Moms and Dads traveling with toddler 1 week vac, Negril or Montego Bay?

Hi Boardies I've vacationed in Negril on the Cliffs a few years back, we rented a scooter and had a great time just my wife and I. We have never vacationed in Montego Bay.

Now we have a 1 1/2 year old toddler and would like to return to Jamaica for a weeks vacation.
I thought that MBJ would be so much easier on us because its closer to the airport and there are a lot of all-inclusive resorts. The problem with an all inclusive resort is room size, we would have to sleep right next to the crib and I know I'm not going to bed at 7:30pm!:(

So now we decided to start looking for Condos in MBJ, not far from the beach so we can Taxi it back and forth each day. Then as I was reading some Threads In this Forum I read that Montego Bay is not at all like Negril... The people and attitudes are way different? So then I thought whats the big deal 45min taxi to Negril to have a little peace. I don't know maybe Montego Bay is a great vacation town?

In your Motherly/Fatherly opinion what would be a better family vacation Negril! or give MBJ a try?
p.s I was thinking if Negril is the destination then we may try "Travellers Beach Resort" or "Negril Palms"

thanks a lot:)

I went with my 1 year old girl to coco la palm and stayed right on the beach in the beachfront room. We used the pool and the beach. Pool is right next to the room and beach is steps away. You can't beat the gentle slope of the beach in Negril for lil babies,although water will be a little rougher in the winter months.get one of those nice floaters for the baby and that will be perfect.

We brought our son right around the same age, we stayed at legends and went with the all inclusive option(so many options for AI at so many various locations I would probably look around at a different hotel) because we knew we would be around the hotel more than on previous trips(think take advantage of the free drinks by the pool while the little one naps and you have a monitor with you). So many people were so great with him and by the end of the trip I think he had made more friends than we did! The big open beach was great for playing and it felt safe for him. If you have any other questions ask away!

point Village is ideal for children. Very secure, no beach salesmen, no drifting smoke etc. The entire complex is very quiet at night. Other than other boardy recommendations have you checked out VRBO?

Hands down - Negril over MoBay
My now 18 year old has been going since he was a year old
the beach in Negril is far more child friendly

We have brought our daughter many times to Idle Awhile on the beach. I would get a room where you are as close to the beach as possible. It's a lot more convenient, especially for naps and snacks, etc.

'get a condo in MoBay '' Please nix this idea, not a lot of positive '' happenings'' in MoBay these days. Indeed get a nice little place right on Negri beach, preferably a place like CoCo La Palm, or even where you mentioned Negril Palms , or White Sands. they have an apartment that would be ideal for you.

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Originally Posted by Slightly Stoopid

My now 18 year old has been going since he was a year old

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Awesome! I hope to be able to say this one day.

We took my daughter to Negril when she was 9 months old and it was the best decision we could have made. The local were extremely accommodating and we even took her to dinner at Ivans where our waitress gave her a tour of the bar and kitchen.
. :encouragement:
Don't worry about the drive, our driver was very accommodating and even stopped in Lucea for us so we could all have lunch. We are going back with her in May (she will be 2 1/2 this trip):encouragement:

When I hear people say they went to Jamaica I ask where in Jamaica..when they tell me Montego Bay I tell them you really didn't experience the real Jamaica opposed to Negril...not even close...this coming January will be my 25th year visiting Negril & always can't get out of MoBay fast enough after clearing immigration...in fact I take a little Cessna to get to Negril faster..12 mins. MoBay to Negril to be exact..there are plenty of AI's in Negril to go around as you here from others on e this board & CoCo La Palm is certainly a good choice.

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Originally Posted by rooster

When I hear people say they went to Jamaica I ask where in Jamaica..when they tell me Montego Bay I tell them you really didn't experience the real Jamaica opposed to Negril...not even close...this coming January will be my 25th year visiting Negril & always can't get out of MoBay fast enough after clearing immigration...in fact I take a little Cessna to get to Negril faster..12 mins. MoBay to Negril to be exact..there are plenty of AI's in Negril to go around as you here from others on e this board & CoCo La Palm is certainly a good choice.

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With all due respect what makes Negril the "real" Jamaica?

Cap

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Originally Posted by shooter1

I went with my 1 year old girl to coco la palm and stayed right on the beach in the beachfront room. We used the pool and the beach. Pool is right next to the room and beach is steps away. You can't beat the gentle slope of the beach in Negril for lil babies,although water will be a little rougher in the winter months.get one of those nice floaters for the baby and that will be perfect.

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Mobay? noway. An AI in mobay is not Jamaica.

There are always anklebiters at Coco. Super friendly, quite, atmosphere and the guards are very vigilant. I've seen them keeping a watchful eye on the children.

Children are treated like GOLD ..in JA. - the beach vendors will always be on the look out for any dangers -
the cliffs do provide some problems - We solved this by using a child carrier backpack
now, the cows milk will & or can cause some minor problems with little ones - no need to explain further - I think you get the drift
Enjoy !!!

Lol no drift smoke;) what’s vrbo? I was looking also at 2 room bnb’s condo’s near the restaurant Canoe, I know of a cool little beach amazing snorkeling there. We just have to walk more.

I really think staying in a nice boutique resort on the beach with great security is your best bet all the way around, especially with a youngster.

VRBO (vacation rental by owner) is a worldwide owner based rental site. It's how I found my first place in Negril in the condo's above the HiLo. Used it to go to Florida, and have looked at condos all over the world that look very enticing. There are listings in Jamaica too.

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Originally Posted by baracus

Lol no drift smoke;) what’s vrbo? I was looking also at 2 room bnb’s condo’s near the restaurant Canoe, I know of a cool little beach amazing snorkeling there. We just have to walk more.

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Negril “HiLo” isn’t that the grocery store near the round about? Il check that out... I was going to use air bnb to rent a appointment. The one thing that’s concerning me is dogs barking. I don’t think they have as many bay the beach.

I think Negril would allow you to move around the beach a bit and participate in some of the daily music jams, etc., while also keeping your child happy. I love that at some places, the staff or owners children are around and your kid can make a local playmate while you enjoy your stay. I know 1 1/2 is young, but that connection could last from year to year. The food choices are plentiful and you'll find something for every member of the family. With a little one, I'd recommend a private transfer over a taxi. I think Negril is a better choice than MoBay every day... so I'm biased!

ETA... not sure of your budget, but I'm thinking about your "sleeping by the crib at 7pm" thing.... Rondel Village has some villas (one, two and three room) available which would give you a little more space to enjoy your evenings but let the baby rest comfortably too... maybe

Thanks jojo right on. I have decided to do that but I'll try to find a decent condo/apartment closer to town, and walk a bit more:)

That true thanks didn't think about the year to year connection thing. we might as well start it in sweet Negril:)

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Originally Posted by LivinInThe603

I think Negril would allow you to move around the beach a bit and participate in some of the daily music jams, etc., while also keeping your child happy. I love that at some places, the staff or owners children are around and your kid can make a local playmate while you enjoy your stay. I know 1 1/2 is young, but that connection could last from year to year. The food choices are plentiful and you'll find something for every member of the family. With a little one, I'd recommend a private transfer over a taxi. I think Negril is a better choice than MoBay every day... so I'm biased!

ETA... not sure of your budget, but I'm thinking about your "sleeping by the crib at 7pm" thing.... Rondel Village has some villas (one, two and three room) available which would give you a little more space to enjoy your evenings but let the baby rest comfortably too... maybe

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Hi baracus, last year we stayed at Nirvana w/our under 1 year old and really liked the property and having a kitchen/dining area. The beach has great shade and is large enough to not cramp other tourist style. This year he is almost 2 when we travel and are staying at Coco, mostly because of the pool and patio outside of room. The short drive is well worth Negril over Mo Bay. Happy Travels.

Hi there, I took my 10 year old to JA in June. It's true, kids ARE treated like gold in JA. We stayed at CocoLaPalm. Beach security is wonderful, the beach is amazing and calm, great family pool. I'm hoping to take her back next summer. In the meantime I'm going to the cliffs in a few weeks for an adult only trip. She is super jealous!

we used this type of carrier https://www.mec.ca/en/product/4011-8...rrier-Backpack
& it was awesome - has a sunshade & was great for walking the beach - he would fall asleep & you can use the legs of the carrier as support - if you stop for a bevie ..
these can be found all over kijji & such @ a reduced price point

To add a question. What about the car seat situation in the taxi? Not from the airport but to dinner one night. We will be at Whitesands for my dons first trip and I'm not sure what you do with the car seat. Or just walk everywhere?

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Originally Posted by cernava

To add a question. What about the car seat situation in the taxi? Not from the airport but to dinner one night. We will be at Whitesands for my dons first trip and I'm not sure what you do with the car seat. Or just walk everywhere?

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Get a good safe driver. Hold the child in your arms. That's the best car seat

Just a great gramdpa's opinion

Cap

I would find a driver with a car seat and use him for your entire trip.