First Time to Negril in August!

Hi Everyone! My boyfriend and I are traveling to Negril for the first time in August. We are from Florida and wanted something a little different than an average vacation on a sandy beach so we chose Xtabi on the cliffs as our hotel. Any tips for places to eat or things to do? So far everything we've read about Xtabi sounds amazing.
My main question is about airport transportation. I've read several recommendations on these forums for different local companies that sound great. However, Xtabi is offering to use their airport transfer service for $120 round trip which is cheaper than what I've found from anywhere else so far. We don't mind paying a few extra $$ if it really is worth it, but not if the difference is a single Red Stripe. What do you guys think? Is there really a difference between all these companies that offer the same service? Has anyone used Xtabi's drivers before?
Thanks for your help! We look forward to hearing your tips!

Contact Kingsley @ http://www.kingsleystakecaretours.com/ directly! Xtabi uses him for tranfers but it will be about $20 cheaper to book directly with him!!
There are MANY good places to eat close to Xtabi - Just Natural right next door, 3 Dives on the other side, DeBar, Sips & Bites...to name a few!
I have printed these maps in the past & highlighted places I'd like to try...don't always make it, lol, but it is helpful: http://www.travelsinjamaica.com/p/ne...verything.html
I love Xtabi, hope you do to!

Hey Dani! I always use ALFRED's IRIE RIDE- and that it is... He is always at the airport- even when the plane was an hour late, always wearing a smile. Want to stop no problem, want to crank the big island tunes, want to use the phone- its free, want to relax and take in the fresh air in Jamrock- Alfreds your guy. Then you can line him up for an excursion and get the ride back to MoBay for free. See ya next week Alfred!!!

Have fun Dani- dont worry bout nuttin- go walk around explore relax have fun!

Love me some Alfred also!!

as a rule....most "offered" Taxi service offers not a cheaper ride, but just for the convenience of the person staying there, he also I would think, would be open for "negotiations"...lol
anybody else will, so why wouldn't he??

have fun be safe

(btw-my b day is aug 6, and we have been down for it, its HOT HaHa)

Ummm...here's my thought/complaint....don't beat me up too badly.
Let's think of this another way...while you're negotiating a $10-$15 dollar price difference for airport transportation, which is already only making these drivers a few dollars in the first place with the price of gas etc....and then the question is often asked where someone can donate items or help Jamaicans financially...why not just start by paying the fair price for airport transportation, go with a respected driver and not worry too much about whether you saved that minimal amount or not?

And...Dani...Kingsley is a lovey man...good, fair driver.

This wasn't directed at anyone in particular in this thread.

Dani,
Clives does shared transportation for $20 US, lots of people have reported on this board that most of the time they don't share the ride and it is still $20. I am giving it a try in August myself. Last trip I paid $70 with a tip and a different person, airport to Catcha on the cliffs one way.

Dani.....you'll love Xtabi and there are some awesome restaurants right nearby as others have stated. Just Natural & 3 Dives are two of the best around! Alfred is an awesome guy and reliable driver. He can be found on this website. He offers free cell phones to those that use him for round trip transportation.

We have a roll call thread. Be sure to join it and you'll likely find others travelling the same dates as you. We always plan get togethers at the webcasts.

Here is a link: http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...gust-Roll-Call

BTW...my wife & I will be there in August too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Ummm...here's my thought/complaint....don't beat me up too badly.
Let's think of this another way...while you're negotiating a $10-$15 dollar price difference for airport transportation, which is already only making these drivers a few dollars in the first place with the price of gas etc....and then the question is often asked where someone can donate items or help Jamaicans financially...why not just start by paying the fair price for airport transportation, go with a respected driver and not worry too much about whether you saved that minimal amount or not?

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Good! Good!

Virtually every driver I know that does airport runs has a family to support. It costs about $25(US) in petrol for each round trip alone.

Xtabi is a lovely place. Never stayed there but have gone to eat there a few times.

I use Dandy sugardandy70@yahoo.com Last time I paid $60. for the two of us plus a $20 tip each way. He greets me with a few cold ones and stops along the way for a likkle this and that...maybe a sip or some jerk at Biggas, more rum, some goodies.

For that two hour trip to Negril (considering stops), and the pleasure of good company, and the reliability of the man, It's well worth it to me. You can get there cheaper, but for me I like getting there better.

Oh! and Dani, don't worry about places to eat in the cliffs, good ones are everywhere from jerk pans to fine dinning, it's all there.

HOWEVER:: If I was magically transported to Negril for dinner for just one evening...It would be 3 dives for me. Casual, great food cooked over home made charcoal, cold drinks, and you NEVER know who will drop by. Some of the best evenings that I have ever had in Negril was meeting and enjoying the company of people that I have met at 3 dives.

Wow, thanks everyone! I am absolutely blown away by how friendly and helpful everyone is on this forum.
I will definitely be checking out the links that people have been posting. After reading the responses to my questions and browsing other threads, it sounds like we really can't go wrong with using the hotel's driver or hiring someone else.

@ Dani....Yea the rep at Xtabi said $60 for me too ----When I landed I didn't see the driver so I jumped on the Juta Van for $25 to West End Area and the individual I met at the airport paid $18 for the Beach Area
She had booked her trip in advance. I simply walked up to their airport counter

http://www.jutatoursnegrilltd.com/co...servations.htm

I have always used Clives! I tried someone else before and they were an hour late. After 30 minutes of waiting (I don't do waiting very well) I called Clives and he sent someone right away. I had to hang around MoBay (had a friend coming on a flight 3 hours after mine arrived) for a bit so my driver did a quickie tour and was back in time to pick up my friend. By that time the other driver was there but it was too late for him. Clives it is for me. I use him for transport and tours.

Delta ...what is the price range for Clives?

plain jane - http://www.clivestransportservicejam...ransfers_1.htm

to Negril it's 20.00 one-way/40.00 round-trip. (rates to other places are listed on the website)

that is for a "shared" ride; meaning there *may* be others in the van with you; so far when i've used clive's i've always wound up being the only one in the van, so it turned into a 'private ride' anyway, but there could always be others at any given time. you can also book a guaranteed private ride for 70.00/140.00 if you wish -

I second Clives. Always there for me and all of his drivers have been waiting for me. I pay 20 bucks each way. Just pull up Clives website and follow the instructions. I always call the night before I leave to confirm.

we have paid 50 us (w tip) for ride from MoBay to NBCC for years, like the private rides...........

("25.00 round trip for Petrol seems high???)

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Originally Posted by Rambo

("25.00 round trip for Petrol seems high???)

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And, I thought it seemed a bit low...knowing what I pay for my car round trip.
That would only be 5 gallons for the $25.00us.

Who has used Rocky's? Saw alot about him on the other board but not much lately. We just booked him for our transfer in two weeks.l

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

And, I thought it seemed a bit low...knowing what I pay for my car round trip.
That would only be 5 gallons for the $25.00us.

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Thats what I thought! To only use 2 1/2 gallons each way especially considering how aggressive they drive.

Jane - What MissBlue said. I've shared a ride only once and that was my first trip there. On the way to Negril it was just me and a couple. The lady and I talked about wine, shoes, etc. They got off at the Palladium and then it was just me. The other times there was no one in the car but me and it was great!

Hello,

I used Rocky for my first trip last April. It was 60,00$us for the private ride. The driver was a kind of too flirting, it was not Rocky....My trip back to the airport i took Juta 25,00$.

For my second reach 2 weeks ago, i took Clives and it's 40,00$ roundtrip. We were 3 in the bus both ways. Everything was fine and very good driver. For my next trips, il will take Clives again.

I would suggest you go to Kuyaba for a lunch or dinner, very good food & wonderful ambience. You can call them for a FREE shuttle for dinner, not sure about lunch? Very good selection of foods, drinks delightful & you will be down on 7-mile beach. You can walk in the sand while you wait for dinner, all meals in Jamaica are leisurely (slow) meals because they cook foods fresh & that takes time. They also believe you should not rush meals or life, embrace the slower pace & you will truly enjoy Negril.
I would also suggest Chicken Lavish, it's up on same cliff road but not within walking distance but they also deliver. Their Fried Chicken is absolutely amazing & the sides are delicious too. Doc is the owner & he's fun to chat with while you wait. They have seafood & other good dishes too but the fried chicken reminds me of my Mom's or Grandmas's...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. A must on my list of places to eat along with 3-Dives Jerk Center (3Dives great for sunsets too). Definitely worth a cheap cab ride ($3-5. US) to Chicken Lavish & remember to establish cab price before you get in cab. The price is per ride not per person like in states. Everything is negotiable in JA & they enjoy bartering so indulge them.

Take lots of U.S. 1 dollar bills, I take at least 50 because it is easy to pay & you don't have to convert in JAs. Jamaicans will take either US or JAs but often change will be in JAs.

I have been using Rock's Taxi & Tours for about 6-7 years. He has always been very reliable and fairly priced. Rocky can be reached at 876-370-7915 or by email at roxroy45@hotmail.com.

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Dani,

What are your dates?

D

I just booked my first trip with Clives, shared when I arrive and private when I leave. Very professional response to my e mail. Booked through their website, timely repsonses. Hope this helps.

Tyrone is one of the best around pick you up on time! fair price, will stop anywhere and will stay with you any where as long as you need. also has great day trip rates and if he really likes you maybe you will get to go home with him and meet his mother and family.. Also knows where all the Ital places to eat are.. TYS.ONTIME@yahoo.com