Mi 1st.....!!

Have gone solo twice, but I am a guy, so it's a little easier. lol. I had a blast. Pack as light as possible. Get through customs/airport asap. Have a taxi set up. The boardies here recommended a great one last time down. Don't get a resort van. I have found they have way to many stops. If you need to stop for supplies they know good spots for most everything. Bubble wrap takes up lots of space. I use my clothes to wrap my breakables, or use newspaper. Works well and is fun to read when you get home.

Yup, re: non AI, read up on taking taxis (prices, recommended drivers, route). Have lots of 100 j bills. Several hotels/ restaurants will pick you up for free. Seastar will pick you up and return you for free - anytime, not just for their Sat show and not just at dinner. You could go for lunch and hang out at their pool. Cambio on the road in front of Bourbon Beach, Scotiabank ATM in Time Square. You probably know this stuff already...

I had a private driver both trips and stopped at Mega Mart in Mobay on the way. Bought tons of stuff for the week. Munchies, fruit, pop, beer, pkg of small styrofoam plates for my room and plastic beer glasses. Cream for my coffee (for times I didn't use rum cream), etc etc. If you want a cooler for your hotel, you can buy one here. Coffee pots, etc. Spent about $100 for the week and always had left overs to leave for housekeeping. Beer is by the pop in the store, hard liquor is on the exit side of the tills to buy separately. The last trip I wanted to buy my own Lime cell phone and my driver found the Lime desk (right inside Mega Mart) and someone to help me purchase a phone, only $999 j, including SIM and 100j in minutes. Only bought another $200 j in minutes for the week, calling home several times, locally and texting.

You can have your driver take you to Hilo or ValueMaster (Lime store is above it). Or of course, you can walk to Shamrock store on the beach road. I stop in there for one or two things, but for me, I really like to take care of business right away on the way from the airport so I can settle in and relax once I get to the hotel. Phone and drinks, ready to roll!

Also, if you have a smartphone, I highly recommend the TripIt app. You can save all your travel documents, confirmations, schedule times/dates for entertainment, phone numbers for restaurants and taxis, consulate addresses and ph #s...literally everything. I even scanned my passport page as JPEG and attached it, so I'd have the info if it went missing. That saved info can be accessed when you don't have wifi. I always kept data off and kept phone on airplane mode and just referred to it when on my hotel property. Just added contact #s to my local cell for when I was out and about.

Don't forget your local beach/cliff maps. Huge help while there, especially for the first time.

Mi 1st Non-Inclusive was a SUCCESS!!!! looking to book for May Mi do it again..LOL (Soon come Trip report)

As a solo female traveler, I am not, the security of an all inclusive can be comforting, but as many have said, that really isn't Negril . You will be fine, it will be an adventure. Be aware of your surroundings and choose your friends wisely.

I have travelled to Negril by myself for the last 10 years and have met up with many women travelling solo.....they all agreed that they had no worries alone....obviously as a woman you take the precautions that we all do in any country anywhere....but you will love it. BTW I never stay in an AI...and I go to the concerts on the beach until all hours of the night....I do not carry a purse/jewellry.(tucking money into your bra is always a good choice...even if it is only for the taxi back...and only travel with a red plate taxi. Enjoy

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Originally Posted by love2travelchic

Mi 1st Non-Inclusive was a SUCCESS!!!! looking to book for May Mi do it again..LOL (Soon come Trip report)

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Good to hear! Looking forward to the trip report!

Can't wait to hear all about it sounds like it'll be a good read :)

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