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I know this has been discussed, argued, and agreed upon a million times, but I still have to ask a slightly different version of this question.
We never walk the beach late at night, or after dark at all, really. However, is it safe to walk the beach back from dinner, say 7 - 8 pm? For example, Sun Beach to Sunnyside? Or Bourbon Beach to Sunnyside? We always go out to the road, just to err on the side of caution. But I feel like "not walking the beach at night" refers to late nights.
We walk the beach back from dinner after dark often but never really late or we try to be with others in the more remote stretches. It's nice to carry a small flashlight.
I have only stayed on the beach side. If I don't eat on the cliff side, that means I am walking to dinner. If it's walkable distance, I walk with at least one more person. I have really only felt semi-uncomfortable once or twice. When I did, I turned on my ATAC A1 flashlight (it's very bright) and picked up the pace.
We Walk on beach for later dinners constantly, unless you are quite late there are lots of other people out. I know if I say "nothing has ever happened" there will be some comments, but I don't understand why "the beach" seems to be different from walking anywhere else. Walking anywhere that is desolate and dark is not recommended but that could be the beach, the road or anywhere. If it comes to it where I can't walk on the beach in Negril at reasonable hours I will no longer be going to a Negril, walking that time of the night on the beach is one of the best parts about tropical places.
Here is the deal. I am a retired police officer/detective and I used to give these sorts of talks all the time. Everything is safe until it isn't...... The rub is you don't know when "isn't" will be as it is usually when you least expect it. The safety principles in Negril are the same in the U.S. Police see victims and evaluate said victims based on their risk level or exposure. For example if you live on the south side of Chicago you are much more likely to have someone kick your door in and rob you than you are if you live in the suburbs. With that said you may live on the south side of Chicago for 70 years and never have a moment of trouble. You may also be robbed your first night in your new apartment. No one knows for sure because its a risky area. If you live on the burbs your exposure to crime is much more limited and you are much more likely to be a victim. Real basic stuff, right?.
Well it is the same in Negril. You can walk the beach a hundred times and be okay. You may also walk it once like some of the folks on TA boards have posted and be robbed. It all depends on who you encounter during your walk. I think we all agree that the road is the safer bet, it reduces your risk and makes you less likely to experience problems. You are not immune to problems on the road, but you are safer according to the odds.
So you have to ask yourself is the walk on the beach worth it to you and are you okay with exposing yourself to a higher risk area and taking your chances, or can the beach walk wait until morning. The true answer is there is no good answer because no one can predict the conditions at the time you are walking the beach. Three hardcore criminals from Kingston that have never even been to the beach could be at Bourbon Beach and see an easy mark leave and follow you down until the time is right. Or, you could have a wonderful evening. No one knows, again its all about risk and exposure. No one can guarantee your safety and no one can really tell you the exact chance that you would be robbed or harmed.
It is a math equation that can't be solved until you actually walk down the beach.
We walk the beach at night but have never done it alone. The larger the group the less concern I have. We always stay aware of our surroundings. If we don't feel comfortable we walk faster until we get to an area with others present. I have personally found we are not hassled as much if we are walking at the shoreline instead of up on the beach. If we are with someone that doesn't or can't move very fast we would walk along the road.
I forgot to mention that I never carry more money than I would be willing to give up and never carry my phone or anything else valuable with me at night and we do carry a flashlight.
Thanks for the input everyone.
Ron, you make a lot of great points. Everything *IS* safe, until it isn't.
Thanks Jenn, I hope it didn't come off to weird or make me sound like a big ole' know it all. I just don't want anyone to get a false sense of security or to be so scared they don't enjoy themselves and take in the vibe. I just don't think its a simple answer. :/
I thought your answer was spot on!! Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by RonMon
Ron - I didn't think your answer was weird at all. haha This is our 9th trip to Negril, and I just have never walked the beach in the evening. I suppose in my gut, I knew the answer already....sometimes fate isn't worth tempting. I will stick to cabbing it or walking along the road. Although, these days with the crazy motorcycles, we're tempting fate either way, right?
You are so right. We were there earlier this month and the motorcycles are out of control. They were even taking full advantage of the new sidewalk and abusing it as well. I honestly don't even feel comfortable renting a scooter anymore as much as I love to do that and its a big part of our Negril experience. I try to just stay off the beach at night especially around the late night hangouts where most of the trouble is. As you said why tempt fate, nothing worth that for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenn
Maybe its an age thing, I used to love walking the Las Vegas strip at 3am watching all the craziness. Now I try to be in my home casino my midnight and just don't want to take the chance of getting caught up in anything.
We always say we're going to make it to show at Bourbon Beach or Roots Bamboo...but it never seems to happen. Too much sun and fun during the day makes me sleepy! We are in the same boat - spent New Years in Vegas one year....not sure I could do it again 20 years later!
We hit Bourbon Beach once last trip and it was a good time. I have read a lot of negative remarks about being bugged and this and that, but we didn't have a problem. We ate dinner ate a table and just stayed at the table to watch the music so maybe that helped. We did have one fella come over to the table and try the "Hey remember me, I know you, buy me a beer its my birthday." trick. That was the only person who even talked to us. I will defiantly go again if I can stay up that late!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenn
Oh and Negril has kind of taken the place of Vegas over the last few years for me. I prefer the slower pace and more relaxed environment. I also prefer that there is always a 100% of drunken enjoyment and it doesn't matter whether you bet on black or red!
True that!
Maybe I am a naive small town person, but I have never felt unsafe anywhere in Negril. Beach,on the roadway, West End, out in the middle of nowhere by myself on a motorcycle. I've had Jamaicans go out of there way to help me more than I can count. Even count my money when Ive been over served! Its one of many reasons To keep coming back.
limeex - I am the same. I have never felt unsafe in Negril, otherwise why would I go back? Also, just never walked the beach after dark. Obviously people do it, as I see it all the time. Mostly was just a question. :)
I don't think anyone should feel unsafe, that was the point I was trying to get across. You just have to have the same due diligence you would while in a city or tourist area in the U.S. It is a weird paradox that if someone gets robbed while on business in Chicago they just kind of accept that is the risk of the situation. But, if they get robbed in Las Vegas or the Caribbean while on vacation they are in a total state of shock. I think the point is just don't put yourself in any situation you are not comfortable and don't lose your sensibility. A lot of times we are in total vacation mode but we forget others are not.
Yes, I Understand. All points are valid and legit, Specially RonMon about vacation mode. Now, how do I turn off vacation mode when I get back home...?:o
If you figure that out let me know! I always have to have another trip planned or I go into depression. I think it is also worthy of mention that the good people of Jamaica do a lot of their own policing of the hooligans. They have the most interest in keeping tourists safe as it is obviously the lifeblood of the island. I personally saw a security guard in action on a hustler one night on the beach and it was very clear if you steal from a tourist there is a price to pay from the Jamaican people as well. There is so much good in Jamaica and they truly are a beautiful people.Quote:
Originally Posted by limeex2