One Week to Go and Getting Excited...

All of the sudden, we're getting ready to head to Negril! This will be our first trip to Jamaica, and my husband and I and our two daughters, 21 and 24, will be staying a week at Coco la Palm. We've arranged for Kingsley of Take Care Tours to transport us and he'll also lend us a local phone while we're there. We'll definitely want to spend plenty of time chilling on the beach, in the water paddle board and floating, and walking the beach to discover the bars and restaurants. I'm also trying to come up with a list some restaurant and excursions/places to go, just to refer to if/when we find ourselves motivated to do something more than that. Here is what I have so far, and I would appreciate any additions or comments:

Excursions: Mayfield Falls (1/2 day trip, right?); Half Moon Bay/Calico Jack's (Is that another 1/2 day trip?); Ricks to watch the cliff diving; One Love Bar Crawl (already have reservations). Should Blue Hole to be on the list (don't want to be too busy). What about Booby Cay (I've heard mixed reviews).

Restaurants: We'll do the happy hour at Coco's on Monday night, and we definitely want to have a sunset dinner on the cliffs one night - is Ivan's the best bet? I've heard LTU Pub mentioned, too (?); of course Best of the West across the street from Coco's. Probably a walk to Margaritaville for a drink or two. Any recommended restaurants within walking distance of CLP?

Are there any other evening activities we should know about, such as music, shows, etc.? I heard that 3 Dives Tuesday night is definitely a good show. We only have a week, and I'm sure we won't get to everything, but it's nice to have some ideas just in case we have a burst of energy. Thanks for any comments!

we always do 3 Dives , do a party boat cruise with the Red Stripe Catamaran,, a trip to Red Dragon, Drifters Bar on the beach on friday and sundays afternoons, make sure you get a driver to show u around, soon come

I'd say Ivan's is one of our favourite upper-end, cliff-side restaurants. Looking forward to the entertainment at 3 Dives too.

Canadacan, the following is a link to my trip report from a week at Coco La Palm in June 2015. I have been going to Negril since 1992, but mainly stay on the cliffs, my Girlfriend and her two adult children (18 and 20) had never been to Jamaica. This was my first visit to Coco La Palm:

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

Coco La Palm is a wonderful resort you are going to have a blast!

Don't forget the Banana Bread at breakfast!!!

Enjoy,

VVHT

I would put SeaStar Sat night on my Don't miss list.

Check out Drifters Bar for sure , Friday and Sunday afternoon at 3 , its an open mike / jam session and a great place for people watching .

Ivan's is a favourite of ours in that the food and service are both very good, and the view is lovely. Kuyaba is also a nice setting.
We like to go to Canoe to swim and beach-comb and then have a drink in the bar during Happy Hour (of course, what hour isn't happy in Negril?) I think it's Thursday evening that Canoe has a steel drum band which I love.

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I don't leave the beach mostly, but have heard YS Faills is better (less touristy) than Mayfield. So ask others perhaps? Also we really love taking a glass bottom boat cruise, leaving about 4 in the afternoon - go for a snorkel, swing past Bobby Cay (you can get off, there isn't much there imo) and then head down to Ricks to view the sunset and the jumping from the water. (You'll also get to go into a few caves before sunset.) You can get off the boat at Rick's if you want, but it's so cool (and so much less money/less touristy) to view from the water. THere are other boats around, a cool kind of party.

btw I would put Margaritaville on the bottom of the list - been there 17 times and never went - except to use their fun trampoline on the water just in front. Have a blast!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mrs Wilson

I don't leave the beach mostly, but have heard YS Faills is better (less touristy) than Mayfield.

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Mrs. Wilson...it's reverse...Mayfield Falls is less touristy than YS Falls which offers zip lining, swimming pools, you can get hot dogs & hamburgers etc.
Mayfield might be more difficult for very young children or anyone with mobility issues...it's a bit more rustic and is essentially a long walk in a river up to the falls...very pretty surroundings.
At YS you can choose to walk next to the falls on the steps or swim in the water on the different fall levels and as I mentioned above there's more options available there. Another pretty area.

VVHT - I just read your CLP trip report again, and do appreciate your comments! The photos were great, too! When I was trying to settle on the hotel back on October, your comments and trip report helped so much - they played a big part in my decision to stay at CLP! The time has finally come, and we're excited to finally be there (almost)... No way will we forget the Banana Bread!

Will be next door at Idle Awhile starting Saturday with our 25 yr old daughter and 27 yr old son

jamaicarob - I looked at your suggestions, and have definitely added Drifters Bar and Red Dragon to the list of "great things to fit in, time allowing"! Unfortunately, my husband gets sick on the water, so the Catamaran will have to wait (although it sounds like so much fun) - thanks for the suggestions!

Ivan's and Drifters Bar are now on the "to do" list for sure, and Mayfield Falls, since they are a little closer and perhaps more rustic! JahCruiser - great to know boardie neighbors will be nearby - hope you all have a great trip, too!

I love seeing someone getting so excited about their trip. This board is a fantastic resource! I humbly suggest compiling your list, make some definite plans (as you have) and see what each day brings. We always plan to do many things and we are lucky if we do a couple of them. Sand gravity always kicks in. Fun happens everywhere around you without even trying. You will have the opportunity to explore the westend with the bar crawl and I know you will experience or see places you want to go back to. Have a wonderful time!

By the number of great suggestions of places to eat, drink, see, by the time I return I will to start AA, Weight Watchers and a additional 2 weeks to recover from my stay. Good times soon come

Canadacan - It looks like you and I will be there at the same time. We leave Saturday 1/16. We were so close to booking Coco LaPalm but, having never been to Jamaica before, we decided on an all inclusive instead. We definitely intend to wander off the resort, so some of these suggestions will definitely be put to good use! Have a great time! Maybe I'll see you during the pub crawl!

Hi JLittleGray - we're reserved on the Pub Crawl for Wednesday the 20th - are you reserved for the same date? I'm sure it will be a blast!

Haven't booked yet but I'll keep that date in mind. Can't wait to go!

It is wonderful to feel your excitement.....word of caution....don't feel guilty about not doing everything on your list....it just gives you another reason to go back....after going there since 1983 I still have things I haven't "done" enjoy yourselves

I really appreciate everyone's comments. The suggestion that we make up a list of "to do" things, but first let Jamaica time sink in and hear the sand calling. If very few items are crossed off the list at the end of a week, then we'll surely have good reason to go back. In thinking about it, it may be that the fewer things accomplished will reflect just how much fun we had just being there! Thanks again for your thoughtful suggestions!

Jus Natural is a bit of a hike out on the west end but has great food and a lush, innovative (i.e. Jamaican) garden environment.