Going to be in Negril in February for a week then a week Port Antonio. Thinking of a day trip to Kingston looking for information, pro's and con's. Is it safe . Your thoughts?
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Going to be in Negril in February for a week then a week Port Antonio. Thinking of a day trip to Kingston looking for information, pro's and con's. Is it safe . Your thoughts?
Where are you staying in Port Antonio?
We're doing the same trip but not for a couple years
We are staying at Great Huts
We did a day trip day trip to Kingston last February. It was a long day, leaving Negril about 6am and returning about 8pm. It was worth it. Never felt threatened or unsafe, but then again we didn't go running through Tivoli Gardens either. We went to Trenchtown, the National Stadium and out to Port Royal. The highlight of the trip was the Bob Marley House on Hope Road. If you are a fan at all it is a must. Wouldn't do it every trip, but I'm damned glad we did it.
It certainly wont be as long of a trip from PA as it was from negril from M&M. I would hazard a guess, that if you left for Kingston from the huts by 7am , you'd be there by 10am latest. Probably could get there by 9-930 with no traffic or stops.
So plan for 2-3 hours each way.
What about safety
No idea. Never been, but I asked a local about the trip time when I was in PA.Quote:
Originally Posted by takinitslow
We did it ..with De Music Buzz (out of Negril)
By far one of the best times ..We've had in Ja.
Safety ...Not an issue
Check them out ...You can't go wrong -long day -yes
A day trip to Kingston can be wonderfully educational...it's a side of Jamaica that most visitors never see. We've taken friends that have loved it and some that were very intimidated by a large city.
You can visit Devon House (the grounds are absolutely beautiful), Bob Marley Museum and Port Royal (have lunch at Gloria's)...this would all make for a nice trip there. Note. De Music Buzz is no longer running tours.
As far as safety...we're there almost every month for a couple of days at a time. I would say that it's like any large city...you need to stay out of areas that are not recommended...Jamaicans are also very good at stopping you from wandering around areas you shouldn't.
Have fun!
Kingston is cool and has kinda a big city feel to it.....New Kingston is really nice......Port Royal is out past the Kingston Airport
most people don't know it......but you can take a route taxi to the Sav Bus Park and then get a direct Bus/Van to Kingston for $900J's one way....$500J's for kids
leaves Sav bus park around 11AM and dem make one stop at a gas station half way to Kingston.......takes about 4 1/2 hours......
only meant for the well traveled traveler......most would like the comfort of the Knutsford Express Bus instead but dat around $3,000J's one way
Cool Runnings, Marko
Is there another tour operator that does the route and sights that De Music-Buzz was doing?
I second what Bnewb said. Use the same common sense you would use in any new city. If you go to Devon House you MUST have the ice cream and take the tour. national Gallery also good. Lunch at Hot Pot in new Kingston is good. Not to be missed. Enjoy!
Many tour operators can offer the same route...but I don't know of any drivers able to offer the same price as De Music Buzz.Quote:
Originally Posted by EdmontonGuy
Totally agree with the above. Kingston is not to be missed. National Gallery and Emancipation Park also good. If you go to Devon House you MUST try the ice cream and do the tour. Hot Pot restaurant in New Kingston for good Jamaican food. Scotchies in New Kingston for good jerk. Just use the same common sense that you would in any strange city.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
A reasonable price and being able to get the full day in is essential. I wonder what happened with de music buzz and where the actual bus ended up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
Sorry to hear about the De Music Buzz ...
@ $100.00 US ..per person ..it was a great deal -
I recommend that you never take the country bus to kingston. It's a white knuckle ride you will see your life flash before your eyes. Also picture yourself in a sardine can for 4 hours. I always take knutsford bus $2400 ja about $22 U.S. if you buy your ticket one day earlier. I always felt safe there in 6 trips only 1 person begged from me. Took the country bus from Tivoli gardens sat there for 2 hours and it was like no one even noticed me.
I went to Kingston in May. Grants Pen. I never felt scared at all. Caymanas Park was a nice picnic spot with a river to swim in. Went there with a dear friend I first met in Negril. We visited his family there and had a great time! Nice drive through countryside
De Music Buzz was a long day trip - which is what most people would want. There, visit to the Yard, a few spots and back. The itinerary that De Music Buzz had was perfect. Hopefully someone else will step in and deliver a similar tour.