negril in febuary - via a diffferent airport (kin)

i have a couple of penpal friends in Kingston - that i have never met in person - and this year i was thinking of changing that.. i have been contemplating flying in to Kingston this year - meeting up and visiting my friends, maybe check out hope gardens and port royal, and then aftrer a couple days - making my way over to negril.. (kingston flights are actually a bit cheaper)

Have any of you guys flown in to Kingston? should i find a hotel IN Kingston?? or would i be better (safer) in the blue mountains or somewhere else? back after all the viloence over Dudas, my Kingston friend said Coronation market wasnt safe for her - let alone tourists - but recently she said she shopped there - and it was ok...

any opinions on this? i know the whole island has allot to offer - but is Kingston something i should just avoid?? has anyone been there recently? what was the vibe towards tourists?

thanks

Sounds like a good reason to start in Kingston to me. I would take the oportunity to see Kingston area as you have some one to show you where to go or not to.

Get the hotel in New Kingston, some places to visit Devon House, Emancipation Park, Port Royal, Strawberry Hill, the view overlooking Kingston is to die for. If time permits take a bike tour of the Blue Mountain or hike it. This experience will have you falling inlove with Jamaica all over again.

Kingston is the place where the parties don't stop

Also, is there a shared ride service from Kingston to negril? Not route taxis with my luggage, butmore of a shared transfer from Norman Manly Int. To negril? Any other suggestions on getting over to negril.. I will fly home from mbj, so I got that covered..

don't forget the bob marley museum

i think i read about bus (luxury) service to negril from kingston - let me check with some folks and get back to you on that

Yes, there is a bus service now, its called South Coast or something like that? Comes to Negril. Google

I did this route in July - I actually prefer flying into KIN - no major hassles, no huge lines - Definitely a lot to check out in the Kingston area, and worth a visit - Depending on what price range you are seeking, there are a ton of hotel options. Two I would recommend would be the Liguanea Club - right behind Emancipation Park, yet quiet and doesn't feel like you are in the city at all - great grounds. The other is Cityview, which is set up on the hill and is just beautiful -

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Originally Posted by jasperpso

i have a couple of penpal friends in Kingston - that i have never met in person - and this year i was thinking of changing that.. i have been contemplating flying in to Kingston this year

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depending on how long your reach is.........
would tell you if this visit in Kingston is worthwhile or not........
to check out Kingston you should leave yourself a fair amount of time.........
think anything under four days in the Kingston area wouldn't be fair to yourself.......
plus you are going to loose the better part of a day traveling to Negril...........
so that is close to a week you'll be tying up on vacation with your Kingston stop...........
so if you are going for ten days or more..........
like maybe close to a week in Kingston and close to a week in Negril......
I'd say most definitely go for it..........
this guy wouldn't do Kingston and Negril unless I was in Jamaica for two weeks or more......

just be very careful in Kingston and stick mostly to New Kingston........
some of the worse conditions and poverty you'll ever see in your life will be in Kingston if you make that wrong turn..........
and yes Kingston is the Wild, Wild West when it comes to partying.........nah tru

Cool Runnings, Marko

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Originally Posted by Marko

depending on how long your reach is.........
would tell you if this visit in Kingston is worthwhile or not........

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well i am not booked yet, and not 100% but looking at 8 or 9 nights..
But - i am sure spending the afternoon and a full day in kingston would give me time for a nice dinner with my friends, a couple night checking out the clubs, and a full day to go around kingston.. yes - i am sure i could give it more time and have a great time there - but i want to give negril some time too.. so on day 3 i would get up early and head to negril - if i leave early enough - should be able to get to negril for a late lunch, then 6 nights in negril - first time solo.. i dont think it sounds too bad..

i have always wanted to go to the Bob Marley museum, so i will have to work that in - possibly on the first afternoon.. i have always opted not to because it was just too much for one day, the way i am kinda looking at this is - this way i only have to make the trip one way to negril - not hafta go from negril to kingston and then back in 1 day..

if you have the money for it, you could fly from Kingston to Negril

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Originally Posted by airportworker

if you have the money for it, you could fly from Kingston to Negril

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I wonder what that costs.. probably more then I would WANT to afford..

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Originally Posted by jasperpso

I wonder what that costs.. probably more then I would WANT to afford..

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Air Jamaica express fly from kingston to Negril the one i have seen is $60 one way, not sure if that is an old price, btw its 35 min flying time

Shoot, if it was under 100 that's the way I would go.. will have to look into that

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Originally Posted by airportworker

Air Jamaica express fly from kingston to Negril the one i have seen is $60 one way, not sure if that is an old price, btw its 35 min flying time

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Yeah...I'm thinking that's a really old price...airportworker.
I would be in Kingston regularly if that flight was available.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Yeah...I'm thinking that's a really old price...airportworker.
I would be in Kingston regularly if that flight was available.

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I agree, that sounds way to good to be true, however the 35 min flight would be awesome.. who books these flights? Any online quoting? I might go as high as say 150$ for convenience..

Last time I did the KIN-Negril drive it took 4 hours. Really only 2 1/2 more than it would be from MoBay. I say go for it.

It's a lovely drive too, through the city to the new toll highway then through some interesting towns then mountains and finally along the south coast for awhile. Add an hour or two and make some nice stops along the way....maybe some jerk on Spur Tree Hill or a detour down to Little Ochi in Alligator Pond or into Mandeville or a boat ride on Black River or a nice swim at Font Hill or something. Call it a tour day and enjoy the ride.

If you love Kingston you can stay longer, or plan a longer visit next time.

If you are looking to save $ and not hire a private driver, this would be a nice alternative:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...uto/auto5.html

There's a contact phone # at the bottom, in the comments. It looks rather like the Knutsford Express to me (which you could also take from New Kingston to MoBay for about the same $ and then have Clive's bring you to Negril, still cheap at under $50 altogether). This south coast express service is new and I don't know anyone who has used it yet, though.

There are scheduled flights between Kingston and MoBay - about $70 or a little less, I think. Air Jamaica and a small airline. Then drive to Negril. A flight to Negril would be very expensive for one person.

Remember to factor in time getting to the airport, although you could eat fresh fish in Port Royal and be at the airport quickly from there. Time getting your luggage in Mo Bay, getting your ride, and another hour+ to Negril. I would consider the bus as a very good alternative, the cheapest you will be able to do it.

I've only heard good things about the Knutsford Express, if that is who is doing the South Coast route.
I would encourage the Kingston trip - just as you have it planned. You'll be just fine. I spent quite a bit of time over 4 years as a solo woman in Kingston when I was working on a Medical project. I had a trusted driver to help watch over me, but I never felt unsafe.

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Originally Posted by Nurse Marcia

I've only heard good things about the Knutsford Express, if that is who is doing the South Coast route.

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It's a different company from what i gather. I'll vouch for the Knutsford any day but they don't do a south coast rote anymore.

That sounds perfect Ohliz, thanks for the link.. 2200j is reasonable for sure.. even says the bus has WiFi..

Does anyone know how long the South Coast bus takes to get to Kingston?

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Originally Posted by Nurse Marcia

Does anyone know how long the South Coast bus takes to get to Kingston?

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says they make a few stops, one is sav, and one in mandeville, and i think it said another.. i guess it depends on how long they stay at each stop.. otherwise i would guess drive time plus and hr or so.. i AM thinking i will try this out in february.. am interested if anyone can chime in and tell us..

I think the planes that fly Kingston/Mobay have luggage limitations...

Check out this website for info on flights via Jamaica Air Shuttle - just a bit higher than Air Jamaica, but not much depending on the day you fly.
Baggage allowance same as many international flights - one free bag not over 50 lbs and one carry on.

http://www.jamaicaairshuttle.com/the-community.html

Air Jamaica used to be the same as any international flight through MoBay. The plane was usually about half business people and half tourists or Jamaicans flying with luggage.

I used to like flying in and out of Tinson Pen - the smaller airport. Very little walking and you can get there half an hour ahead. Quick boarding, deplaning and luggage retrieval. Saves some time overall. And the flight is well worth the money for the scenery alone. Gorgeous to fly in low and slow when the weather is good. Everyone should try taking a small plane in Jamaica at least once -- for the experience.