1st time going to Negril this Saturday

I'm heading to Jamaica for the very first time this coming Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it. I just have a couple of questions that I could use some help on.

One of the places I want to go to is Rick's Cafe. What is the best way to get there from Riu Negril? I heard that there is a catamaran but where do you pick it up from?

Are there two Margaritaville's in Negril? I look on google maps and it seems that there's one in the middle of 7 mile beach and the other one is closer to the West End. If that's the case, which is the best one to go to so that we can just sit on the beach for a few hours and have some drinks and snacks?

Also, is it really necessary to convert US dollars to Jamaican money? I know to bring smaller bills for cabs, tips and such, but can we pay US dollars if we want to have a nice dinner somewhere other than our resort?

Thanks for your help!

Good morning, lucky you to be going to Negril soon.
You can take a red license plate taxi from the RIU to Rick's... someone who has recently been will weigh in on how much that would cost. Big hotels like RIU often offer a catamaran excursion to Rick's. You would pick it up right at the RIU.
There are 2 Margaritavilles in MoBay but I think only one in Negril and it is definitely in the middle of 7 mile beach. You could go there just to say you were there, but there are many smaller (less expensive) bars nearby with a lot more character. Make a day of it, and visit a few.
We always bring a mixture of US and JA money. Mostly JA - but then we are Canadian. You will get plenty of opinions on that as well.
Have an awesome vacation - take pics and post them :cool:

Congratulations on your first trip to this beautiful island, you chose wisely. There is only one Margaritaville in Negril, the one on the beach. The other Margaritaville is in Montego Bay. The Riu will provide info/ services for your trip to Rick's. It's always better to convert your USD to Ja.

I've never taken the catamaran sunset cruise but have seen it go buy many times. It seems like a fairly short trip with not much time at Ricks and is usually headed back before sunset. I would suggest taking the Pub Crawl and getting to know more of the west end bars and restaurants instead. Overall the pub crawl will probably be MUCH cheaper and you'll get to experience a lot more of Negril.

A cab rid to Ricks should cost about $10 each way. Don't use a driver from your hotel. Hit the road and just start walking. A cab will find you soon enough. Make sure you negotiate the price of the ride before you get in. You can also arrange a ride from any of the drivers in the negril.com transportation section if you want to plan ahead.

Also, in lieu of a catamaran, you can hire a glass bottom boat like Famous Vincent or Sun Baby for a sunset cruise. It will be more private and the captain will go wherever you want.

I'd strongly second the glass bottom boat idea. To each their own, but to me the catamaran's are always full of what we call "woo people". Like, they just cruise up the cliffs yelling "WOOO... WOOOO... WOOO" (forgive them for they know not what they do). Definitely not my thing. A smaller glass bottom boat is much more private, intimate, and quiet.

It's always better to convert your USD to Ja.[/QUOTE]

Where in Jamaica can I convert money? Do they have anything at the airport?

Do NOT COVERT MONEY AT THE AIRPORT! You can go to the Scotibank and exchange. Others will chime in on the money exchange as well. No airport. get your bags and get out of the airport. lol

Yes do not hire a cab from your hotel they will over charge significantly. 10.00 each way sounds right. Enjoy your trip!

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Originally Posted by TAH

To each their own, but to me the catamaran's are always full of what we call "woo people". Like, they just cruise up the cliffs yelling "WOOO... WOOOO... WOOO" (forgive them for they know not what they do). Definitely not my thing.

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"Woo People".......Love it....so true! Not our style either. If you like acting or being the fool have at it....to each their own. Although having a party boat anchored right off our hotel for hours of "wooing" was a bit much last year.

Skip Margarittaville. Unless , you have a lot of money, and want to get rid of it. No dis-respect Jimmy!

Thanks for all the helpful hints. Keep 'em coming! :cool:

There is a Cambio/ money exchange in the Airport, the rates aren't the best but off by just a bit. I wouldn't imagine you would need much cash the first day, staying at an All Inclusive. Transfer from Airport should be covered by the Riu and of course food and drink. When you do decide to venture out. There is an ATM at the gas station near Bloody Bay (Riu location), money exchange at Boardwalk Village, ATM at Times Square Duty Free, across the street from Times Square there is another money exchange, DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MONEY ON THE STREET! In Negril Town there are several ATM's and a couple of banks.

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Originally Posted by rocknrollfarmer

Skip Margarittaville. Unless , you have a lot of money, and want to get rid of it. No dis-respect Jimmy!

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At both Rick's and Margarittaville you will pay significantly more for drinks etc than most places. Rick's is worth a visit once to watch the cliff divers and to say you were there. Margarittaville...not so much...IMHO

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Originally Posted by Kevin, PA

At both Rick's and Margarittaville you will pay significantly more for drinks etc than most places. Rick's is worth a visit once to watch the cliff divers and to say you were there. Margarittaville...not so much...IMHO

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Agreed. Go to Ricks, you don't have to spend any money there, watch the divers for a bit and then move on down to LTU or Sir D's for the sunset. There is no good reason for anyone to go to M'ville unless it's to watch a football game or something, and even then there are other options.

RIU had a decent exchange rate a couple weeks ago. Talk to Christopher at the transpo stand on the side about a trip to west end. he gave us a better rate than what is posted in the lobby. My RIU tip is Tip the mini bar guy 500 j for immediate service and extras of what you want. EVERYthing is more expensive from guys working the RIU beach. do oyur shopping on west end

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Originally Posted by TAH

Agreed. Go to Ricks, you don't have to spend any money there, watch the divers for a bit and then move on down to LTU or Sir D's for the sunset. There is no good reason for anyone to go to M'ville unless it's to watch a football game or something, and even then there are other options.

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I second LTU or Sir D's\Firewater....Leave Rick's...Make a right on the road and around the bend is LTU, A little further down the road is Sir D's\Firewater. Sir D's\Firewater is one of our favorite sunset spots. Stick around after sunset and you just may see the divers from Rick's stop in for a drink.

You will have a great time at both Rick's and margaritaville!! After enjoying Rick's for a bit, just make the short walk up to Ltu Pub for some good food and awesome views! Margaritaville has the best onion rings on the planet and is just a good place to hang out on the beach and chillax!! And if you are having a blast and want to let out a big ol' whoooooo hooooo, just shout it out, nobdy will care....lol....Most of all Enjoy...Enjoy....Enjoy!!!!!

We've been to Negril several times, but never to Rick's or Margaritaville. But then, we don't really drink, so we've never been to most of the other bars people will recommend. There are many options, but don't let people talk you out of one you're interested in.

Whatever cab you decide to take, use only ones with red license plates. You can do some searching on this forum if you want to read more about it.

I would be surprised if you encounter a single person who will refuse to accept US dollars for whatever you want. The advice on changing money assumes you care about getting the best exchange rates. Since you're at an all-inclusive, the difference in spending for your entire trip will be modest; if you don't want to deal with it, no problem. Of course, you'll be paying the "tourist rate" for everything - which is quite appropriate, as you're a tourist! - and there will be an additional surcharge because the people need to go exchange the money you give them. Nobody will want US coins, however, even dollar coins. $1 US = $120 JMD, or in the reverse, $100 JMD = $0.83 US at the official rates, and you'll get around 3% less than the official rates even from a bank. You'll encounter people who are asking $300 JMD for something but who will accept $3 US, and people who are asking $300 JMD but if you ask how much in US will say $5 US. The difference is probably not going to break you either way. When we travel, we do like to use the local currency just as part of the experience, but then we also spend some of our vacation hours changing money.

Cambios are at Bourbon Beach and by the roundabout downtown. They keep pretty much banker's hours, so no good on Sundays. There's also one at the HiLo grocery store just a bit out of town on the West End road. But ATMs are available in several places, including by the craft market as you enter Negril from the north, at Times Square and at the Scotia Bank downtown, and I think also by the HiLo. If you are going to use the ATMs, call your bank and tell them when you'll be in Jamaica, and maybe get your daily limit increased.

Changing your money on the street is exactly like playing three card monte on the street in NY City. You're going to lose! The only way those guys have of making money is to short-change you, after which they will take your US dollars to the cambio and change them back into more Jamaican dollars than they gave you.

Tip generously, and directly to the individual who provides a service to you - even when you're being charged a "service charge". I have never come home from a trip feeling bad because I was too generous. Tip your hotel cleaning people etc. at the beginning of your stay rather than at the end.

Depending on where you go, you may encounter an aggressive beggar or two. This is most pronounced around the cambio and Scotia Bank downtown, where of course everyone can see that you just came out with money. You don't have to give them anything. It can be a little scary the first time or two, but I never have had any trouble (beyond being annoyed).

I agree with all advice above. I am not a fan of Margville, either, because it's very commercial but recommend almost any other small bar/restaurant on the beach. Rather than Rick's, I'd sooner go to other cliff places like LTU, Xtabi, or "Sunset After Dark" (unless you are into cliff diving). And don't hesitate to go out and explore and meet people.

Have a great time and maybe consider a non-AI next time. You should easily find a nice place on beach for less than US$100/night.