Country accomodations..?

This might be a dumb question...but are there hotels/rooms for rent in some of the less-traveled country locations? South Coast, inland..?

I did a Google search and got a lot of villas/weekly rentals. But if a guy was to jump on a scooter/rental car from Negril and just DRIVE...and say, stop along the way somewhere, have a few Stripes....and not wanna drive further...is it likely he may find a place to lay his head?

I'm not looking for specific locations, more of a general "if" and "how-to..."

This "guy" could always make PLANS to drive from A to B. But that might ruin the idea OF GETTING OFF THE GRID.

(: aDVICE APPRECIATED.

http://treasurebeach.net/guide/

start with this website and if you find an area you like google places to stay there, there are many wonderful small cabins too down there

Some of the larger towns (Sav, Mandeville, Black River, Treasure Beach) do have some pretty good hotels with pools. restaurants, etc.; however these same places and others like Bluefields, Belmont/Whitehouse, Santa Cruz, Alligator Pond etc will have lots of small establishments/private yards that do not advertise, cannot be found on the internet and may not have a land phone line (they will have cellphones however)… you can find them by asking the locals or by watching for road signs.

If you are up for an adventure, consider just going … and when you get to where you would like to stay for a night or two, stop in to a local bar/restaurant/beach etc; and ask if anyone in the area has lodging available.

Travel smart – don’t take all your worldly possessions with you (you can probably arrange for your hotel in Negril to store a suitcase until you return in a few days); carry a photocopy of your passport with you (not the original); don’t carry too much cash on you (but be prepared to pay cash for rooms as many small places do not accept credit cards – ATM’s are located in all major towns in Ja; take your own towel, toiletries, insect repellent & TP. Do not take any illegal substances with you – road blocks – if you are inclined you can find it at your destination. Find a room well before darkness sets in – you do not want to be driving on dark unfamiliar roads where you cannot see the potholes, upcoming curves etc.

Enjoy discovering the rest of Jamaica and making some great memories! You might want to start off slow … say a drive up to Bluefilelds or Treasure Beach to check out rooms.

Awesome advice, just what I was hoping to do!

That is my plan as well as soon as I can arrange a longer stay to have enough time to do it right.

we go to belmont, bluefields area on the south coast for 2 days, we stay next door to PETER TOSHES grave sight, for under 50.00 per nite, check out the SOUTH COAST MESSAGE board,we are going to belmont around feb 8th or 9th, soon come

go for it Brasi, and let us know what you find! I have friends that have gone to treasure beach and looked around till they found a place they liked without definite advance plans.

Along the coast it is easy to find a place to lay your head. If you head up into the hills you will find a place to stay too, maybe a room in somebody's house, but the people will make sure you have a good safe place to sleep for the night. Of course this is easier to do while it is still daylight. You probably don't want to be driving your bike on unfamiliar roads in the dark.

Me may shift my plans to include a two nite trip to the Hills...just grab a scooter and a back pack and go... (: Sounds like a blast.

There is the Inn at Great Bay in Treasure Beach. Clean, nice, a/c for about $40 a night. You can reach Alex at this # 876-879-6970. Right on the beach. I have never stayed here but have seen the place up close, and talked to several people that have. I would stay there in a heart beat. If you just show up, good chance you'll have a room. They aren't very busy. Another place we like is Vikings. http://www.vikingsrastaretreats.com/

I have a friend who stayed here in Belmont. http://shadescottage.com/
She is a single traveler and felt very safe. She loved the place.

I am familiar with Viking's, but hadn't heard of Shades Cottage. Thanks...I appreciate the info!

I would recommend purchasing a copy of Lonely Planet (preferably one a couple of years old as the newer one has gone a little too "commercial" IMO). I have a 2003 copy that I travel with like a Bible. It rates accomodations from the cheapest to the best all around Jamaica including the small villages. In my travels I have found them to be nearly 80% accurate in location and "vibe" if not always correct on the going price as the J has gone up a lot since then.

Good Travels.

Peace and Guidance.

Here's a link to another place in Belmont you may want to check out: http://www.natureroots.de/home.html

Ahh, yes Northcoast. That was the other place I was trying to think of but couldn't remember the name. My friend who stayed at Shades, also was here. I'm not sure if she stayed or visited but she enjoyed her time there.