Mi 1st.....!!

After mi 1st trip to Ocho Rios by cruise I fell in love with Jamaica and we were only there for 6-hours (teaser)!...so I made it my mission to go back and I've been going back every year for a total of 6-times so far staying in Negril at AI resorts.

Wellll.........I decided I want to branch out from the AIs and really experience JA so I booked my first Solo trip to Negril and my first Non-Inclusive stay and I must say I'm starting to get butterflys...I have (11) more sleeps and I havent even started packing yet which is major for me as I'm a neat/organized freak...lol... I usually pack a month in advance just to be sure I dont forget ANYTHING (Yes! I always overpack) I also created a (Do Not Forget) list that I always shared with my group (Just trying to give u an idea how obsessed I am):rolleyes: LOL. So dont get me wrong I'm very EXCITED about my trip but I have a lil nervous energy about traveling solo. I've been lurking, reading trip reports etc and it seems to calm me a lil for the moment... but that nervousness still sticks around!!

I thought it would be a good idea to share as you guys are very supportive and give good suggestions and advice on how to handle things. So I hope to get some positive vibe especially from the "Solo travellers" to help me get over this nervousness so I can start packing! LOL

Yea Mon...Thanx in advance!

Get everything you want to take in a pile then put 1/2 of it away..
Seems like every year we realize we need less and less.

No words of wisdom, as no experience travelling alone...yet. But plan to. Took my teenage son (non AI) in Feb., went with a friend in Nov. I did a lot of things alone, walking beach, route taxi to cambio etc. Am realizing that I may have a better time by myself, not having to worry about how the other one is doing, and holding back from what I'd like to do b/c of them. It's easy to meet people on your own.

I'm going again in April with a friend, staying at Coco this time. Hope it goes well, but looking forward to travelling there by myself the next time. I'll probably have butterflies then too, but honestly, I was the only one planning and researching and plain handling things the first two times, so I don't NEED anyone along and like I said, I'll meet people there.

Being a single lady, be prepared for the local charmers wanting to be your friend and wanting your phone #. Don't walk the beach at night by yourself, get recommended ph #s of local red plate taxi drivers for after dark. Get a local cell ph and add those numbers as contacts, etc. get friendly with your hotels security staff and check in with them when coming and going, and make friends with other guests who you can let know your situation and hopefully exchange ph #s to check in with...and go out to dinner with. Go to the webcast events and keep an ear out for other boardies, introduce yourself to Rob and Lisa....Canoe & Seastar are good, safe places to visit and meet boardies or talk to the owners.

This was our first non AI trip. I think the thing that we loved most was that we didn't need anywhere near as many clothes. No "dress code" for dinner, no pants needed for Mr. Nutz or skirts and dresses for me. It was sooooo casual and we really enjoyed that!

Can't speak for the travelling solo, but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Watch out for those Jamaican men, they are smooth... LOL

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Originally Posted by Caught

Get everything you want to take in a pile then put 1/2 of it away..
Seems like every year we realize we need less and less.

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Caught I always do that it neva works I still bring half my clothes back untouched! lol

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Originally Posted by Melody

Am realizing that I may have a better time by myself, not having to worry about how the other one is doing, and holding back from what I'd like to do b/c of them. It's easy to meet people on your own.

I was the only one planning and researching and plain handling things the first two times, so I don't NEED anyone along and like I said, I'll meet people there.

Being a single lady, be prepared for the local charmers wanting to be your friend and wanting your phone #.

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Hi Melody...I totally can relate to the planning aspect as I was the 1 that planned all 6 trips to JA with friends family etc. which was the reason I planned this solo trip for myself dont feel like worrying about everybody else wants and needs...I was very excited booking this trip but like I said out of nowhere the closer I get the more butterflies I get I'm sure I'll get over it once I'm there...

Oh and I'm definitely hip on the locals I recognize the slick from the slickest lol

Thank you so much for the advise I'll be sure to share my experience when I return for your next Solo trip!

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

This was our first non AI trip. I think the thing that we loved most was that we didn't need anywhere near as many clothes. No "dress code" for dinner, no pants needed for Mr. Nutz or skirts and dresses for me. It was sooooo casual and we really enjoyed that!

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2Nutz...good to know! I finally pulled out some clothes today and becuz I'm use to the dress codes etc. at the AIs I started to stress not knowing what is allowed at the local spots and have alot of "just in case" stuff, I might can actually reduce my packing...lol...Thank u so much!

Oh BTW, As far as the smooth talkers I'm hip!! lol

So true about the clothes. I took 3 or 4 bathing suits as that is what I wore everyday, pretty much all day. A couple of bathing suit coverup "dresses", a couple of sarongs. Mostly covered it. Took a couple of pairs of shorts and tops to wear to dinner and one or two flimsy sundresses. (no wrinkle type that rolls up into nothing in your suitcase.) The sarongs and bathing suit goes a looooong way! 2 pairs of comfy flip flops (neutral, wear walking the beach, shopping, to dinner) and one pair of "dressy" flip flops (with little shells on them) for when I wanted to step it up a notch! Lol

I took a large suitcase, carryon & personal item, but most of that wasn't clothes. Thermos mugs, ziplock bags, paper towels, coffee making items, bug spray, citronella candles, sunscreens, aloe Vera, snorkel set, big bag of remedies like Zantac, calamine, hydrogen peroxide, etc., bubble wrap (to pack rum etc for return), and a bit of extra room to bring things back.

No problem going solo.....have done it many times. Keep your head about you....dont do anything too crazy. All the suggestions are great. Best trips have been solo. Dont have to worry about anyone but yourself. AHHHH RELAX

So you decided to "go over the wall".....Good move.....I dont need the scuba diving or ten meals a day you get at the AI's but Im kida still paying for it.....Get to your hotel,get your own beer & rum...Find the local places to eat on the cheap (Sun Beach).....

Have gone solo twice, but I am a guy, so it's a little easier. lol. I had a blast. Pack as light as possible. Get through customs/airport asap. Have a taxi set up. The boardies here recommended a great one last time down. Don't get a resort van. I have found they have way to many stops. If you need to stop for supplies they know good spots for most everything. Bubble wrap takes up lots of space. I use my clothes to wrap my breakables, or use newspaper. Works well and is fun to read when you get home.

Yup, re: non AI, read up on taking taxis (prices, recommended drivers, route). Have lots of 100 j bills. Several hotels/ restaurants will pick you up for free. Seastar will pick you up and return you for free - anytime, not just for their Sat show and not just at dinner. You could go for lunch and hang out at their pool. Cambio on the road in front of Bourbon Beach, Scotiabank ATM in Time Square. You probably know this stuff already...

I had a private driver both trips and stopped at Mega Mart in Mobay on the way. Bought tons of stuff for the week. Munchies, fruit, pop, beer, pkg of small styrofoam plates for my room and plastic beer glasses. Cream for my coffee (for times I didn't use rum cream), etc etc. If you want a cooler for your hotel, you can buy one here. Coffee pots, etc. Spent about $100 for the week and always had left overs to leave for housekeeping. Beer is by the pop in the store, hard liquor is on the exit side of the tills to buy separately. The last trip I wanted to buy my own Lime cell phone and my driver found the Lime desk (right inside Mega Mart) and someone to help me purchase a phone, only $999 j, including SIM and 100j in minutes. Only bought another $200 j in minutes for the week, calling home several times, locally and texting.

You can have your driver take you to Hilo or ValueMaster (Lime store is above it). Or of course, you can walk to Shamrock store on the beach road. I stop in there for one or two things, but for me, I really like to take care of business right away on the way from the airport so I can settle in and relax once I get to the hotel. Phone and drinks, ready to roll!

Also, if you have a smartphone, I highly recommend the TripIt app. You can save all your travel documents, confirmations, schedule times/dates for entertainment, phone numbers for restaurants and taxis, consulate addresses and ph #s...literally everything. I even scanned my passport page as JPEG and attached it, so I'd have the info if it went missing. That saved info can be accessed when you don't have wifi. I always kept data off and kept phone on airplane mode and just referred to it when on my hotel property. Just added contact #s to my local cell for when I was out and about.

Don't forget your local beach/cliff maps. Huge help while there, especially for the first time.

Mi 1st Non-Inclusive was a SUCCESS!!!! looking to book for May Mi do it again..LOL (Soon come Trip report)

As a solo female traveler, I am not, the security of an all inclusive can be comforting, but as many have said, that really isn't Negril . You will be fine, it will be an adventure. Be aware of your surroundings and choose your friends wisely.

I have travelled to Negril by myself for the last 10 years and have met up with many women travelling solo.....they all agreed that they had no worries alone....obviously as a woman you take the precautions that we all do in any country anywhere....but you will love it. BTW I never stay in an AI...and I go to the concerts on the beach until all hours of the night....I do not carry a purse/jewellry.(tucking money into your bra is always a good choice...even if it is only for the taxi back...and only travel with a red plate taxi. Enjoy

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Originally Posted by love2travelchic

Mi 1st Non-Inclusive was a SUCCESS!!!! looking to book for May Mi do it again..LOL (Soon come Trip report)

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Good to hear! Looking forward to the trip report!

Can't wait to hear all about it sounds like it'll be a good read :)

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