LOT more romantic & honeymoon-worthy than a huge all inclusive resort with a ton of people around all the time.

dbledewars

look at couples negril, small A.I. not crowded, great food and drinks, wonderful beach.

BeachmeetsWest

I love Montego Bay. And by the sound of you - you would love Port Antonio - but for this trip/at your price- I'd agree that Negril seems like a good fit -- either Rockhouse or Tensing Pen -- (and this is wierd because I rarely suggest Negril (only because I favor Montego Bay and PA).

Another option though is to fly into Montego Bay and stay/splurge for 2 nights either at the beginning or end of trip at Round Hill Resort and then spend the rest of the time in Negril.....?

As for excursions? I know what you're talking about I think - can relate -- totally recommend the zipline up in Lethe in hills above Montego Bay - and you can do Rockland's Bird Sanctuary the same time as it's minutes away -- feeding the hummingbird's is really pretty cool and they also take you on this short interesting nature walk around the property.

My only other - but best recommendation for you is to call the driver that we use when we go to Jamaica -- his name is Levan Wolcott -- he's a JUTA driver -- reliable/honest prices - he'll pick you up from airport - take you into Montego Bay or Negril -- cold drinks in his van -- and if you want to arrange with him to take you on a day tour - he'll take you to zipline -- up into the hills -- just tell him you don't want to do the "tourist" thing -- he's taken us to some awesome restaurants/places to eat -- anyway - his phone # is 876/506-5531 or 876-573-2256

kfusto

We are beach people so prefer Negril for the excellent beaches, swimming, funky vibe of the area and also the option to go from cliffs to beach with a short taxi ride.

If the $200 per night is for two people, your options will be limited to the budget AI resort. Grand Pineapple in Negril is on a nice beach and gets solid reviews. It is actually owned by the parent company of Sandals. If you do not mind basic rooms and all buffet meals, it can be a real bargain.

You might score a deal at Breezes Negril. We stayed there in March for 220 a night for two of us and for the price, it was a very good deal.

IMO, Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away are both excellent resorts and would be ideal for a honeymoon but you will not get them for 200 per night, closer to 325 or so.

You might also find deals at Breezes Runaway Bay, a resort with a nice beach and basic but comfortable rooms. Worth a look..

kerij

My husband and I were married at Couples Negril last May. We were both pretty disappointed in the resort and with Jamaica overall. Sure, the beach is gorgeous and we have beautiful wedding photos, but I found that all of the hype about the resort that was posted on message boards was very overrated.

Weadles

kerij,

Did you stay at Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away Negril? And what exactly disappointed you?

kfusto

We are just back from Couples Negril and my 31st trip to Jamaica. It was exactly as expected and we had a very nice trip but next time we will return to Swept Away if we go AI. We missed the large balconies, the sports complex and the evening entertainment.

If someone is disappointed in Jamaica, IME it is usually because they have been to the AIs in Mexico which are much more commercialized and Americanized and heavy on the glitz factor. We don't go on beach vacations for fancy lobbies and a choice of 6 restaurants that have nothing to do with the foods of the island we are visiting but some do.

Jamaica is one of my favorite Caribbean islands and has been since my first trip there in the mid 70s.

spook

touche kfusto!