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Thinking about picking up a rental at airport and giving it a shot going to Negril but a little nervous about staying wide left...Am I crazy for thinking about that? What about insurance..ect..looking for feedback and tips for those that have done it..thanks!
I have rented several times from Island at the airport. I used my Citibank World Mastercard for the insurance, the hold $500, once the car is returned with no issues the $500 hold is released. I really enjoy the freedom but it also comes with responsibilities....watching the road for all sort of things, not being able to drink and not being able to just relax and take in the scenery. Negril is so easy to get around and maneuver I don't rent every time I'm in Negril. Be sure to check the car out from front to back and note everything. I have had no issues with Island and highly recommend their service. When you rent through Negril One Stop you get a better deal than renting directly from Island.
I use Chalis car rental. They are just across from the airport and will pick you up. They also have phones to use, if available. Chalis also honors the Visa or MC world card which allows you to waive the insurance and saves a bundle. Driving on the left is No Problem Mon!!!
I vote for island car rental.
Great service, convenient, great cars.
Rented many, many times.
Car not necessary for negril though.
I have rented from Island 4 times for periods of 3 -12 weeks . have been all over the Island driving, I will be renting again in Sept. for 9 days solo, although Negril is easy to get around without the car, i look at it for the convenience, and if you are only staying for any where up to 2 weeks it's cheaper too, I have been to a lot of places before i started driving so now that i know how to get there i just go and save myself hundreds of $$ on tour costs, then there is the cost of getting back and forth from/to the Airport, for us it just works out to be more cost effective. Just make sure you look the car over with a fine tooth comb. By the time you get out of Mo-Bay you should be fine with the left side driving, the mistake i make a lot and i'm sure it pisses the people behind me off is turning the wipers on when i want to actually turn the blinkers on, and when you get in to the car on the right and then realise you can't drive from that side and you get out and look around to see if anyone saw you.LOL. I'm sure you will do fine.
fargoman...ask to see if they have a Buick Lesabre available, if so, then you'll be fine. No worries mon'
, the mistake i make a lot and i'm sure it pisses the people behind me off is turning the wipers on when i want to actually turn the blinkers on, and when you get in to the car on the right and then realise you can't drive from that side and you get out and look around to see if anyone saw you.LOL. I'm sure you will do fine.[/QUOTE]
Haha, the blinkers/wipers. I'm glad to hear I"m not the only one!!!
I used to rent a car and drove all around the island, circumnavigating it twice. Then I found us just driving around Negril and realized we were wasting money. If you're adventurous and want to explore the island, rent. I even downloaded a Jamaica map for my Garmin GPS. That would save you money vs booking tours. I've had some wonderful adventures driving in Jamaica. Those sugar cane trucks will play chicken with you though. However, it comes with all the responsibilities as noted previously.
An amusing issue is that the wiper and turn signal stalks are switched. You'll be wiping the windshield instead of signaling a turn until you've been there awhile. Then when you get home, you'll be retraining your brain all over again. Less amusing is making a turn and winding up in the wrong lane. I once turned off a roundabout in Kingston and wound up going the wrong way on a one way street at 5pm. Yikes! Same brain fart when you get back home. Drive safe! Respect --Marblehead
For those of you who rented..what about the insurance? Purchase or not? Going to check with my agency here to see
Your car insurance will not be accepted in Jamaica, we tried that the first year we rented got a additional rider to cover Jamaica but the rental car company would not accept it . We use a American Express CC, and /or a TD Visa travel rewards card, they both cover the insurance, I think some one mentioned a World Master Card for US folks works too. I have a Chase Saphire Visa I kept from when I lived in the States and they cover Jamaica too.