What is a "Fair Price" for red stripes in the stores in Negril?

All this convincing that everyone is trying to make to us in regards to "avoiding the A/I's" is starting to work, but I should let it be known that we are DRINKERS!!...in fact, so much so, that the A/I experience to us so far has seemed cost effective.... That said, what can we expect to pay for red stripe in bulk(12 packs, case), is it even available in those sizes, and the mom&pop stores along the beach...I also would love to hear if a Hi-Lo market trip is worthwhile, or if a <precious time killing>MegaMart stop is worth the effort.. Food I think we can budget ok(even though we are big eaters, too)..but getting our drink on is important to us on vacation, especially since we don't have to drive, and can't "enjoy a sub" until we are retired.....naturally we will take advantage of drink specials/happy hours where & when we can...but feel that stockpiling beers is key:cool::rolleyes:

In Negril I believe the China Mans store across from the Bank of Nova Scotia has always had the best price on a dozen or more Stripes. Maybe only a few $$ less then Hi Lo but also an experience just walking around in side the store. We have stopped at Mega Mart the last 2 trips and I can't quote you a price but then we also bought groceries & Rum at same time.

Generally speaking, if you consume 10-plus drinks/cocktails and like to eat well with a variety of foods, and certainly if snorkeling is included, then an AI is worth it. All this rhetoric about AIs keeping you away from the "real Jamaica" is silly; you're not locked in.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Generally speaking, if you consume 10-plus drinks/cocktails and like to eat well with a variety of foods, and certainly if snorkeling is included, then an AI is worth it. All this rhetoric about AIs keeping you away from the "real Jamaica" is silly; you're not locked in.

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They dont "keep you away" but they certainly discourage you from doing anything that they dont sanction. For those who dont know any better. They may not get the experience.

I've never had an AI discourage me from doing anything, and I've stayed AI and non-AI in Negril.

You have to make an effort to get out of the resort if you're doing AI. The problem with AI is that it's usually so expensive to stay that most people don't have the money left to explore and go to other places. If you like eating well, it's hard to justify $80 to $100 dinners when you're already paying $300 plus a night! lol

If you both are big drinkers(10+drinks per person per day) and big eaters, the AI is going to be more economical. 20 beers, if they are RS, will cost you a minimum of $50 day. Go for frozen drinks or cocktails and you can spend $100 a day in bars. Throw in large quantities of food....you get my point. But then you become "economically" imprisoned by your AI. To make a go of the price dif, you have to eat most of your meals and do most of your drinking at the AI, and that is what causes people to not leave the AI. YMMV.

Oh, and Mega Mart isn't out of the way. You won't lose time, no more than if you were going to a store in Negril.

When I was there recently I'd pick up 6 packs of RS every few days at the mini mart near Time Square for $660J. (morass side) I'd guess a case would be 4X that. A friend was buying cases there but I don't remember if he was paying a lesser amount or 4X the $660J. Across the street the 6 packs are $680J (Beverage Depot?). The price includes tax & bottle deposit. The store opens early ~ 7:30-8:00. Not sure how late they're open as I'm a morning person & not out at night. Hope this helps. BTW... The Fish Hut next door has great saltfish & ackee if you like fresh JA breakfast. $250J for S&A w/ callaloo... yum!

On the same thread (literally and figuratively!) has anyone ever been to either the Moonrise Villas grocery store or Mikey's grocery store? I'm staying virtually across the street on the beach and was wondering if either has Red Stripe or coconut rum. It'd be much easier to walk across the street than take a taxi into town! I'll go to a few bars, but since I have a small fridge in the room would like to keep an emergency (and cheaper) stash nearby!

Like RR said, No AI will stop you from leaving but keep in mind that any food and drink you buy outside of the AI is going to add to the overall cost. If you're big eaters and drinkers and you don't intend to spend too much time off of the AI then it would probably be advantageous to stay at an AI. IMO, I'd much rather have the variety that comes with going non-AI.

You may want to think about doing a few days AI and then a few days non-AI so you know for the next trip......there will likely be a next trip. There are also some hotels that allow you to purchase AI on a day to day basis. I believe Fun Holiday is one. I will say that at least on these forums, I find most pass on the AI after going non-AI. There is also more of a benefit to the local economy when you spread your dollars around which shouldn't go unmentioned.

You can buy a case of Red Stripe then get a bottle of 3 Gold Coins rum for a decent price.Buy the fresh juice from the guy on the beach,get jerk chicken from Best in the West for like $15 bucks. At the AI resort you have no options,outside you can use ALL the bars & retaurants for different settings.

Forgot,the bottles have a refund so when they are empty give the case to a worker as a tip.

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Originally Posted by Fred Stripe

Forgot,the bottles have a refund so when they are empty give the case to a worker as a tip.

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Good point.... Also you can buy straight from the beer truck. I was quoted $2250j yesterday for a case.

We have a blast staying A/I and not staying A/I,depends where you stay how much you will pay and therefore how much you will get off the resort.We stayed at Fun Holiday last year and went off the resort almost every day to visit local places and have a few cocktails and beers and out to party at night.We had a fridge in our room so we also kept stocked up for nights on our patios drinking our own stash.We are staying on the Cliffs 2 nights this year and will be out and about alot but once we move to Hedonism we will only be off the resort 2 or 3 times(dragging Negril newbies with us)!!! We bought most of our stash at Sunshine Grocery across the street from the beach.Have a blast no matter how you do it!

Wow Booger....if I base my math on a 83JA=$1US exchange rate....we're talking about the same price as we get here (like $12.99~12pk).....something to think about, I guess...

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Originally Posted by lisapat

Wow Booger....if I base my math on a 83JA=$1US exchange rate....we're talking about the same price as we get here (like $12.99~12pk).....something to think about, I guess...

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With the beaches you have there why even go? Lol. I miss my days lounging on Navarre beach...... Oh and the exchange rate is 86j- $1US right now. Cheapest beer I found at a bar was $150j at Seasplash during happy hour.

If you are getting a 6-pack of Red Stripe at at one of those mini-marts for $660JA, then that is pretty good. Better than what I paid at Hi-Lo. I think I spent $2800 for a case of Red Stripe Light. I don't recall if Red Stripe Light is the same or more expensive.

We are big drinkers.

First trip was AI all the way. Second trip was half AI/half cliffs. Third trip was non-AI all the way. We discovered on the third trip we actually drank less. Not that we were really trying to budget, we just found that we became more "conscious" drinkers. (if there is such a thing, lol) We managed to hydrate a lot in between. In addition, our activities were much different. AI=lay on beach and drink ALL day long. Why not? It's included! Non AI=explore/lounge/explore some more.

All in all, I would say our trip cost is still about the same because the money we save going non-AI we spend on tours and such.

Just food for thought.

I get this all the time, Booger....we have to get away, just like everyone else...right now, we visit the beach just about every weekend...we're beach fanatics....we drive 35-40 min to get there, then the 35-40 min. home...we like to drink, but moderation is key....sometimes we even tow our ski boat down, but we aren't in Jamaica, nor on vacation, and the culture here is the same as where you live, American(even have a hockey team)...but not Jamaican, How much shade did you have on Navarre Beach?....the people, culture, vibes...the sights, sounds, smells, feeling of Negril is why we go:cool:......

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Originally Posted by RyanP

If you are getting a 6-pack of Red Stripe at at one of those mini-marts for $660JA, then that is pretty good. Better than what I paid at H-Lo. I think I spent $2800 for a case of Red Stripe Light. I don't recall is Red Stripe Light is the same or more expensive.

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RyanP...Red Stripe Light is more expensive!

I think we paid 2400j at chinaman store, and they do come in 24's. we also brought a couple hundred worth of spirits and wine from the duty free at the airport. all in all between two of us we spent an average of 150/day on everthing including food,booze, scooter rentals, and taxis for 9 days on the beach and 9 days on the cliffs. we stayed at seastar and seasplash and ate at Ivans 3 times, and had at least one drink as many places we could hit up. We enjoy trying new spots and returning to some of our favorites, Tony's hut, Best of the West, Sun Beach, Pee Wee's Red Dragon, Xtabi, LTU. I consider us average drinkers, its a marathon mon! Cheers!

paid like $580J's for a six pack of Red Stripe at the China Mon Shop across from SamSara...........
paid around $1,000J's for Myers Rum and $1500J's for J&B Overproof Rum at ValueMaster.....

Cool Runnings, Marko