Negril ???s
 

We are leaving in 10 days for our trip to Negril. We are staying at the Rockhouse, and we can't wait.
A couple of last minute questions. First, is a pair of linen slacks and nice shirt sufficient for my husband for most of the restaurants? Any restaurant recommendations? We plan on at least one dinner at the Rockhouse, and one dinner at 3 Dives, but are open to other suggestions.
Finally, I'm still a bit confused about the need to use Jamaican currency. I found the great conversion cheat sheet, and will take that, but I am getting the impression that you can use either US or Jamaican dollars. Is that correct?
Thanks for you help in planning. I promise a trip report upon our return!
Kym

Dining in Negril is casual;those clothing choices for your husband are just fine. Besides the very casual and great bargain of 3 Dives for dinner and Cosmo's for lunch, try NORMA'S as well for dinner for a more innovative take on island cooking. US/JA dollars are equally fine -- tho your change will always be in Jamaican. Bring a small cache of US$1s,5s,10s -- nothing higher than a 20 --and/or traveller's cheques. There are also ATMs everywhere in Negril...

I'm so jealous. We stayed at The Rockhouse last year and had a fantastic time. Your clothing choices sound fine for any of the area restaurants. Also, there is a woman who seels meat patties just across the road in a little market area. They were our daily happy hour nibble. Have a great trip!

Once upon a time Jamaica "required" converting USD to Jamaican dollars - they were trying to keep US currency out of circulation. However it didn't really work, so it isn't required anymore. Absolutely take lots of small bills - nobody ever has change, or what change you get may be Jamaican. Also your credit cards work fine.

I recently saw that Rick's Cafe in Negril was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan - what a shame. Was a traditional place to watch the sunset.

Thanks everyone! As always, I appreciate the help. Tiverton, you are an amazing resource for those of us planning trips.

Also, I have to report that Solomon has already won me over with just one email. I am so happy he is available to do our transfer to and from Montego Bay.

Best wishes for the New Year!
Kym

Ask Solomon about some half/full day trips OUTSIDE Negril as well, perhaps to Mayfields Falls, The Blue Hole Gardens/Roaring River area....happy trampoosing!

Do you mind sharing contact info for Solomon? We just booked our trip today to Negril and we are looking for Airport tranfers. We are splitting our stay between the Rockhouse and Idle Awhile due to availability. Thanks! KDR - Have fun on your trip!

Here is soloman's info...he's a real sweetheart!

Soloman ([email protected] (876)826 8085 and (876) 955 7906 home) http://www.geocities.com/talkofthetowntours/

Hi! Don't bother with the slacks....you'll understand once you get there. Even the nicer places such as Normas or the Rockhouse, dress shorts are fine. 3 Dives is know for their jerk menu....dining is on picnic tables....the view is superb. Try Gino's on the beach or Kuyaba, also on the beach. Chicken Lavish is a good bet on the West End (cliffs). Xtabi is a great alternative to the Rockhouse known for their grilled lobster. Take a lot of small bills for tips. If you are going to spend a lot of time off the resort, definitely change your money at one of the many cambios....your best bet being the one at the Hi-Lo grocery store in town center. There is a ScotiaBank in town with an ATM that spits out Jamaican dollars ($J) using your bank card. Current exchange rate is around $60J:$1USD. Enjoy your stay! We are annual visitors to Negril due back there in May.

Thanks Sammy for the info!

You will LOVE Soloman. His wife, Sienna, is also a fun person & they love to share info about Jamaica. We toured with them in May & really enjoyed it. The sunset from 3 Dives is amazing. I have posted some pictures at www.tropictravelonline.com. Just click on the picture gallery & find Jamaica & Negril folders. The colors are better than any picture.
I was sorry we didn't make it to eat at Norma's or Norm's place either. They both post regularly at www.negril.com & I have heard their food & company is great.

Negril can really use the tourist money after Ivan hit them so hard. The people were wonderful when we were there. Wish we could bottle their joy of life.

Have a great time!

I agree with CaribbeanSoul - don't bother with dressed-up clothes - you'll see! I stayed at Rockhouse in May 2002 - most wonderful place I've ever stayed. I ate at on-site restaurant for breakfast most days, and for dinner a few times, and I just put a tank and a sarong over my swimsuit (didn't bother with shoes) and was perfectly comfortable. I had a villa with loft - so lovely. The rock shower is the BEST. Loved this place - have a great time!

How did the beach fare in Negril after Ivan? We were they several years ago and it was awesome. Wish we would have explored more off our resort. Did the Rick's Cafe thing. Read it is gone now???

sorry to butt in on your question KDR...Is it worth using Solomon if we are staying at a hotel that does provide transportation. But I know that you can often wait for others and it may take a while to leave the airport. We are travelling with 2 little ones and wonder wheter it would be worth getting to and/or from to the hotel on our own?

Brijax,
The hotel transportation from Beaches was ok but the van was packed. Adults had their beers that they bought after arriving at the airport. They drove about 30 minutes then made a short stop for a food/bathroom break. Having Soloman drive you would make things go at your schedule. You would be his only concern.
We stayed at Beaches & had arranged for him to be our guide. He was cheaper than the hotel tour & took us places that we would never have seen. Plus you are normally the only ones on his tour. With the hotel arranged ones there might be several people along. If you are dealing with small children it is good to have flexible guides. He took my daughter to 3 ice cream places to find her the banana ice cream she loved.

benj,
thanks for getting back to me. that was my concern...the less the kids have to wait (while people have their beers) and the faster they get out of the car and onto the beach the better!
Any recomendations of places to tour with him (without the kids)?
thanks!

Mayfield Falls, The Blue Hole Gardens at Roaring River, Pelican Bar and Black River's Great Morass via private boat -- not the pontoon party boats -- with a stop at Sister Lou's shack upriver for crab, plus private 'farms' that might suit your proclivities without the kids might top your list.

Just wanted to chime in....we have also had Solomon take us around and he is great. I want to second Tiv's suggestions of things to do as well.

We had Sala take us to Treasure Beach one day, we ate breakfast at Jake's, did a quick beach checking-out, then got on our own boat with Dennis Abrahams to go to Black River, stopped and saw dolphins along the way, stopped at Pelican Bar for a drink and a snorkel, then went up the river, got crab on the way down. Sala picked us up in Black River and we were back in Negril for dinner.

Mayfield Falls are awesome too, not crowded and a lot of fun, not for the very elederly or inform, though, there's a bit of hiking involved (my 3 year old was fine with our river guide helping her in the water). YS Falls is a good alternative if you aren't up to the hike.

Personally I'd take the free Beaches transfer and use that $$ for an extra tour (the ride from the airport is only an hour and a half at the longest), but it is very nice to go at your own pace, stop when you/the kids want to.

Stayed on the cliffs 4 days and on the beach 4 days in November and ate at Rockhouse, 3 Dives and Normas. Excellent food all, but 3 evenings at 3 Dives!! Used credit card at Normas and Rockhouse. Good exhange rate and easy.

Linen slacks and a nice shirt are fine and are even at the top end of the scale. You'll find shorts and t-shirts (unfortunately or not) at both Rockhouse and Norma's. With jerk, you certainly don't want to wear linen. :)

I recommend JA money over US. I was quoted better prices in JA than US quite a few times. Ths Scotia bank in the town center has an ATM that dispenses both JA and US at the best exchange rate.

Enjoy! Negril is a wonderful place.

3 Dives is a must-do for our family, we eat/hang out there at leat 3x a trip :)

www.maherconsulting.com/3dives

...NOT a dressy place, in fact you eat on picnic tables, lovely setting and view of sunset, a cave, you can cliff jump and snorkel too. Don't go starving, they make everything to order and it takes awhile.