Spring Break

Is Negril still a big Spring Break location for college kids??? I remember several years ago an MTV piece showing some really crazy stuff, kids were really wrecked.

no, it is not nearly as crazy and crowded as in years of MTV. You still see students however, and parties but not the over-the-top stuff.

For the past few years, you would not be able to tell the difference between spring break time and the regular busy season. I think a couple small hotels (Fun Holiday?) offer spring break packages, but their presence is barely noticeable.

The heyday of spring break in Negril, was pre-9/11 when students could easily travel to Jamaica without a passport.

I go every year last week of Feb and the first week of Mar and I can tell spring break is starting because of the noticeable change in the amount of young people on the beach not like there is more people just a definatly younger vibe starts that first week of march and its very noticeable every year.

Probably the only reason anyone would feel a difference in the few more college age students is because the older crowd still thinks there is a Spring Break. Back in 2000, there were over 5000 students in Negril in any one of the 5 usual weeks of Spring Break. Last year, for those same 5 weeks there was less than 1000 students total - maybe 250 during the busiest week.

There is really no spring break in Negril anymore.

Probably the only reason anyone would feel a difference in the few more college age students is because the older crowd still thinks there is a Spring Break. Back in 2000, there were over 5000 students in Negril in any one of the 5 usual weeks of Spring Break. Last year, for those same 5 weeks there was less than 1000 students total - maybe 250 during the busiest week.

There is really no spring break in Negril anymore.

Hi Rob,

What was it in 2000 that brought so many Spring Breakers to Negril (yes the beach, the vibe, etc..) was it like Mike_D says before 9-11 the ease of travel or was it the MTV hype that had discovered Negril??? I first traveled to Jamaica (Negril - Red Ground) in 1975 while in Ft Lauderdale was not into the scene and saw in a travel agency window the famous Jamaica Tourist Board poster of the beautiful girl. Bought an AJ ticket In Miami and that was it

John,

The marketing by the Spring Break tour companies back in the 90's and early 2000's was the reason there was so many coming to Jamaica.

The decline was caused by a combination of factors. The necessity of a passport after 9/11 had an impact. But the main cause was the simple fact that Spring Break was getting out of hand. There were many complaints from patrons, hotel owners, police and even the government officials. When the Tour companies were asked to tone it down, they decided to stop marketing Jamaica as much as other destinations. And MTV was actually asked to leave the property they were staying.

thanks for starting this thread.. I have always avoided March and April to avoid spring breakers..

Thanks Rob & sonja,

Makes sense Rob. By the look of the MTV shows it was off the charts. We all like having a fun time but I bet there was more than a few alcohol poisonings and deaths???

sonja, I confess I was a Spring Breaker my first trip to JA but Negril was not a big break destination then. Lot's of Key Westers thought FLA got too commercial and found out about Negril. Not sure where you hail from but March and April are really nice times in JA. Lot's of sun , little rain fall and if you are from a cold climate the perfect time to shed cabin fever.

johng,

Geez man, no one died from alcohol poisoning... I know some felt like they had - but please no rumors or speculation...

Rob,

no rumors or speculation, just asking. I have been around college campuses and Fraternity Houses enough to see how dangerous alcohol poisoning is and what can happen. From what I remember from clips of Spring Break in Negril it was pretty intense and knowing that back in the 90's early 2000 ambulances and hospitals were few and far between. There is a local college in the town where I live and on any given Fri / Sat night there are numerous emergencies where kids are taken to ER's

Doing funnels of Overproof punch can't be too good for the brain or anything else for that matter

Johng,

Been there, seen that. I was in a Frat at Ohio State... need I say more?

That was why the Jamaican shareholders asked the Spring Break companies to tone it down - they didnt want that tragedy to happen. Even the few places that were benefiting the most were getting disappointed at the activities. No one really misses it at all. The type of students coming here now are much more respectful of themselves and others.

Yes Rob,

I stopped in Columbus one summer on my way to CA and stayed at the OS chapter of my frat!!! That was an experience. At my chapter in Vermont two kids were wasted on an upper roof (old Victorian house), a guy and a girl sitting on a couch and they toppled off backwards killing the girl and paralyzing the guy. The charter got pulled and that was that.

I have done my share of drinking in Negril too, no angel by any means. Also had to take a friend to the hospital in Sav once in an emergency (unrelated to alcohol or drugs) had to catch a mini bus and all the staff at the hospital were Cuban and didn't speak English. At the time (1978) there was no health care facility in Negril although I understand that there is at least one hospital in Negril now. My point is that care must be taken regardless of location!!! Rick's Cafe a good example (cliff jumping).

Johng,

There is a government health clinic in Negril, along with assorted private practitioners, but there is no actual hospital in Negril yet. There are plans for one (or two) to be built in the near future, but as of today, a taxi to Sav is still the fastest option. But the excellent Cuban docs there do speak English now.

Rob,

Thanks for the info. Considering how many visitors you get these days it seems that the health care system is working. The Cuban doctors in Sav were very friendly and qualified they just didn't speak English, lots of hand language and smiles were the method of communication.

By the way nice job with administering this board!!! Seems like a good bunch of folks that contribute