Carol

I'm considering Grand Lido in Negril but am concerned about the long taxi trip along secondary roads (main roads under repair). Am I better off in Antigua or Turks for the same kind of vacation?

ohliz

You can fly to Negril from MoBay for about $50 per person.

I like the taxi ride myself, we grab a couple of drinks, take it slow and make the mental transition from the plane. If you're considering Montego Bay because it's closer to the airport, I'd say Negril is definitely worth the ride - much nicer beach, more laid back place.
Liz

Chris

I too am having the same dilemma. It seems as though opinions run 50/50. Contacted Burl Air for a quote from MoBay to Negril. US$230.00 round trip per couple. Children under 12, 1/2 price. Have not made a decision yet, however gut feeling is to fly. LY we had no problems with driving. This year with the weather and road conditions...??

Penney

The ride is well worthit but you can fly for verylittle and get there much faster. The ride is not that bad - take some driks with you - they will stop to get some if you ask them! Great way to see the country side.

Grand Lido Negril is a wonderful resort - first class, great food and service, nice rooms. The beach in Negril is one of the finest in the Caribbean.

As compared to Antigua or Turks - Antigua does have nice beaches but not as nice and think Jamaica has a more tropical caribbean feel to it. Turks is the last of the desert islands - nothing to do at all off the resorts but the most amazing beach and clear water we have ever seen.

pam

we flew from Montego Bay to Negril for $100 per person, round trip on AIr Jamaica. everyone we met at the resort said the ride was unbearable. plus, you save 2 hours by flying. i recommend it.

tivertonhouse

Round trip via airport meeting service/private van and driver runs about US$120 roundtrip for two including luggage from airport to Negril. If you arrive before 3pm, the ride over may well let you ease more gently into Jamaica's runnins. Avoid the usual coast road through Lucea (where there have been recent police checkpoints that back up traffic) and take B4 from Reading through Anchovy,
Montpelier and Whithorn, Ferris Cross with the beaches of the South Coast to the left/east. Westward you go into the big market town of Sav and through Little London to Negril well in time to make sunset. Pick up some cold Red Stripes, or Ting, a patty, some coconut water and fresh fruit from roadside stands en route. Shrug off where you're coming from by leaving the cities and going through Jamaica's countryside. If you fly, you're immediately in resortland. If you've driven --as long as it's not a bus--
you'll see more of Jamaica's interior and perhaps come back to explore.

fur

the ride from mo bay to negril is about 1.5 hours. it's quite bumpy...you'll only enjoy it for the firt 1/2 hour but after that, the bumps, turns and view won't be that interesting anymore. we took the JUTA van from the airport for $20 one way .

Kristy

We were in Negril about 2 weeks ago and stayed at Couples. The van ride to Negril took 3 hours but the ride back to the airport only took 1 1/2 hours. We haven't really figured out why. Our ride there was at night but we took the same route both times. We did go through Lucea. The roads are very bad, but there are some good patches ever so often that give you a break. It's such a shame for Jamaica. I think the roads are just another thing that scares off tourists.

Norma

Went to Negril in Aug. Took the bus to the resort and flew back to Mobay. The bus ride was over 2 hours and everyone was turning green before we got to the first resort. It is a 17 min. flight back. Loved the view, flew Tim's Air and had a great time. Well worth the $60 a head.

ohliz

I agree with tivertonhouse - the "back way" to Negril is much more interesting than the coast road, and it is faster. The coast road has been under construction for some time, that's why it's taking longer than usual and why it varies from day to day.

The interior route goes through some really beautiful mountains, small towns, cane fields...very different look at Jamaica than the coast road gives you. And you still take the coast a short way so you can enjoy the water view for a bit.

We stop along the way for beer, snacks, etc, it's like a mini-tour and a wonderful way to decompress from the flight. Put shorts in your carry-on, it's a lot more fun if you get into tropical mode before you set off.
Liz