Reflections, as a first time in a long time.

I have never done this type of report but I received so much help from this site planning our trip that I feel obligated to give a little back. We just returned yesterday from a 16 day trip which was our first time back to Jamaica in 25 years and the reason for that wasn't clear until our plane ride home yesterday.

Picked up at Montego Bay Airport by Ashton Pitt, very safe reliable driver who is both proud of his business and his country.

First 4 on the cliffs:
Catch A Falling Star , beautiful place with the most friendly accommodating staff, but they do have a barking dog problem at night.

Ate at:
Ivan's...the best of all the places we ate, and no more expensive than the other similar type hotel restaurants in Negril
Sips & Bites, great food really cheap ...brown stew chicken is a must try
Eddies De-Baar ...fun afternoon for drinks and really good Jerk
Ras Rodys, good
Sharks, good
Push Cart, very disappointing food and overpriced
Went to the Tuesday night concert at 3 Dives, great fun and although we didn't eat, lots of locals and tourist were enjoying the food.

Next 6 on the Beach at Coco La Palm

Great Hotel, large clean rooms, great pool, and centrally located on the beach.

Ate at:

Montanas, great food, 1 app, 2 mains and 3 red strip for $24
Kenny's Italian Café, very good meal
Best in the west, very good
Idle Awhile, good
sweet spot, good
Sun Beach, okay
Dean the pork guy okay
Mikey's Variety good patties

Had drinks at:
Yellow Bird, the best
Tony's , unique and worth going
drifters, good for the music, Friday and Sunday afternoon
Margaretiville, biggest tourist rip off ever, 1 red strip and 1 bottle of water $9

Last 5 at Jakes at Treasure Beach

Obviously a very unique place but some rooms are very small and have no A/C. If quiet and peaceful is what you are looking for this is your place.

Ate At:
Jakes, very good food
Jack Sprats, this became our go to, the best Conch Soup for $2 a bowl and excellent pizza
Wai ki Kie ... really good $4 omelet
Good Vibz....really good breakfast sandwich and her daily salads are exceptional
Diners Delight ..good food and meals are $4 to $6

And drinks at Eggys Beach Bar .... good Vibe


In Summary; the suggestion to break the trip up between the cliffs and beach was invaluable for first timers to get a feel for both and the same argument can be made for taking in Treasure Beach.

It all comes together on the Plane ride home yesterday: I got talking to a guy who was asking us about our trip and he said he had spent the week in Montego Bay (like we had many years ago) and he said he doubted if they would return to Jamaica as he could not stand all the haggling they got which obviously was our reason for not returning for so many years. I kinda grinned and said that I was happy to tell him that that was not our experience in Negril, and they should give it a try and that we will be returning very soon.

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site in the past, as it has all been very helpful to us.
Respect

Nice report. Thanks for the food ratings. Glad you had a great time.

Great report, I like how you brought it all together at the end, I hope the guy on the plane gives it another try like you did. I have a few friends that are skeptical of Jamaica because of what they hear. I might've thought that too but Negril was my first trip as an adult when I was 19. Been back 10 times now and still lovin Negril as so many on here are.

Definitely right about other places in Jamaica, just not the same vibe as Negril. I hope you don't wait another 25 years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lefty

I have never done this type of report but I received so much help from this site planning our trip that I feel obligated to give a little back. We just returned yesterday from a 16 day trip which was our first time back to Jamaica in 25 years and the reason for that wasn't clear until our plane ride home yesterday.

---

Welcome home

Cap

Great report. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the reflections, you were able to give us all the information needed as to where to eat and where to stay, we would LOVE to stay at Treasure Beach one day, we've been to Jake's and the surrounding area on a number of occasions but we've yet to stay there (only day trips).

We're heading to Negril on Friday & we are very excited to check out all the great old and new places.

The steps taken to control the hagglers was definitely noticed by us last year and I am glad to hear that it is holding up:) Thanks for the report - tomorrow puts us into the single digits and I am reading every post and getting more excited than a kid for Christmas:)

Nice! Sounds like a much better experience for you. Highfive.... You picked some great places to stay too and that makes a huge difference. So when's your next trip? ;)

Great report Lefty!!

Islander (Vancouver Island, Victoria, Powell River, Whistler, etc... "F***ing Awesome") Between home and JA you got it covered!!! You should check out Sunset Resort and Villa's in Treasure Beach if you are there. Much less expensive than Jakes (two doors up) but awesome place. Enjoy Negril and JA!!!


Attachment 39820Attachment 39821Attachment 39822

Hey JohnG, Thanks for the Treasure Beach advise. Yes I am completely aware of how fortunate I am to be able to live in what I believe to be the most beautiful place on earth AND visit my favourite Caribbean country & town. I'm from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island (central island).

Only a few more days now for us (we arrive Saturday).

Peace,
Islander ~ Brynn

Hi Islander - Brynn,

I was in the hockey business as a player and later coach and did a lot of recruiting in coastal BC. taking ferries to VI and up the coast!!! BC kids were honest hard working and great players. I remember watching Paul Kariya play for the Penticton Panthers and them meeting with his parents in West Vancouver. Nanaimo had a team (BCJHL) too. Wow the Island was / is one of my favorite places on earth too, as well as Jamaica. Negril is very cool!! The Jamaican Tourist Board used to have a slogan "Jamaica, more than a beach, a country" which is very true.

If you make it to Treasure Beach please stop at Sunset Resort and Villa's for at least a Red Stripe and say Hi to Kory South (Owner) for me!!!

Have a great and safe trip!!!

Regards,
John PS http://www.jtbonline.org/JTB/Pages/DiscoverJamaica.aspx

Glad you came back to Negril. Great trip report with the food and drink comments. It helps the newbies and the old timers like myself check out places to drink and dine. I've been staying on the Negril beach for years and have experienced most of what you commented on. You mentioned Dean the Pork guy, is this the Dean that walks by the Yellowbird most days between 11:00am – 11:30 am? If so, I found it interesting that you thought his food was okay. Most people who taste his pork think it is amazing. A one of a kind taste sensation. I and my friends enjoy it daily while on the beach. It’s one of the many things that that make the stay on the Negril Beach special.

Not bashing your opinion here, just wanted to share another to let others know they have to try it. If they can get it before he’s sold out.

The Iguana.

Dean has the silver box? Yes, I love his pork.

Thanks for the report! The pics of Treasure Beach makes me wish we had booked a week in TB as well as Negril for February. We've stayed a couple of times just down the road from Jakes at Calabash House. Nice area of the coast. Eggy's is a great likkle beach bar. Kind of has that edge of civilization feeling.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeyNYC

Dean has the silver box? Yes, I love his pork.

---

Yes, and yes.

Also a fan of Deans !

Hi Iguana ....yes that's the guy, he usually got to coco around noon and I guess because we were early season he still had half a box left. And yes, you are right I should have said it was very good pork but what took it back a bit for me was how little you got ( about 6 little pieces, not even a 1/4 lb.) for $5 but I see by some recent posts that may be the same issue at Best in the West. But if you like pork it's a must try.