Advice list for newcomers to Negril

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Originally Posted by Davlin

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.

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Thanks for the cambio tip! Im staying just down from bourbon beach and am looking to change money this time around. It would be great not to have to walk to the roundabout each time. Last time I used USD, but want to use J this time given the exchange rate is favorable. Last time I just had a bunch of small bills but I know I "overpaid" for every red stripe I bought! Haha not that I mind pumping a few extra dollars into the local economy, but I'm eager to use the local currency.

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Originally Posted by lisapat

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....

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most helpful local men I've ever met, those guys in Negril... :) haha! Great tip!

As a very long time visitor, I think you are getting some great advice. Negril probably has a much lower crime rate than where you are coming from but it doesn't hurt to be aware. Several people mentioned tip #1-leave the bling at home. It's a 3rd world country, who would you be trying to impress? People have had items lifted from their rooms by enterprising thieves using a fishing pole so don't leave anything worth it near your window. The Jamaican burglar alarm system works great for the nervous types; leave your empty Red Stripe bottles near points of entry. If someone did try to enter your room, the bottles falling over would alert all. Using red plate taxis is a great idea island-wise. Sometimes that isn't possible, so never take a ride without having a firm price before you get in. I've seen the exchange rate go from 6J to $1US to the present $119J to $1US and no one ever has change. lol You never want to pull out a big roll so keep bigger bills in one pocket and smaller in the other. Know too that the person hassling you to buy something may have many depending on them for income. Never ignore someone but a firm "no thank you", coupled with a stare in their eyes with a smile usually does the trick. Don't give someone false hopes by saying "Maybe later, I have no money on me". They will feel that they made a sale, you just haven't paid them yet. And I know you've gotten this advice before but never change money with an individual. Grifters do this for a living and you will never outsmart a crook on their own turf. It also never hurts to be vague as to where you're staying. "Up the road", " a few chains away", "this year we're doing the cliffs" is all the info you want to give out. If a salesman or woman wants to put something in your hand as a gift or for your examination, pull your hand away like they have poison on them. It will be much easier than trying to give it back. Unless you blush easily, I'd lie when asked if this is your first visit. Have fun. You're visiting a wonderful place.

Milwaukee, I agree totally. I had a guy that I work with tell me last year that he was going to an AI in Jamaica for his honeymoon. I asked him where, he didn't know, said his fiancee booked it, then found out and told me they were staying at Sandals Negril. Now this is a pretty rough dude, works in construction, very very good old boy type. I gave him a few pointers about what to do and not to do, a few good spots to check out, etc. A few days later he asked whether his fiancee/wife should wear her wedding ring, he said she really wanted to be able to wear it around. Said it was a $10k ring, wanted to show it off a bit. I had to think for a minute how to get through to someone with that mindset, just how to explain that you're wearing around more than most of these folks make in a year... on her finger. Just don't do it. I mean, leaving aside the chances for robbery, why would you want to flaunt that? It isn't like you're going to be respected for it, I just can't comprehend it. You're basically just rubbing it in people's faces.

Not sure what that has to do with anything, but thought i'd share...

As a newbie getting ready for her first trip to Jamaica- first trip out of the US really, aside from Cabo and a couple of cruises... I am NOT well versed on out of country travel. I truly appreciate all insight and tips here on this forum. I have what is probably a stupid question, but... here goes anyway. I've read that you must carry your US passport with you at all times while in Jamaica. Well if that's the case, I don't see people carrying their passports while swimming. I've heard some people say carry a photocopy, others say photocopies will do you no good, but keep a photocopy somewhere safe in case your passport gets stolen. What's the real deal here... passports necessary while you're out and about, whether swimming/walking the beach/going to dinner, etc?

Unless you're planning on driving or dabbling in illegal activities, I would keep the passport in your room either locked up or well hidden.

Last few times I have brought those beer sleeves you keep in the freezer that are insulated, keeps Redstripe ice cold till the last drop. mmmmmmmmmmm Redstripe.

Thanks Murph- definitely NOT driving and NOT dabbling in illegal activities. :cool:

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Originally Posted by BaileysMom

What's the real deal here... passports necessary while you're out and about, whether swimming/walking the beach/going to dinner, etc?

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I have never been asked for my passport other than at the airport. It wouldn't surprise me if hotels are supposed to ask to see them, but that's never happened to me. At cambios, I have used my driver's license as a photo ID. So I don't carry my passport around with me, but keep it in the hotel safe. My driver's license is plastic so less likely to get damaged.

I travel with a photocopy of my passport and my itinerary in each piece of luggage, including carryons. Having the photocopy will help should you lose your passport.

I don't carry my passport around in Jamaica. Unless you plan on getting arrested or in some other trouble I don't see the need. The photo backup is in case someone steals your actual passport, and that's not a bad idea at all.