Bringing our older teenagers and a few questions...

Good Morning! I have a few questions and thank you in advance for your time and help! We have never brought our kids on our Negril vacations with us and are thinking about doing it this spring...why??!! lol. So here is the question/issue, my husband thinks we should go all inclusive so we don't have to worry about walking around paying for all the food/drinks/activities all day but I love the smaller places and want them to experience Negril the way we do...Is there enough to do, and some examples please, of things to do for our boys (16 & 20 yrs) hanging at beach all day is only going to go so far. What does your family do on vacation?
And another question is, and it sounds very stupid, but how do you carry your money around? With just two of us, it was no big deal, but with four people to feed and entertain, I think I may have to come up with another plan.
And where, on the beach, would you recommend we stay with teens/adult kids? We will stay in one room (or adjourning rooms, if the price is right) with a.c. and kitchenette. Thanks again! Happy New Year!!!

We have been taking our kids since they was 3 & 5. They are 12 & 14. KIDS are like kings and queens in Jamaica. There's TONS to do in Jamaica. We like to do local stuff, don't like the tourist trap. IMO- We do Mayfield Falls & Roaring River. Going to Jam West. OH YEA!! Cliff diving at Rick's. Or just riding around in the country sight seeing. If we run across a cricket or football game. Kids and I ask to join, the answer is usually ya mon! Be adventurous! Snorkeling from Rhodes Resort. IMO. Hit up some web casts with Rob and Lisa meet boardies. Canoe has good snorkeling and looking for sea glass. There's lots of stuff to explore in Jamaica. We love Jamaica as a family. Once ya go then your kids and you know. Just my opinions. Opps, where to stay. I forgot that. :)- Pending on your budget. There's a will there a way on that too.

Vince,
Thanks so much, you gave me a lot of great ideas...the Mayfield Falls and Canoe for snorkeling would be awesome. Do you know if Canoe supplies snorkeling stuff?

Canoe, doesn't rent snorkel equipment. We usually just take our own snorkel gear. Just put it in your carry on baggage. Mayfield Falls is a IRIE waterfalls that you walk through. Canoe is on the top of the charts for good food, drinks, music sea glass searching and on Thursday a steel pan band there on Thursday on Negril.com live webcast.

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Originally Posted by jesswade

Vince,
Thanks so much, you gave me a lot of great ideas...the Mayfield Falls and Canoe for snorkeling would be awesome. Do you know if Canoe supplies snorkeling stuff?

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Hi, Canoe is a bar/restaurant on the beach; so I wouldn't expect them to have snorkeling stuff; I may be wrong though.

I second Mayfield Falls, it was a fun half day trip and wasn't very physical at all. Just bring some good water shoes.

~Moose

I second Mayfield Falls, it was a fun half day trip and wasn't very physical at all. Just bring some good water shoes.<< Yep! They "try" to rent you some shoes there. Just take some cheap water shoes for traction. I walked it bare footed. But that's me a REALLY ADVENTERIOUS though. THey have good little jumping spots from trees along the way too. :)

I like to carry my money in a little waterproof capsule that hangs around my neck. That way if you go swimmin you dont have wet loot or have to worry about the bills swimming away on you!

And ahhhhh to be 16 or 20 in Negril... I would have LOVED it if my parents brought me there at that age- you guys rock for doing so! Ahhh... The trouble I would get into... the stories I would bring home with me... oh wait never mind all that! bahahaha

Hello Vince,

A Happy New Year to All! We agree that Mayfield Falls is a beautiful climb up soft rolling falls with a Rain Forest setting, plus you engage in some spectacular scenery up the mountain and see the wonders of Jamaican life. YS Falls is also a nice pick, with views of a working farm from a train ride, interaction with the falls and even engage in the zipling course which is safe and great for novices. Take a ride into Ocho Rios for a hike up Blue Hole Falls (AKA Secret Falls) and end with a fun tubing ride on the river with Calypso Tubing. Soak up some history at the Bob Marley Museum, take in the night tour at Rose Hall Great House ( moderately scary but fun) and swim in the Luminescent Lagoon at nightfall for a spectacular show. There many options, if you are willing to drive out and explore. Check out our website www.colemankjamminjamaicatours.com

We would be more than happy to customise a tour that suits your families needs. Happy exploring!

Im sure your kids would love Dolphin Cove! it would be fun for them to swim with the dolphins. I would suggest White sands, Grand Pineapple, Rayon, Rooms, or maybe Travellers as a resort.

Murph - I'm just trying to get thru the stories from around here, lol!!! I am doing grey touch up on my hair every other week as it is, hahah! Thank you for the capsule idea, good one!
Jaherring - I never even thought of Dolphin Cove, that's a definite! And I will check out the hotels you listed, their grandparents have spoiled them and their tastes in lodging are a trip!
Cosmic - thanks for the water shoes info, we will have to pick some up.

16 and 20 are practically grown ups. I think you shouldn't worry too much about them being entertained. At 17 I was travelling alone and had no trouble finding things to do. Just send them to Margaritaville with $50 each and let them hit on the tourist girls that pull up in the catamarans.

at the risk of my post not being helpful, I use my Jamaican money clip (binder clip) to hold my bills in my pocket. To me it feels less conspicuous than a dangley thing around my neck that says I have money in here. Sorry to the merchants if I have wet bills, their choice to take it or leave it.

Please don't support Dolphin Cove.

My son is 17 and this will be his 15th trip I think? He entertains himself quite well, we hardly ever do anything off the beach, there is enough to keep us entertained. But as others have noted, there are options.

Check out the 1 BR Suite at SeaSplash - there is full kitchen, good patio space and living area - so you won't be tripping over each other. Ask for one with a loft - that way the kids can sleep upstairs and all their stuff can be out of the way too. You might not want to cook, but with four people I would imagine the full size refrigerator will come in handy. Don't let the price online scare you off - make a deal via email with manager Mr. Gordon.

of course- the capsule also keeps other items dry- that we'll just say- need to stay dry

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Originally Posted by TAH

Please don't support Dolphin Cove.

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+1

You can often see dolphins swimming along the West End. Let the kids jump in and swim with the dolphins in their environment. My wife did it and they engaged her for quite some time.

Murph-gotcha!!!! Thanks everyone for your ideas.
Any thoughts on Tree house resort for our stay?

Don't forget there is a waterslide park in Negril.

volunteer at St. Anthony's Kitchen. it will be the highlight of your trip.

Sonja- u are so right! I love this site, where else can you get such great ideas and hear others experiences? !
Got activities covered now where to stay...we like the idea of a pool. Travellers and tree house look good.

Y.S. Falls has a zip line as well as the falls to walk/swim through...Sea Star Inn has deep sea fishing charters just give them a call. Xtabi has snorkeling and cliff jumping, bar and restaurant with good food....they rent snorkeling equip I believe. There is also Parasailing, mountain bike riding trails.....as you can see they will be happy. Negril Beach Club Condos have a 2 bedroom apartment available with cooking facilities.

TAH if you don't enjoy dolphin cove that is ok. Some folks like to do more than lay on the beach and smoke dope and guzzle beer. My kids had a blast at Dolphin Cove and so do millions of other visitors to Jamaica.

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Originally Posted by jesswade

Any thoughts on Tree house resort for our stay?

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Tree House is a decent place.

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Originally Posted by Jaherring

TAH if you don't enjoy dolphin cove that is ok. Some folks like to do more than lay on the beach and smoke dope and guzzle beer. My kids had a blast at Dolphin Cove and so do millions of other visitors to Jamaica.

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Hey thanks for assuming that you have a clue what I do on vacation. I don't drink beer, and I dislike the beach. I'm an active traveler, thanks.
But we should all just totally ride jet ski's where everyone swims and snorkels, and swim with dolphins that have been captured from their pods in the ocean and then corraled into a tiny little artificial habitat, because the kids will have a blast! Soon come! SMH, man. You are pretty out of touch, to be mild about it. You should look up what the rest of the pod does when one gets captured and put into a place like "dolphin cove", maybe it would wake you up a little, but I doubt it after having read your comments here and other places the past couple years.

/don't ban me Rob

Like I said....if you don't like it...don't go. How hard is that??

I don't. I will encourage others to do the same. I will also go out of my way to explain, and educate people as to why they should not go either. They only remain in business because of people who either do not care about the reality of how they operate, or are just ignorant, or both. I'm not sure which is worse...

Any way back to the older teenagers:eek:. You can check with some local churches and see if they need some volunteer help around there church. Kinda getting the kids on some hands on labor, like painting, cleaning up with a church group. That would be a experience, they can take back home with them. JMO

Jesswade,

This past June 2015 spent a week at Coco La Palm with my Girlfriend and her two adult children 20 and 18. The kids had a blast and the total trip including airfare, hotel, transportation all meals and entertainment, including a house sitter back in Boston was under $8,000.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...n-to-the-beach

Enjoy,

VVHT

Robin - I didn't know about Sea Star/fishing charter, they would love that & maybe I get a massage while they are at it ;) and zip lining sounds like fun. Does anyone schedule/pay for this stuff before they get to Negril or is it see how you feel and book it while visiting?

Does anyone know if Coco La Palm is a good one to bring teens to?

VVHT - I am just reading your post, thanks!!!

My biggest complaint about Dolphin Cove is the price! I think I had to pay $45 just to watch/take pictures of my wife who was charged something like $140 to swim with the dolphins but she just HAD to do it because they are so cute and lovable.

You can always call Sea Star in advance to book the charter......Zip lining can be done on the spot when you go to YS..there are many taxis that will be pleased to take you and wait around at the falls till you are ready to leave....just discuss prices in advance....They will have a blast ..don't worry about them....

I found a great little mini road trip that would be right up you alley. It's called Blue Hole Mineral springs. Its in a little town called Brighton, which is about a thirty minute drive from
deep west end out of Negril.
The little ride in itself will give you and your boys a nice look at some country out of the Negril area. Once you get there the Blue hole is a large hole that the boys jump into, and can swim. It is quite a jump,
Theres also a large mineral springs swimming pool for your pleasure if jumping is not your thing... :)
If you want to get an idea of what it is, you can you tube Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Negril, your boys will love it. When the time comes, pm me...I have the perfect driver who will get you there, stay with
you and bring you back for a great price........

Thanks jojo p!

I don't worry about money on vacation. I work very hard all year so that we can enjoy and splurge when we travel. Yea, it wasn't cheap, but to US it was well worth it and would visit again. My grandson just turned 10 and he will love it Im sure.

Treehouse has a large suite that has a separate bedroom, and in the main room, 2 murphy beds that would be good for the kids. Great property - and the room includes breakfast buffet, which is terrific and would help fill up those boys every morning. We stay next door at SeaSplash, but have breakfast at Treehouse nearly every day because there is a lot to choose from, and you can nearly wait till dinner for next meal (ok maybe a patty or so on the beach in between ;;). They have nice pool.

Mrs. Wilson, thanks so much, that's just the thing I was hoping to hear! And the breakfast buffet sounds like the way to go because they can eat!!! lol

I really appreciate everyone's feedback.

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Originally Posted by jesswade

Any thoughts on Tree house resort for our stay?

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We are staying at Treehouse with our three teens (15, 15 & 17) in March. Their buffet alone is going to save us a TON!

Jesswade, since we have a trip coming soon, I'm completely willing to spend hours discussing Negril ;; Here is more than you asked for about the buffet. Usually they have hot porridge and sometimes more than one kind. Could be grits and/or corn meal porridge, which is slightly sweet. Then 3/4 hot items - one will usually be callaloo, one will be some jamaican special meat item - everything from bacon to brown stew chicken to akee and salt fish. And usually the delicious fried dumplings. THen there is an omelette station and a waffle area. And finally, a variety of bread and sweet breads/cakes. I think I covered it all.

If you need to connect to the real world, there is very reliable internet connection at Treehouse too, which is how I spend time during breakfast, getting a little work out of the way.

jessswade - my husband and I and our 2 daughters, 21 and 24, will be going to Coco la Palm next week, staying for a week - first time in Jamaica. I did lots of research, and decided on CLP for a number of reasons, but mostly because of the beach, location, 2 pools, jaccuzzi, and it seems like it would be a great family place with activity enough to also keep our daughters occupied. We opted to stay in a beachfront villa in the older section. The one we're staying in has a bedroom, and another partial bedroom partitioned off from the rest of the main living area, where the girls will stay. There is a full and a partial bath, kitchenette and patio. If you haven't already decided where you are going to stay by the 24th when I return, I'll be happy to give you my comments about your experience!

I think I am going to get a Jamaicatravelsaver.com card. Check it out you may be interested in 1 or 2.