My husband and I are considering a trip to Swept Away in the end of August and I have two primary questions: (1) Are there lots of squash players at the resort, or is there a good pro, to play with daily? We are looking for A/B+ level players. (2) My husband would like to drive a scooter each day for about 20 miles out and back (why he likes to scooter when we are in the Caribbean is anyone's guess but to each his own!). Is it safe to drive a scooter some distance from Negril? Jamaica does have a reputation for crime although I assume that it's more of a problem in Kingston. Assuming it is safe, are there alternate routes to take for some variation in scenery? Needless to say, he will be alone! We are a little uncertain about the idea of an all-inclusive resort which sort of discourages exploring and stumbling upon great new restaurants but the sports at Swept Away look great. Thanks for any help you can give.

Swept Away looks fantastic as well from the beach... I was strolling along the fantastic seven mile beach and we crossed over the Swept Away piece and were very impressed by the service and the grounds (we peeked..)

I am uncertain about safety being on a scooter in J.A specifically but I have a friend who lives in Barbados and she forbid me from renting one as she said it is a local joke that if you "accidentally" knock a tourist off a scooter you get "points" and an "accident" is an "accident"... there could be different sentiments but who knows...

Have fun though - SEven mile beach is beautiful with lots of fun things to do and great swimming and always - Rick's Cafe... try and sail around the cove to it...

SA does have a great fitness facility - we worked out there each morning and used the pool following the gym. We did see people playing squash - I do believe they have a pro to instruct and play with. They have some very good tennis players around - very nice facility - 5 clay courts and 5 hard courts. The week we were there they had a few very personable guest pros from various areas of the world. Instruction from these pros was included in the package.

I have no idea about the scooter idea - but the way many Jamaicans drive on the road from Montego Bay to Negril - I would not even think about venturing out on a scooter. Not really sure if there are alternate routes off the main track - ask at the resort.

The food at Swept Away is great and there is a nice gourmet restaurant called Feathers that will satisfy you. Reservations required in advance.

As far as crime in Jamaica - my wife and I ventured out a number of times to explore Negril and the cliffs and felt perfectly safe. Treating people with respect will attract a similar response.

We really enjoyed SA - for food, beach, fitness, activities, veggie bar, great fish and chicken sandwiches at the beach grill, service and meeting some very interesting people from all over the world. Sunset catamaran cruise with Rasta Ralphie is great fun.

FYI - my wife took the pool diving course one morning and had a shallow ocean dive that afternoon - she really enjoyed the opportunity to try diving. I dove 3 times at SA and found the divemasters to be courteous and knowledgable. The resort has a very nice dive boat.

Enjoy!

Tho Jamaicans can make even Massachusetts drivers look like pikers,
touring the Negril to Sav/Savannah La Mar area as well as the backroads to
Roaring River, the Blue Hole Gardens or closer, the Negril Palm Conservatory and gardens, is do-able on a motorcycle/scooter rental -- with a helmet and overseas medical insurance at the very least. If you're intrepid, go for it--but most Jamaicans would consider you foolish for taking the risk of life and limb.

Re: scooters.

The roads are not well surfaced, there is usually no shoulder and what shoulder there is is usually gravel, you are on the left, medical attention in Negril is spotty, etc...

I have a friend that had a scooter accident and it was a horrible mess.

Forget about it.

MM

I would skip the scooter in Jamaica - but one of the things I like about Negril is that once you get to your hotel or resort, you don't have to see a road or a car unless you want to take a cab to the cliffs. I suggest that you consider staying at Idle Awhile (www.idleawhile.com) - owned by Lee Issa's wife. He owns Swept Away (and half of Jamaica it seems) The hotel is beautiful; the beach is great there; it is not AI and you are within walking distance of great restaurants and you can use the SA sports center. It is a bit of a walk to SA but the walk is all on the beach and you can check out restaurants and the "sights" along the way - try a patty from the patty man and get some homemade Jamaican cookies from a fruit stand.

Riding a scooter in Jamaica can be dangerous but not in the way you think - it's car accidents, hitting a pothole etc you should worry about, not people robbing you. I do know someone who died on one last year after an accident. I would be sure to have emergency medflight coverage if you do, just in case.

That said, we rent a motorcycle every time we go to Negril and explore the areas just inland...Orange Hill, Retirement, Lost Beach, Little Bay, etc. Once you get out of Negril there is little traffic, more potholes and animals than cars.

Jah B's on the beach road is where we always rent, good bikes, fair prices. Rented elsewhere once and were sorry.

If you do get a scooter, don't miss Jamaica Jurassic Park in Retirement (right by Orange Hill, ask in Negril it's easy). It's about 20 minutes from Negril and the artist that works/lives there has done most of the fancy gates in Negril with leaves and such on them in metal.

His own "fun" stuff at the park is dinosaurs, flowers, centipedes...and they're huge. He's very sweet too and admission is free (though a donation or purchase of drink is appreciated).

Thanks to everyone who responded. Sounds like Swept Away (and nearby spots) are great places to stay but we should think long and hard about scootering.