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I need to come up with a what to bring and do list for newcomers. There is much collective experience from this board--I welcome your suggestions.
Club Mobay
Megamart in MoBay - snacks, drinks, 2 water bottles (fill up w/water daily, put in fridge)...
Bring ones and fives
Using ATMs?
Grocery shopping at night at Quality
Floatation device
Sunscreen, citronella mosquito spray
Plastic ziplock bags, diff. sizes
Water bottle
Hat
Sunglasses
....
For ATMs I would recommend the NCB machine in the Sunshine Plaza (by Hi-Lo). Less potential hassle than the Scotia Bank by the roundabout and I find the fees to be cheaper.
Personally, I would skip Mega Mart in Mobay, and just stop at the Hi-Lo and the ATM in at the same time. However, we stay on West End so it is conveniently on the way to our to hotel. If they are staying on the beach, it will be a few minutes out of the way (but still might be quicker than a Mega Mart stop).
Only get into a red plate taxi!
Club Mobay ....is it REALLY worth the extra $$$ ???
Good question. It used to be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slightly Stoopid
Now there are kiosks and new simpler immigration forms, so the wait times have been reduced.
Why use ATMs? If one knows they will need some cash, get all you may anticipate before leaving home....Carrying worries?...I'd rather have it on me, than announce to the world "I'm getting cash, everybody"....just IMHO
Don't forget a collapsible cooler.....Always bring an extra phone/laptop charger just in case....an extra pair of headphones necessary!Quote:
Originally Posted by Integrity
Sunscreen, mosquito spray. And take time to relax.
Your own personal medicine stuff. Pepto Bismal, imodium, aspirins, small alcohol pads, etc.............. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Integrity
Reading the advice in this thread I'm wondering what the expectations of the newbies are?Quote:
Originally Posted by Integrity
Cap
1. Leave the bling at home.
2. Pack less clothes.
3. Take more cash.
4. Never exchange money on the street NEVER NEVER EVER !!!!
Mosquito coils!
YETI tumbler
we always bring 2 sizes of zip lock bags, snacks because they are expensive in ja. drink the tap water..so good,a candle and flashlite for power outages, pay in jamaican currency, small bills...they never have change, first aid kit, Negril is hard on your feet, you will see, soon come
Always, always be respectful. It's as if they know you are there before you do and you will want to come back!
Personally, I don't prefer to travel with 7-14 days of USD cash. I would much rather take a private taxi to the Scotia Bank or NCB and withdrawal 3-4 days of cash at a time.Quote:
Originally Posted by lisapat
1) I can get JMD, and
2) I usually have to go to the grocery store about the same time I need money, and
3) the ATM fees are actually pretty favorable (unless your bank at home dings you extra).
Lots of cool Bic lighters, open red stripe bottles well and last much longer, and can give to people, get ones with your country city or hockey sports teams.
travelers checks are the way to go and periodically exchange at a cambio for cash..do not use credit cards
most have been said already...
1. snorkel/fins/mask/ rash guard if I’m going to be in the water longer
2. bandana - keep mine wrapped around my wrist - doubles as a napkin, cold towel for neck or head if it gets too hot, wipes sweat away, also a tourniquet.
3. cooler
4. huggys / coozies
5. bug spray – buy GO! At mobay megamart or really any bodega will have it.
6. suntan lotion – chapstick – maui babe
7. camera, batteries, etc.
8. 1's and 5's for tipping and small purchases – classic line is “I don’t have any change”
9. binder clips – use these to carry my money. Leave the wallet in the safe.
10. anti-itch and first aid medicine
11. advil, immodium, benedryl, heartburn med etc
12. lanyard for keys
13. ziplock bags – the quart size come in handy for keeping small items purchased organized.
14. small flashlight
15. small wireless speaker for music
I haven't flown a whole lot...are lighters allowed on the checked bags?Quote:
Originally Posted by lacdeloo
Yes, and now you can carry them with you on the plane.Quote:
Originally Posted by KitchenBeeotch
MikeyNYC,
#3) cooler - I always bring a collapsible cooler and gift it to someone at the end of my trip.
Don't rely on credit or debit cards. Always have enough cash on hand to get by on for at least a day or two just in case electronic payment systems go down.
Good Advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin, PA
Oof. Almost got stuck last trip. Three days left and I was down to my 7000J (I easily could have made it stretch but what fun is that?) I tried to go to the ATM; my card wouldn't work at the two near the roundabout. I had called my bank prior to my trip to let them know where I would be so they wouldn't freeze it, so that wasn't it. I called customer service and the woman tells me that she doesn't see any holds and that I should *just* try another ATM. I'm thinking to myself "lady, I just tried 50% of the ATMs in town."Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin, PA
She continues, go ahead, I'll wait on the phone with you, just go to the one next to it. I said to her "uh, it doesn't really work that way where I'm at." She then promised me that it *should* work the next time I tried.
I walked to Times Sq the next day and it worked out.
Moral of the story - it's no fun counting your J and rationing what rum you have left, so plan ahead.
I usually show up with roughly 10 and am lucky to have one when I leave. Bics are the way to go.....Quote:
Originally Posted by lacdeloo
Maybe 15 years ago. Plenty of functioning ATM's to use. I can think of 8 off the top of my head. Travelers checks are not widely accepted like they once were.Quote:
Originally Posted by marco
As do I and it works out great. Bring those blue things that you throw in the freezer to keep the beer cold. Bring two sets, that way you can swap them out as needed. Water in zip lock bags that you can freeze works well too.Quote:
Originally Posted by VVHT
On a rare occasion the ATM's will be out of cash. Nothing kills the vibe more than wanting to go out and party and not having the funds to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin, PA
I like the way you roll......Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeyNYC
They are used to an all inclusive. This time they're staying on the cliffs.
no matter where u stay....keep laptop electronics purses and anything valuable under your bed mattress cant get out window/out of site I use window/door alarms try not to walk anywhere at night....red plates cheap 120JD pp beach 130JD pp westend Progressive foods place to shop in Mobay now. Bring BRITA water bottle Bashko in Sav sells bakery items from MegaMart I shop SAV grocery near Fontana pharmacy and LIKE to ride to SAV for 2200JD and get out at corner across grocery store Hilo and Valu Master and Icon HIGH in Negril except some snacks , less than 100JD to go down to Bashko for household items or market downtown for produce chinese ad kentucky fried there if needed hahaha western union cambio area OK rate...bring your money down or go to NCB bank cambio inside bank. ATMs people hang around at sorry for rush typing...gotta call and gotta go!
1). Water is fine in Negril, super clean and nice tasting.
2). yes Club MoBay is totally worth the money. They greet you and whisk you through customs which is great in busy season and it was great for me because I didn't raise the attention of customs with all my luggage containing christmas presents for jamaican friends! free rum punch and red stripe, cool water, snacks before your trip to negril, clean bathrooms.
on the return, lots of yummy good, wireless, our plane was delayed so we hung out there, free booze, food, tv, music, and they keep up with flights..yes a hundred times to club mobay.
3). Progressive or Hi Lo in MoBay has almost everything you need. Value Master and Hi Lo in Negril also great.
4). Bug Spray a must. We buy citronella candles at Hi Lo. We also buy Vapes.
5). music wireless waterproof speaker
6). dominos
7). baggies
8). lanyard for keys
all the other tips were great as well!
All great tips. I personally don't like to carry all the cash I'm going to need for the duration of my stay which is usually 3 weeks. I think the most important tip for someone going to Negril is to SLLLOOOOWWWW down. Island time is a wonderful thing on vacation. Never get to a restaurant when you are totally famished as "everyting soon come", sometimes that is an hour or more. Slow down, enjoy all the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and culture that Jamaica has to offer. One of my favorite activities for the day was shopping at a local store (not HiLo, but a store owned and run by a local) on the way to the Marchtown basic school, grabbing snacks and essential supplies for the class and visiting the kids. You have to arrange this so they know you are coming but by far the most rewarding experience of my entire lifetime. Don't be surprised if you hear a bunch of kids in unison say "white people" when you get there. They don't make it out of their neighborhoods often and don't see that many white people. When we heard them it gave us a chuckle.
NO. They are allowed in your pocket or carryon, but NOT in checked luggage.Quote:
Originally Posted by KitchenBeeotch
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...ohibited-items
My experience has been that on the way back, Jamaican airport security doesn't let you have them on your person.
Why wouldn't they be allowed in checked luggage ???
Oops I took a big pack last time packed away in my checked luggage!! That's a good link o have thanks you!! Guess I'll be bringing the enail instead of the torch
This is route cabs, which work like buses do in the US. Taking a cab from where you are to where you want to go works entirely differently. Search for "route cab" here and you'll find plenty of information. But do stick to the licensed cabs that have red license plates - you can also search for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Comforts of Home Nursing
"Why" is always a difficult question to answer, especially when it works one way southbound and the other way northbound. But the rules are very clear.Quote:
Originally Posted by 541lion
Hello ! I've been a lurker for some time and have enjoyed getting my Negril fix through all of your trip reports and the local news. 😎. We will be arriving next Tuesday our 16th trip to Jamaica? 14 of those to Negril! We love Negril! For my 2 cents, the cambio behind Bourbon Beach is where we exchange our US $ to Jamaican. About the same rate as the grocery. You hardly recognize it. Very secure. Walk thru bourbon beach and go toward the road and it's an orange building on the right before you get to the road.
Huh, that's strange. I've always put a few in my check bag, never a problem. I also always carry at least two on me or in my carry on since they relaxed that rule several years ago, and haven't had any problem since that time, going or coming.Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
Yeah I think last time I went you couldn't have them in your pocket?? So confusing!! You'd think they'd prefer you to not have access to your lighters while sitting on the plane
I bring a hotpot for making coffee, hot tea, cup-a-soup and instant oatmeal etc......also lanyard with bottle opener, waterproof case, keys etc.....
If you use club mo bay I have a #1 priority. Bring a big bubba mug. You can fill it for free with rum punch or beer. Make sure you tip your reps. If you travel in the winter, have a change of clothes handy. Get out of those cold weather clothes at the club mobay lounge.
Bring water shoes, they are hard to find in Jamaica and sunscreen is very expensive.
Davlin..I agree whole heartedly that the cambio behind Bourbon Beach is where it's at...word of advice though, better to approach it from the road, than the beach...seems like there's always a "shady" type that wants to "help me find it" when I walk up from the beach, even though I never asked for any...puts me in high alert mode....