N00B on the message boards, asking for some help!

So, im in a big limbo an i`ve decided to finally make an account and post, instead of just ghosting on here everyday at work (for the past year). Im still a newbie to Jamaica, and posting in these message boards, Normally all my questions are answered in previous threads but this time i need help if you can sit through this short story.

Im 26, male, been to RIU clubnegril in June 2017 for my first jamaican experience, got off the resort, explored, loved it. I went with my friend so it was cool, but not a lot of action at our hotel (it was slow season after all). Now my dilemma begins because, I`m going solo in January because none of my friends have the funds to go, and its my week off work i have to get out!

My problem is i`m a very nice, open minded and friendly person, but extremely shy (i feel awkward socially around people i don`t know, EX: Trying to just introduce and talk)
So i don`t know if on a big resort i will just seclude myself in a ``corner`` because there`s too many people, or if a small resort i will feel too ``Lonely`` i understand this is all mental but... ANY ADVICE IS WELCOME

`My other problem is I`m going in January i`m undecided if i should do AI or not and WHICH... I feel like RIU negril was a real great experience but, i`m not going there again as its my second trip and want to try out other things.
Budget is just about 2000$ CDN accommodations for the week (i normally book package vacations as its cheaper then a plane and hotel separate), Ive only been to the west side of jamaica, but hotel wise, all thats ever interested me has been montegobay - negril, never been to Ochi but from the images i got in my head i think negril is a way better part to be in Jamaica to just be able to relax and enjoy and explore

I'm by no means an expert. But AIs in Negril do it a disservice .
Too many places to visit, bars, restaurants etc.
Walk the beach , venture up to the west end, more bars , restaurants and sights to see.
Venture during the day is no problem travelling solo. Nite more care is required. I was 26 once , trouble is easy to find if you look for it.
Just cab it. Many bars/restaurants offer shuttle one way.
Stay on the beach, white sands , charela , bar b barn many to choos from.
Get one with a breakfast plan to start your day.
Many like minded people on the beach to engage with or not if ou just want to chill.
Eating on the beach is a non issue ,the food will come to you if all you want to do is relax and be a lazy ass...
Many bars along beach will have entertainment and night life.
Again if near your hotel no problem . If further , at night ,cab it.
I'm sure many more will chime in.
2 weeks we'll be there, 9 days at Negril palms and 5 at samsara.

Hi JAHtony, It is busy season in January, so you will want to get a place lined up asap. For a guy, your age , I think you would like staying at Alfreds, right on Negril beach. It's a nice family owned restaurant and bar, with rooms . The rooms are nothing fancy, but clean, and anything you would need for being a single guy. The food and drink at the bar is great, and they have live music a few nights out of the week. It will be very easy for you to meet other folks, as it is a popular place. They usually have a volleyball game going on, and they have a nice beach area. Rooms are only around 50 to 60 a night, even in busy season, so your budget will leave you a lot of fun money. Another place to try, really good for solos is the White Sands. These are two places to give a try, call direct, or e mail for a swift answer of availability. Negril is full of fun and action, and you will love it. Feel free to ask anymore questions, but locking up a place is now your priority, good luck !!

hey jahtony! i agree with jojop- alfred's is a GREAT place for a young, friendly but shy guy who's still getting his negril sea legs.

first of all, you can't beat the location. it's in the middle of everything but not all crowded up. everyone stops by alfred's at some point, so you're going to meet people.

on the value-for-money tip, it's hard to beat. rooms are about $50 us a night.they are simple, clean and very secure.

it's a really friendly, family-run business (the arthurs are pioneers in the negril hospitality industry) with a ton of return guests.

i'm not sure if we're allowed to directly mention the travel website that starts with TR, but if you go on there and search for alfred's and pull up the listing for hotel (as opposed to restaurant) you can see my super in depth review.

and to put my comments in perspective, i started visiting jamaica in 1996 (when i was 27) because all of my friends in brooklyn have family there. i'm 48 now, married with an 11 year old. my husband and son love jamaica, too. it's been great to share a place with them that is so special to me.

oh yeah, i should add that when i wanted to make a reservation, i emailed canderarthurs@gmail.com. that's the owner's wife, cindy's email. we did everything via email with zero issues.

ugh, one more addition- if you search for "alfred's" on this site you'll find a thread i started, asking if any boardies had actually stayed there. several people replied positively and i gave a trip report at the end of the thread.

Hi and welcome!

My first experience in Jamaica was a large AI in Ocho Rios. I never had the chance to get off the resort, but knew that I had really missed out by not doing so. I wanted to return the following year, so I decided to just go for it. I booked everything for myself, by myself.

For me, Grand Pineapple Negril was a great start in Negril. Because as an "all inclusive" you have airport transfers, basic alcohol and red stripe, and three meals a day (plus some grill choices on request). There are also so hand me down water sports like a hobie cat and SUP.

That said, don't book here expecting a RIU experience. The Grand Pineapple is pretty basic. But that is what I like about it. For a solo traveller, you don't pay more than a double would, you just pay the rate all by yourself- no single supplement. For me, the cost isn't terrible given that there are inclusions.

What I love about the Grand Pineapple as a newbie to Negril, and really, the best part about the Grand Pineapple to me, is the location. You are literally only a few properties away from some of the popular hot spots for visitors and Alfred's is right next door, so going out during the day and night is no problem. Everything is very walkable from the location of the Grand Pineapple.

I also like that I can have a good breakfast in the morning at the hotel, then find my way around town for lunch and dinner. I don't feel like I overspend on the hotel so I don't mind eating out. When I stay at Grand Pineapple, I bring about $400 USD in cash because everything is already paid for before I even get there. That money pays for tips, taxis, excursions, and drinks/snacks/food off property.

For me, Grand Pineapple was a good spring board into Negril. Now, I say at non inclusive hotels and love it, but I'm grateful for giving myself a "back-up" plan with the all inclusive GP. I stayed there again my second year because of returning guest $$ credits. I am struggling with staying there again for my next trip, because it's not much more than a non inclusive hotel I'm looking at and like I said, the location can't be beat for me.

Either way, you can't go wrong in Negril. I would suggest staying at a hotel on the main section of the beach. Walking around, you can't escape the opportunity to talk with people, and if you want, and get a little shy like me when you are 100% on your own, you can just walk to a place, grab a beer, and keep walking ... until you feel comfortable and find places that you connect with.

I love that you are taking a risk and going alone. I think it will change your life! That shyness will leave you in the first 24 hours and you'll have the time of your life!

603 makes many good points with respect to Grand PA. and its location.
The price is such you wont feel obligated to stay and use your inclusions if at any time you wanna venture out.
But at anytime you feel like sticking around or want to start the day with the included breakfast or end it hanging around enjoying the included bar service its available to you.
Like she said a good springboard with best of both worlds.

I agree that 603 makes a lot of good points. One point of correction, though, is that airport transfers are NOT included in the price you pay.

That said, we usually stay at a non-AI most of our visits, but we still will book a few nights at the GP every few years, too.

You sound like a couple, which is fine for GP, but single, young guy, solo, = a place like Alfred's. Why have him pay double the price ?? again, JMO !!!

Not only gp but any place on the beach that offers an AI option. Good safety net for a first timer to get feet wet. So to speak !

I'm sorry, but suggesting a young man . solo, in Negril would have a better time in an AI is crazy... again, IMO..LOL

I private messaged you

Reread ,no one said anything about a better time at AI opposed to non.
Just offering an alternative between the two. Yeesh read first then comment.

I get it, but know way op needs to go Ai, just saying

Thanks for your input guys ! I will be trying to narrow it down pretty quickly to a couple of choices and just go with it and book.
I also appreciate the messages telling me to just get on with it and go... hopefully in a couple of trips I'll be able to actually get all around the island, but for this trip I just need to hit the beach , a bit of the mountains and mingle with the locals and other tourists alike.

Your going to have a great time in Jan,plenty of parties .

You'll need somewhere secure to stay and your good to go

I also landed in Jamaica on my own roughly ten years ago at the age you are now , I didn't book a hotel but got a rental Toyota from the airport and headed to negril .

Once I reached negril at 7pm all those years ago I found a place to stay for the night left my belongings in the boot of the car and knocked out .

I then made sure I'd find somewhere secure to stay where no one can get in even if they tried and found a spot up the west end.

Made some great friends and never looked back

Now ten years later I have my own place and live here through the English winters and go back to the UK at English summer time .

just saying as I'm also shy ,reserved and not good at approaching people,prefer my own company ,doing my own things.

If it can work for me it'll defo work for you

Have a great time and if you in anyway get stuck or have a question about anything don't feel no way pal as I was in the exact situation

Ps avoid AI there like a jail for single people so I been told by many
Good for couples /families but no good for singles

Cheers

Attachment 49839
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Just a couple photos from my first trip ��

I honestly didn't have a problem at my AI, I took a spot in the back corner to smoke and made friends with a couple guys that went up and down the beach, and also a couple of workers at one of the restaurants when they were done their shift we would smoke and relax and just talk about life, also left the resort illegally and legally (white plate the first time and red plate the second, got very lucky because we were in a road block in negril but the second day with the red plate)
I want a change up because I was in bloody bay and don't really want to take a car ride every time and much rather just walk everywhere...
Is there any places that have bonfire parties on the beach at night with some music (live or not just love the vibe of a nightly fire and a little drink)

And thanks Mick, one day I honestly wish I could do the same to escape my Canadian winters

Bourbon beach has or had bonfire nightly parties with live music / sound system djs playing .
Daily
It's exactly my kind of thing JahTony . Grab a drink hold a smoke and just chill

Quote:

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Originally Posted by squarestatejeff

I agree that 603 makes a lot of good points. One point of correction, though, is that airport transfers are NOT included in the price you pay.

That said, we usually stay at a non-AI most of our visits, but we still will book a few nights at the GP every few years, too.

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Thank you! You're right, I was incorrect that transfers are not included. They have cost me $35 round trip the two times I booked at GP. Not sure about the current rate. It's so seamless having access to the Sandals Arrival Lounge at MBJ that I forget it's not really included!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Weeboy1

603 makes many good points with respect to Grand PA. and its location.
The price is such you wont feel obligated to stay and use your inclusions if at any time you wanna venture out.
But at anytime you feel like sticking around or want to start the day with the included breakfast or end it hanging around enjoying the included bar service its available to you.
Like she said a good springboard with best of both worlds.

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thanks weeboy!

@jojo, just a suggestion based on my experience. Alfred's is quite a jump from Riu... could be a bit of a shock, although completely manageable, very different than a large AI.

I always come to Negril solo... but it’s a little different after all these years with all the people I know on the island... my first time solo ( on the beach) was at Bar B Barn... take a look at it... it’s inexpensive, great breakfast included and you are right next to Bourbon Beach which is the main party spot at night... it’s obviusly
Not aI but a step above say an Alfred’s... great food and Angela’s restaurant upstairs... serving the best pizza in Negril... in my opinion.... I think it’s a good place to start... if you’re a night owl, which I once was, there’s a bar open 24 hours right off the alley to the left of Bar B Barn...if possible, try to hit Bourbon at night with buddies you might meet or a driver who has your back...the locals will definitely be on you like flies on **** if you’re alone... I’m used to it but it can be alarming (for guys and gals!) or uncomfortable if you’re
Not used to it .... have a blast !

Well, no matter where you stay, it's good to have a '' go to ''guy, that can help you get anything you need, bring you up to the cliffs, take you to the bank, whatever.. bostonguy823, and myself have a good friend there, who has a taxi service, It's weird calling him our driver, as he's been a good friend for years. If you would like his info....I will be glad to pm you with it !!! Great, trustworthy guy, who live right there close to Negril.. He is my beckon call guy...lol

I'm generally a shy person but travelling solo brings me out of my shell.