Scooters, Bikes, route taxi's and the Westender

If you don't know by now we are staying 9 nites at the Westender. I am looking into means of transit while there. As the title say options are scooters, bicycle, route taxi, and of course walking.

Scooters - I have read to expect to pay about $20 per day - I would be renting for ~8 days
1) - What size are they 50cc, 80cc, 100cc?
2) - Will they ride two?
3) - How do you secure them when stopping at a bar, restaurant, etc...
4) - Would it be practical to use one to go to Hegril Hills with golf clubs
5) - Do they have a rack or tie downs to haul stuff like take out from restaurant
6) - Do you prereserve before arrival

Bicycle
1) - How do you secure them when stopping at a bar, restaurant, etc...

Route taxi
1) - Do they routinely make it all the way out to the Westender?

Westender shuttle or taxi
1) - Cost for a lift to town

If I have missed an option please offer suggestions

The westender is way way out......the last time I was there, the cook was also a taxi guy...but it is a steep fare to even the west end....forget the amount but it was pretty hefty.....if staying there, best to plan on very few trips to the other world

Scooters can seat two. I had an 80 last time but my friend had a 50, I think the guy gave me his own as he was sold out. There's storage under the seat as well as by your feet, some may have racks. I just lock it (and lock the helmet inside the seat) when I park places, but I only park where parking is secure.

Ive not rented a bicycle but I'd want to rent a lock if I did.

Route taxis stop at Out Of Town Patry, just beyond WHoopies Park. The Westender has a shuttle that will take you to that point at least. The shuttle will pick up visitors and return them. We call them when we want to spend the day lazying by the pool and lunch. I give the driver $500J each way, but maube not if I were a guest. I'd show my repsect at the end of my stay.

Thanks Liz & Marble
It sounds like route taxi's are out unless I get my self a bit over a mile to Out of Town. I've got 4 weeks to think about it but I am leaning towards a scooter.
I can see me going up town 3 or 4 times and golfing 3 times.

Golf bag on a scooter? Then getting to Negril Hills on a major road on a scooter with golf bags? Might want to think about renting clubs or taking the shuttle there for that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rastagirl777

Golf bag on a scooter? Then getting to Negril Hills on a major road on a scooter with golf bags? Might want to think about renting clubs or taking the shuttle there for that.

---

A few years ago I used to play in a league after work. I rode my motorcycle 28 miles to work and back home again with the golf bag slung over my back so I could play after work.
Crazy - I suppose

Hi LLAP - I think you will really enjoy the Westender - I just spent a month there so if you have any details questions I would be so happy to share. Here is my opinion/two cents....

I have always wanted to rent a scooter and probably would if I was staying over a month. I have a couple people that visited me by bicycle at the Westender but they are both in PERFECT SHAPE/atheletes. So if that is you it might be fun if you go places you feel safe "leaving" it while you are enjoying Negril. Westender used to have bicycles but no longer and not sure where you can rent one.

I love taking route taxis and they are the most reasonable priced option. I never used them because the price was not that different from the Shuttle/Van (big spotless AC van) - Route taxis charge $300 pp one way out to Westender - as soon as they go past Out of Town Pastry at the "Y" they consider it off route and the price goes up from the normal $100J. The shuttle/van is driven by Jermain and he is the nicest most dependable driver. They charge $350J pp one way but as Marblehead I often gave him $500J because he would stop and wait for me multiple places (friends yard, HiLo, produce stand). So approximately $8US per person / $16 for two may be more than just route taxis within town - to me it was reasonable with my budget. He is available for drop off and pick up 24 hours a day so it is nice to know he will come get you "no problems" any time. He can work around all your needs. When I left he was the one that got the best "thank" you tip of all the staff. Carried my groceries, stood with me so I would get Jamaican prices on things, he is now a friend and so long story short - you got no worries. I also went to town 3-4 times a week to play at the beach and do shopping and dining and webcasting but also enjoyed just hanging out at Westender on Sunday nights for the bonfire.

LLAP..............

"A few years ago I used to play in a league after work. I rode my motorcycle 28 miles to work and back home again with the golf bag slung over my back so I could play after work.
Crazy - I suppose "

no....... not crazy, just nuts about golf.......:)

BUT! that 28 miles wasn't on Negril Roads, big difference............(Both Tourist and Target start with a "T" while trying to drive...lol be safe)

Sweetness I am sure we will like it. This looks to be a perfect fit for Bet. I tend to get a little restless. I am not much for laying in the sun or reading a book. That is why I was looking in to the scooter. I just received a quote from gas. $30 - $35 / day for the scooter $15 / day for the bicycle. If I get anything it'll be a bicycle. I am not a fitness nut but I am not in too bad shape. As far as questions I have looked over the menu and it look like some first class food. I know you cooked a lot when you were there did you sample their food? How do their prices compare to other places?

Rambo I'll try to make sure I'm a hard target to hit.

$30-35 a day is a lot of taxi money if you just want the scooter for transport. Now if you EJOY riding around on a scooter, well worth it.

I get mine from Tykes by Catcha for a bit less than that. Always negotiable over several days anyway.

LL - yes ate with them now and again and it was always amazing....some photos attached. The shuttle was also best for me being single. With two of you it may not make sense. The price matched the food and it was moderately priced. $8-12US for meals. I always take my own coffee pot and have fruit and peanut butter fold overs for breakfast. Scooter sounds fun and maybe just rent it for 4 days or so to save a bit. If its the bicycle you choose then stay hydrated please - both athletes that visited me were sweating profusly and red faced when they reached (lol). There are so many beautiful places to explore out that way towards Orange Hill but that is uphill - flat going back toward town.

Attachment 8978
Attachment 8979
Attachment 8980
Attachment 8982
Attachment 8983
Attachment 8984
Attachment 8985

Now that was just mean, Sweetness. I'm not even hungry and those look AMAZING.

They make it a work of art don't they? I am sure we will be eating more meals there than not and it sounds like it won't break the budget.
I'll check out Tykes Liz. He was one of three I had jotted down as options. I contacted the other two via computer and both responded with similar quotes.
Bet is real excited about Westender. She has opened up their web site several times and has been searching for photos and videos where ever she can find them.

westender may be beautiful - but this thread has sold me on the idea that i wouldnt want to be that far out.. Must be able to get great prices direct? cause on travel sites they are $$$

nice pics sweetness - so glad i will be in ja in a couple weeks! im hungry

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LLAP

I just received a quote from gas. $30 - $35 / day for the scooter $15 / day for the bicycle.

---

Before renting from Gas you might want to check out Gerry123's trail of ashes thread. His experience reflects poorly on Gas. Brasi gave Tykes a thumbs up although I'm sure there are others that are also worthy of your business.

Jah B's is good - i rented a dirtbike for $35.. scooter was less.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jasperpso

westender may be beautiful - but this thread has sold me on the idea that i wouldnt want to be that far out.. Must be able to get great prices direct? cause on travel sites they are $$$

---

All personal preference - some like quiet/peaceful and others want to be where things are "happinen" lol some in between. For me it was perfect but not for everyone I am sure. I have enjoyed every place I have ever stayed in negril.....all for different reasons.

On your last question. Unless I get a deal on a hotel/air package that is out of this world - I always call personally or email to discuss room rates. I research their listed rates - think of what my budget will allow and see if they can work something out with me. Its usually 50/50 on this - some will / some won't negotiate. Its business, I get it but a gyal has to at least try right?

yea Craig I read gerryg's adventures and made note of his experience. Reviews of gas have gone both ways but I wanted some numbers. I also emailed banmark and would have tyke if I had found a contact for him.
Jason I missed JahB when I was researching. Where is he? It doesn't look like I'll be doing a week long rental but I may do a day or two.

Rode bikes many times this last trip and local people I rode with just leaned their bikes up against the side of whatever business we visited and did not lock. Did not even have locks. We did not stay anywhere for long and our riding was mostly past the lighthouse, so not the busiest areas, but that's how it was done. The closest to town I'd go on the bike was Wise Choice at the Seastar road, the traffic is a little too crazy for me any closer that that. Nice riding past the lighthouse and I sooooo enjoyed the freedom of just being able to get on the bike and run to the store if I needed, no route taxi's etc. We did ride out to the Westender and I have to say it was a great ride and very peaceful.

Beach rd, morass side.. there is a resgtuarant there too.