Renting a car in Jamaica
 

We are headed to Negril for a 6 day vacation and I'm now wondering if we should cancel our rental car. We are four adults, staying in an AirBNB apartment on the west end lighthouse road. We will want to do a few dinners out, go to the beach, maybe rent a catamaran, and do Mayfield Falls. I gather most folks just taxi everywhere, but not sure how easy that is since we're not at a hotel. Is it hard to park a car if we drive to restaurants or the beach? With the cost of getting from the airport, it may be a wash, but would love to hear others' experiences driving and parking vs taking a taxi everywhere. Thanks.

I've only been to Negril once and did not rent a car. We agreed if we ever returned we would definitely rent a car. I think it will give you the freedom to come and go as you please. Some restaurants do provide transportation however.

I've been to Negril 3 times and stay out on the Cliffs. No way would I want to try to drive a car there myself!! You know it's "wrong" side of the road? Drivers are nuts and roads are not always in very good shape.

flip side... you ARE quite a distance out on West End road if you are by the lighthouse. Taxis (both regular priced and shared/cheap "route taxis") are on that road but I have no idea how frequently one would happen by that far out from town.

It is easy enough to arrange for private drivers though. You might want to check into that, so you'd have someone you could phone when you need transportation. Just into town, beach, or for your trip to the falls, etc.

Thanks for the warning about driving. We think we prefer the freedom to go places and since we're not on the hotel strip, we might not be able to hail a taxi easily. We will drive slowly, for sure!

It's not about how you drive, it's the other people! And the condition of the road itself. You'll see what I mean when you get there. There isn't a "hotel strip" on the west end road anyway.