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Can anyone recommend the BEST place for hiking and trail biking (we are happy to hire a guide) in the Negril region. I think we might prefer a guide, actually.
We would also like to know about nice jogging routes.
Best place for bird watching?
How about the BEST snorkeling spot?
Thanks for your help….Coming in Feb! first trip to the Caribbean!
Please recommend guides by name if you would like to!
Thanks,
Mark
Believe it or not, but some people go to the Negril wastewater treatment plant for birding. It is just out of town next to the golf course. Here’s am interesting prior post on Negril.com:
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ght=wastewater
For the birders, there is also the hummingbird garden to consider. This looks pretty fabulous. It’s in the far west end: http://www.barneyshummingbirdgardenjamaica.com/
The furthest away is near Montego Bay, Rockland Bird Sanctuary. You can google this.
btw there are also two caged parrots at Kuyaba (good place on the south end of the beach). Charlie and Buddy. Kinda fun to talk to them. And they have a tree top tower that you can sit in (one table) to eat. We have breakfast there sometimes and it’s nice – looks down on the sunbathers.
You need a guide, there are several trails around. One starts in Red Ground, one is down in far west end. Get a guide.
Jog the sidewalk on the beach road. If you're trying to get "off the beaten path", make sure you're with someone you know and trust (can be tough for first time visitor).
Not sure on bird watching, maybe check out Royal Palm Preseve. It's officially closed, but someone will let you in for a few bucks.
Snorkeling; either the reef out off long bay, or Shark Reef out in Orange Bay.
Those birds at Kuyaba are just depressing to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs Wilson
There used to be a guy named Rusty who did bike tours, but I have seen him mentioned in a long time.
I jog the beach every morning I am there.
Sand is packed and a lot of the resorts rake in the morning, so partially groomed.
Big sole running shoes work best.
We've been to Rockland, and liked it a lot. Anyone been to Barney's? If so, what did you think? And did you use their transportation or make your own arrangements?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs Wilson
The birding is great in Jamaica - and Negril. Royal Palm Reserve is a great place, even though it is officially closed. But there are birds everywhere -- yellow crowned night herons are often wandering the beach at night, parrots streaking by in small groups, many different types of warblers ("Christmas Birds" because they migrate back down to Jamaica for the winter), four different types of hummingbirds including the black streamertail with its famous silhouette, the Jamaican Woodpecker -- are, and many more, all commonly seen in and around Negril. The best bird guide is A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica by Sutter, Downer & Sutter - which also has a section on the varied geography and bird habitats across the island (note - the newer paperback version which includes Ann Haynes- Sutton is the best one). I love how the Jamaicans have there own names for many of the birds (no surprise with the love of words and language): Turkey Vulture is John Crow, Hummingbirds are Doctor Birds, Flycatcher is Tom Fool, the small colorful Jamaican Tody is a Robin Redbreast - and the list goes on. Just keep your eyes and binos open and you'll be constantly entertained, and let the locals tell you the birds Jamaican names.
I also think the beach is the best place for jogging -- perfect way to start the day with an early morning jog as the beach comes to life.
The reef off the beach is the best snorkeling spot, although not as good as some other classic spots.
I love swimming in Negril - calm clear warm water, sandy bottom, no big predators to woory about, a wafts of music and color along the way. I recommend that you bring your goggles just to check it out.
Plenty to do, and plenty of not doing!
I agree with all of that except the reef. Orange Bay is far, far better than the reef off of long bay.Quote:
Originally Posted by sabu
TAH - Good to know about Orange Bay. Do you cab or go by boat? How far out is the reef?
It's out in front of Rhodes Hall resort, the reef is about 300 yards off shore, so you can swim to it or take a boat.