gahtravels

Want a last minute trip flying out of Atlanta. Not Mexico...short trip too long flight. Thinking Virgin Islands British or US...maybe Jamaica. We want to be close to downtown. We like hikes, snorkel, shopping, nightlife for dancing. We like adventure during day and close to home after 9pm. Even a hotel or resort with dance club...2 girls and don't want to be unsafe. Any ideas for a long weekend with high chance of good weather?

suze

Jamaica fits for an easy (2 hr nonstop) flight out of Atlanta, but I'm not sure which city would fit your "close to downtown" request. I really like Negril, but it's a small place, spread out along a gorgeous 7 mile beach and on to a couple miles of cliffs overlooking the ocean.

As far as good weather, are you going this month? All the islands should have fine weather this time of year.

gahtravels

Yea, March. Gotta avoid the spring break kids too. I saw a Negril blog and it does sound like my kind of place. Small is okay. We can get a driver to show us the outlying sights and walk in afternoon I'm hoping. Do you recommend a hotel or resort. I'd like very nice 3 star or 4 star. I love a comfy bed.

gahtravels

I don't necessarily need a 'downtown'. Looking for walking to local breakfast or happy hour spot.

fishee

i like the cliffs in negril -- tensing pen is beautiful, catcha falling star next door is somewhat more affordable but still not cheap. Can walk to many places to eat and drink from both of those places, or take a quick cab down to the beach. The beach area was heavy with college kids both times I was there and I was relieved to be staying in the cliffs. have fun!

suze

Basically Negril has two halves. There's the 7-mile beach, with all kinds of hotels and resorts, both AI and not. Then there's the Cliffs, which has mostly smaller places, like cottages in garden settings, and is my personal preference. I stayed at Le Mirage up on the Cliffs. But for what you want it probably would be more convenient to stay somewhere right on the beach.

Check out the Negril forum over at Trip Advisor. Also negrilonestop is a very good website for planning.

http://www.negrilonestop.com/beachresorts.shtml

qwovadis

www.atlantis.com closest super nice sales right now.
bookit.com San Juan PR or
St Thomas all good based on budget.
Jamaica is more rasta little dodgier nice though rockhousehotel.com my fav.

Good luck!

suze

I agree that Jamaica is the most rough and rugged of the islands you mention. It's a little wooly there. I personally believe it is "safe" but if you want something a little less adventurous, go with USVI or Puerto Rico. Those I believe would also have better (easier access) nigthlife, shopping, downtown to wander around, etc. per the original request.

gracie

The ride from the Montego Bay airport to Negril will eat up a pretty good chunk of your visit. I just flew from ATL to Montego Bay and stayed near Lucea, which is not even as far as Negril. It is at least 45 minutes from the airport to Lucea.

gracie

To elaborate on what I just posted. When we went to Jamaica a few weeks ago, we only had three nights. Even though our flight home to ATL did not leave MoBay until 4:10 pm, our pick up time at the hotel was 12:15 pm. I think they want to allow enough time for traffic and security issues. The Delta 4:10pm flight is probably the last nnostop flight from MoBay to ATL. So, if you are staying in Negril, you would probably have to leave the resort no later than 11:20 am. That really cuts into your last day.

suze

The ride from the airport to Negril is 90 mins, Lucea is approx. the half-way point.