Printable View
My wife and I are planning to travel around the island for 4 days. From MoBay, we're thinking of spending the first night in Runaway Bay, next 2 in Port Antonio, then 1 in Treasure Beach, then to Negril for 10 days.
Anyone have tips on:
1) how to get around (hire a different cab each leg? One driver for the 4 days? Route taxis?)
2) where to stop & what to see?
3) where to stay?
Thanks!
That's pretty ambitious, and you won't really be able to enjoy much on the way. I'd give myself another two days to complete the circuit, so you can really absorb what you're seeing.
Rupe-mon,
As TAH suggests a couple more days would be beneficial but technically you could accomplish it as you suggest. The only practical way in that scenario from my experience would be a rental car or one driver for 4 days. The Runaway Bay - PO wouldn't be too difficult but PO to TB would be a hike.
Thanks, friends!
Yes, I know that 2 more days would help a lot, but we chose to not cut into our Negril time any more, so we're committed to 4 days!
I've never rented a car in Jamaica - seems like that'd be quite a challenge for a right-side driver, no? I've done it before in England, but this is a bit different...
If I chose to hire a driver for 4 days, any recommendations? Maybe I should start a new thread on that. And what might I expect to pay?
By the way - the title on this post says "in 4 days" but I meant it to say "for 4 days" - we're actually going in Jan.
Thanks - Irie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by johng
Rupe-mon,
You might want to contact Linston, Captaind's son, on this board. I believe Linston is out of very close to Negril, he comes highly recommended by boardies as a great driver, tour guide but most importantly great person. Hope this helps,
John
Take 5 days and rent a car.
Seriously. You need at least one more day to get any real enjoyment out of what could be an awesome road trip around the island. Don't short change yourself for one more day in Negril!
Your circumnavigation of the island is a good one, but you need more time. I've done this twice over 10 days each time. I recommend that you rent a car at the very least. Almost certainly cheaper than a driver.
I totally agree that you need five days minimum. Seven would be better. Then there is the interior of the island with lush valleys and beautiful mountain views. Add a few more days if you want to experience that part of Jamaica.
Can you drive on the left?
Cap
driving on left is not as hard as ppl think . . . i find ja drivers very curtious to us white ppl . . . i think they are more scared of our driving than we are of theirs!! . . . . its the only way to really enjoy jamaica without a schedule . . . and you will always find a place to stay!!
Thanks again, all of you. I could consider adding another day, but please help me with where we should spend that extra day - in Port Antonio? Treasure Beach? Or somewhere else? Understand that we love beaches, and of course jerk, Red Stripe, reggae, & natural beauty.
Captaind/Linston - I've driven on the left in England, but not in Jamaica. That could be a totally different experience. And an experienced guide could be a big help. But our budget is not big, so maybe you could quote me a per-day price?
As an alternative, why wouldn't we just hire a cab at each stop to bring us to the next place?
consider the knutsford to get to most areas.
Knutsford will get you to most areas but the time line would be difficult on a big bus. Don't think PO - TB is an option with Knutsford??
Yeah, TB isn't an option on Knutsford as far as I'm aware.
To the OP. What I would do would be to rent a car in Mobay, drive the north coast road (in good shape, decent place to get the feel for driving in JA), stay the night in Ochi then move on to Portland. Stay a whole day and night in Portland to explore and enjoy the scenery. From there to Kingston, tour for the day and stay the night outside of the city, maybe a Blue Mtn trip... From there head down south coast hwy toward TB, stop at Little Ochi for some seafood and spend the day exploring, then on to TB to stay the night and the whole next day (again to explore, it's well worth it). Then head up into the hills to visit YS falls, Middle Quarters for some peppa swimp, stop at Bluefields on your way back toward Negril, maybe stay the night in Bluefields. Then on to Negril where you can enjoy the rest of your trip.
Fin.
I was scared to drive in Jamaica. But seriously, it's no problem mon. Stay to the left. You get used to it quickly. Follow the car in front of you, just not too close. Do the speed limit, they will pull a tourist over. I have been there, done that. Last trip I got my rental for the week for 180 bucks. I pay about 140 for my private airport transfers both ways. Was very convenient to have a car to run down to hilo, or drive out to the west end, or just go exploring.
Also drove to PA from negril from honeymoon. If you can handle Negril to Lucea.... you're golden. It's literally the hardest part of the north coast. After MoBay, it's basically as close to a highway as you can get.
I've driven around much of the Island, chanting "stay left, stay left" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nevertheless, I did lose focus going into a traffic circle from Grange down to Sav - instead of exiting left, I went into the traffic circle and came out on the right into a slow-motion head on collision. No one was hurt but I did mash up an unfortunate Jamaicans car. He was very gracious considering the circumstances. Fully insured (with the loss of $1,000 deductible). I'll always remember how hospitable the local families were to my wife by the side of the road as I spent 4 hours with the police at the station in the Grange dealing with the aftermath. I highly recommend the trip - just take your time and stay very alert. Port Antonio is spectacular -- I'd recommend a stop in Mandeville to break up the drive to TB. I think we stayed at the Mandeville Inn. Best way to get out and see the Island.
Great suggestions and stories, all. I'm now considering this alternative: drive or have a driver drive us from MBJ to Runaway Bay, then Port Antonio, spend 3-4 nights there (including a day trip into Blue Mtn. Nat'l Park), then head back to Negril through MBJ. Keep it to the north side this trip. We've been to Treasure Beach, and not much interest in visiting Kingston, but could do the southern trip another day. Sound like a good plan?
Thanks again - hope to meet you guys someday! Let me know if any of you will be in Negril in mid Jan.
you could take the knutsford from mbj to ochi....get a driver to take you to runaway bay ( i have an excellent 1 i could suggest) then take the knutsford from ochi to pa get a driver there or take route taxis. then knutsford from pa to negril via ochi. you could do southern route,coming or going, a little long but you'll have gone around the island. (mbj to kingston to ocho) you can only get to pa from ochi on knutsford.
i always come into kingston,to ochi, to pa back to ochi then negril.
I'd visit Blue Mtn Peak while on that side of the island if I were you, that's something still on my list to do.
Heck, the drive from Mobay to TB is stunning. I can only imagine what driving in the rest of the island is like! I liked driving in Ja. It was like organized chaos in Negril which to me was better than Minnesota passive-aggressive-dumb-ass. Lh driving is no problem until an emergency situation, in which we automatically go to the right. Oops! The problem with renting a car is you have to pay attention to the road and miss a lot stuff. I know its probably not an option, but I am a biker, and to ride motorcycles on the roads less traveled, getting lost, meeting locals was very memorable... I agree with most the others, a road trip is not about the destination,its the adventure getting there. Take your time, enjoy yourself. Negril will always be there, A round trip in Jamaica may only happen once in a lifetime.
there are a lot more cons than pros for driving in Jamaica....mi won't do it
Jamaican drivers could be considered certified maniacs and you always gotta be on your guard.....lol
mi suggest hiring out to someone like Clives Transportation that specializes in driving around the island......
better to be safe than sorry......yah mon
Cool Runnings, Marko
renting a car and driving yourself is the most economical . the north coast roads are good . skipping TB , this trip , makes more sense , you can easily , and should , spend at least two nights in PA . A day at long bay beach and reach falls , another day at Winefred beach , a stop at Boston . You kinda need a car , as things are spread out . rooms can be pricey , but budget friendly can be had . Take a drive up in the high country . you will love it . Spoil yourself. do it . you wont regret it .
i agree with pine tree about renting a car being the most economical way to travel around the island . . .
check vi's posts about some very economical lodging in porty . . .
While in Port Antonio, go up into Blue Mountains to Holywell Park. You can look to the South Coast and Kingston Harbor on a clear day. It's well worth the trip up and back to PA.
Just a final "Thank you" to all of you who gave me tips on this thread. Because of your advice, we will be focusing on Port Antonio all 4 days, with side-trips into the Blue Mountains and to the nearby beaches & falls. We'll catch Treasure Beach next time. Thanks - Irie!
I'd still recommend doing at least one full day and night in TB. It's a special place, very unique spot in Jamaica. Everything there is a little bit different than the rest of the island. If it were me, I'd split that into two nights in both PA and TB.
Good luck.
I remembered something else - I combined the trip to Holywell with a stop at a coffee factory - at Junction, I think. Very nice experience and some of the best Blue Mountain I've had.