Help For A Non-AI Newbie? Many Questions, Please Help

Hi everyone,

I will be in Negril in 4 days and it is my 1st time staying at a non-AI. I am there for 5 days.
I have been to Negril 3 times before, but never really ventured outside the resorts except for Ricks, Margaritaville, Times Square & a few excursions.

I'm staying at the Treehouse so breakfast will be taken care of, but I'm unsure what to do about lunch & dinner.
Can anyone recommend good restaurants or spots along the beach, specifically those that have jerk chicken and seafood?
I would also immensely appreciate if anyone can give me an approximation of cost.

Beach vendors: besides meat patties, what kind of juices (looking for exotic juices like guava & passionfruit) do they have other snacks as well? Approximate prices?

Where can I get good and strong rum punch or other fruity alcoholic drinks for a reasonable price? I don't drink beer so Red Stripe specials don't help. I am a skinny lady, but I can put away some liquor.
Any happy hours not to be missed? I already have the One Love Bus Pub Crawl scheduled. How much money should I bring for that and how much do people normally tip the driver?

What restaurants provide a free pick-up or taxi service? I'm open to going on the cliff side if there are excellent options for either food or nightlife.
Although the ride is free, I assume the driver is to be tipped?

Besides Times Square, where can I go to pick-up rum and rum cream for cheap? Need it for drinks in the room. ;)

Is Kuyaba worth the money for dinner?

Parasailing: is that usually a little less expensive if I use a beach service instead of the resort's service and are they both as equally as safe?

What are some good options for nightlife? I like music - either live or a D.J. I thought about trying the Jungle - is it really all you can drink for $20.00 on Saturday nights? Is that anything you want to drink? What is the cover charge?

Money - I have always used U.S. dollars. I am not a numbers person, so I get nervous about conversions, where to convert (there is a charge, right?) and if I would come out saving money by using Jamaican currency rather than U.S. If I were to convert, how much would you suggest converting? And can I convert it back before I leave?

Taxi drivers: will I do better leaving the resort (instead of asking them for a driver) and flagging down a red-plate to get around? What is the difference between a red plate taxi and a route taxi? Taxis are a safe way to get around?

I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions, answers, etc.

THANKS!

i am new to negril as well....and can only offer a little insight.....the beach is the answer to many of your questions, many places to get something to eat, there is a juice guy that walks the beach try him for juices....let us know how things go for you, have fun!!!

Beachpearl,

I suggest you go to www.RealNegril.com and checkout the schedule for live webcasts. Tonight is Seastar Inn. Join in the Live Chat and ask any questions you want.

Enjoy,

VVHT

beachpearl,

As this is your first time outside the AI you would be well served to get acquainted with a private driver/guide to help you get acquainted with Negril.

I will unabashedly recommend my son Linston. He has a licensed and insured PPV (taxi) and has spent 16 years in the States. He is my adopted son and I can promise you he will treat you fairly and show you an enjoyable time outside the AI.

Here's his web site www.redplate-negril.com

I've lived in Jamaica off and on for 40 years and most of the folks on this board know me.

Regards,

Captain Dave

PS. When you go to the web site I'm the fat white guy in the pictures

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kcwatersport

i am new to negril as well....and can only offer a little insight.....the beach is the answer to many of your questions, many places to get something to eat, there is a juice guy that walks the beach try him for juices....let us know how things go for you, have fun!!!

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Thanks - hoping I'll find most of whai I want on the beach!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VVHT

Beachpearl,

I suggest you go to www.RealNegril.com and checkout the schedule for live webcasts. Tonight is Seastar Inn. Join in the Live Chat and ask any questions you want.

Enjoy,

VVHT

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I will check that out - thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by captaind

beachpearl,

As this is your first time outside the AI you would be well served to get acquainted with a private driver/guide to help you get acquainted with Negril.

I will unabashedly recommend my son Linston. He has a licensed and insured PPV (taxi) and has spent 16 years in the States. He is my adopted son and I can promise you he will treat you fairly and show you an enjoyable time outside the AI.

Here's his web site www.redplate-negril.com

I've lived in Jamaica off and on for 40 years and most of the folks on this board know me.

Regards,

Captain Dave

PS. When you go to the web site I'm the fat white guy in the pictures

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Lol - I've added this to my favorites bar - thanks!

Kuyaba is well worth the price for dinner.
As for a driver ask for shayne at kuyaba. best in Negril. He will take good care of you.

I stayed at Country Country twice in 2012. It's right next door to Treehouse (left when facing the sea). I compiled notes before my first trip and have added to it since. It was mostly copied from "Marko's List" originally and have addd other's comments along the way. Hope it helps and isn't too confusing. Sorry, it's not very "well done", and I notice some repeats. If anyone spots changes required, please do so, maybe we can get it as up-to-date as possible.

***
Bars (there are 100's and this is just a sample - mi favorites):

Legends (beach) and SamSara (cliffs) Happy Hour 4 - 7PM
YellowBird Happy Hour 9:00 – 6:00 on da beach – 2 dirty bananas for $5
Rockhouse 6-7pm (cliffs)
SeaStar Inn Happy Hour 4-6pm (cliffs)
Canoe Happy Hour 2-6pm - 2 for 1 cocktails, 5 or 6 varieties (cliffs, close to roundabout)
Coco LaPalm 2 for one Happy Hour from 5 to 7 every night but Monday
Boat Bar for 200J Red Stripes on da beach
Sunnyside Bar (Yellow and Green with bench seating - next to ROOMS) 150J Red Stripe Beers, small little place,
SunBeach for 170J Red Stripes on da beach – “it's mi hangout on da beach”
Firefly for 170J Red Stripes on da beach (the small, clothing optional hotel)
White Sands Mondays $170J Red Stripe Beers – daily drink specials 1-4
Wild Parrot – great drinks and food, Excellent. Coconut shrimp. sunset happy hour 5-after sunset

2012 Negril Nightlife & Party Schedule
Clubs (these are the most popular but there are more)

Alfreds for Live Music on Sunday on da beach 10PM - 2PM $500J's Admission - Drinks & Beers $200J's
Cafe Goa on Sunday for Brunch on da beach road with live music - Best Coffee in Negril
Palms has Jazz on Sunday Evenings with no admission cost
White Sands on the beach, During the day on Mondays has $170J Red Stripe Beers; daily drink specials
Bourbon Beach Ladies Night on Monday at with Live Music 8:30PM to 2AM
MiYard for live DJ's on da West End Rd Late Tuesday nights till sunrise at – Open 24 Hours
Alfreds on da beach for Live Music on Tuesday nights 10PM - 2PM $500J Admission
Roots Bamboo on Wednesday nights for Live Reggae Concert on da beach 10PM till 2AM
Love Bus Pub Crawl on the Cliffs every Wednesday afternoon, usually Fridays, and sometimes adds extra nights if there’s enough people (pickup begins at 2:30, return after sunset) with free pickup and drop off; email Lenbert (best to do before leaving home, has been getting booked up, very popular) at bananaznegril@hotmail.com; Call: 874 6631 - great guy, I tipped him $20 for 2 people
Bourbon Beach Live Music on Wednesday Nights 8:30PM till 2AM and no coverage charge usually; Live Concert 9PM - 2AM on Saturday Nights
Jungle on Thursday nights for Ladies Night (no cover for women) on da beach road 10PM till everyone leaves (late party place, usually till 4 a.m.) young locals and mix of tourists. DJ, dance club place; Sat is open bar or "all inclusive" they call it there all night...and ladies get in free from 9-10pm only...
Sunset's on the Beach on Thursday nights for 2-4-1 redstripes & rum & free live music.
Charela Inn blues on Thursday nights on da beach, Jamaican folk dancers/entertainment on Sat. nights (early crowd, 7-9pm ish)
SeaWind on Thursday nights has a dinner buffet with live music and show
Canoe Bar and Grill - Thursday afternoons at da for Live Steel Drum Music (6-9pm); 2-6PM is Happy Hour everyday, 2 for one on 5 or 6 drinks – also have Caesars (Canadian influence) – good food, pineapple chill dessert. Just past the cliff side of the roundabout.
Alfreds on da beach for Live Music on Friday nights 10PM - 2PM $500J Admission
Idle Awhile restaurant (Chill Awhile) Friday night buffet (can order from menu) and live music show
LTU on the Cliffs DJ on Friday nights
Margaritaville. Upstairs Fridays from 10PM until 2AM $1000J's all you can drink DJ's
SeaStar Inn on da Cliffs on Saturday nights for $18 for the buffet and entertainment - free pickup and dropoff too!
Jungle Disco is happening on Saturday nights 10PM till 4AM - Ladies drink free from 9PM - 10PM


Groceries and booze:

Mega Mart, Montego Bay – beer in with the groceries; hard liquor, separate area after the tills (pay separately), accept VISA, has a LIME cell phone counter in the store (to the right and towards the back wall when you come in the store, also has a Scotiabank ATM that you pass by when going to LIME counter), may have to ask an employee to call someone to the LIME desk (it’s just a small counter) – paid $999 JMD ($10.50 CAD) for cheapest cell phone incl SIM and $100 JMD in minutes. Can call Can. for $2.99 JMD per minute (3 cents per minute), don’t need an “international plan”. Local LIME to LIME calling is the same cost, LIME to Digicel or local landlines is $8.99 JMD per minute (9 cents per minute)
Negril:
ValueMaster (right by roundabout, closer to beach road, if taking route taxi, you can ask to be dropped off in front). LIME cell store is above this store
HiLo (close to roundabout, but on the cliff route, better for cliff stays) HiLo: 9-7 M-Thur, 9-8 Fri & Sat; 9-3 Sunday
Shamrock (about a mile along the beach road towards the roundabout). Small shop (like a convenience store) on the beach road. Good Prices, well stocked small store
K One (in burger king mall by roundabout), often called, Chinamon’s. Good prices, grocery items and booze, open longer hours, than Valuemaster or HiLO, will also cash travellers cheques, and exchange money for a good rate. Digicel cell phone store is in this strip mall


Mikey's is expensive and very small (close to CC, North, across the road) – mix or small selection of booze in a pinch. There is a better one a bit further North, but I haven’t been. Shamrock works well after going to ATM at Time Square (shopping centre) or to the Cambio (to exchange cash or travelers cheques, in front of Bourbon Beach)

live local entertainment:
beach bars usually have live reggae bands doing cover material of familiar reggae tunes -*Alfreds (Sun, Tue, Fri) cover charge $500JMD $6CDN,
*Roots Bamboo (Wed)
*Canoe Bar (Thurs)
Boat Bar for some free live reggae featuring Otis gayle.....ice cold redstripes and food that is delicious!!! ??? Red Stripe catamaran

One Love Bus bar crawl, Lenbert @ bananaznegril@hotmail.com; Call: 874 6631

There's a grocery store (Mini Mart I think?) just up the beach road from Treehouse, they have a pretty good selection. We stayed next door at Country Country and it was an easy walk.

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Parasailing - there are only 1 or 2 actual boat operators, so who you "buy" it from doesn't make much of a difference.

Exchange - you can exchange before you go (have your bank order it for you) or use an ATM in Negril to get cash out. Depending on where you bank there may be fees attached to that... They will take USD, but it usually ends up costing more.

Enjoy your 1st non-AI experience, I'm sure you'll love it - we're hooked!

Route taxis:
Beach road is one route; cliff road a different route, separated pretty much by the roundabout
Example:
Route taxi:
1)Jamaica $200s. (one way for 2 people, $100j for 1)
2) Go out to the street on the beach side. Look as though you might possibly consider taking a route cab.
3) In about 30 seconds, a route cab will beep at you (it will have red plates and the route will be stenciled on the front door or fender). Raise your arm, and when the driver pulls in, say Route taxi, and/or $100 pp? He'll say Yes
4) Get in. Say Roundabout
5) At the roundabout, hand him JA $200 and get out.
6) on way back, walk across the street (don't get run over here - remember what direction traffic comes from!).
7) Repeat step 3.
8) Get in. Say Country Country
9) When he stops at Country Country, hand him $200 JA and get out.
If going to west end (or vice versa), ask if he will do it direct - $500 for 2? $600 would be ok (you pay extra for the convenience of not having to change taxis – and if the driver agrees, he doesn’t have to go off his route and won’t if it’s busy.

Route taxis line up on the road perpendicular to main road "in front of Valuemaster"- inbetween Valuemaster & Scotiabank

Restaurants:

Beach area:

Breakfast: Montana’s, Alfred’s
*Kuyaba will pick up free (876) 957-4318 or 876 957-9815; http://www.kuyaba.com/dining.htm; kuyaba@cwjamaica.com; entertainment, S, T, Th, F - dinner special before 6 pm
Charela – higher end, good, pricier
Ossie's Top Taste (Miss Madge's – “For a great, true Jamaican, great value evening meal try Ossie's Top Taste (Miss Madge's) located on the beach road by Donaldson's Inn and across for Ossie's Jerk Centre. Miss Madge makes the best fried Red Snapper that we have ever had and if you like chicken chop suey you can't go wrong. With exception of lobster not a meal over 10us. It's a can't miss.”
*Sunbeach (walking distance, head left when facing ocean) tables on beach for dinner; sandflies - use lemon juice! Good, reasonably priced, day or evening
Chill While at Idle Awhile, pricier
Niah's patties (have to walk through to the park, past a couple of vendor huts on the left)
Cool Spot
Cosmos, very casual
Coletta's
Sunrise Club (after Time Square, lobster; wood cooked pizza, nice looking) (876) 957-4293 - no pick up
*Alfred's blackened chicken; fish/chips - ent. Sun, Tues, Fri $500 jmd/$6 cdn - no pick up
Shereta's @ Sea Wind - Thurs buffet/live show 6:30 $25 pp 957-9018 – this buffet has not the best reviews, but entertainment good, ordering off menu, good reviews.
Norman is the patty guy on beach with the box on his bicycle, nice guy, good food - $1 patty, veggie, beef, chicken, shrimp, lobster
Treehouse, good crab cakes and jerk chicken at lunch, patty place other side of Treehouse
*Wild Parrot
*Angelas (excellent pizza; good chicken, ribs, above Bar B Barn)
*Cool Spot
*Pilots Cafe
*Montanas

West end:

LTU, close to Rick’s
Ixtabi for lunch (can stay all day) 1-876-957 0121 1-876-957 0524 957-0121 (local) http://www.xtabi-negril.com/welcome.htm, xtabiresort@cwjamaica.com - take route taxi, ask if they'll take 2 of us direct to Ixtabi for $500 JMD ($600 would be ok) – best dirty banana, $6, no happy hour 
Ivan's – email to reserve catchafallingstar2@gmail.com – non guests can only go on property for dinner after 5 pm; ask for their best cliff/sunset view table and go about 5:30 so you’re seated for sunset, and so you get to see the property before dark.
3 Dives – great jerk chicken, lobster; casual picnic table dining, slow service, go early and relax, right beside Xtabi
Sips n Bites
Rockhouse 1.876.957.4373; info@rockhousehotel.com; http://www.rockhousehotel.com/eat.php - Rockhouse burger 11;00-5:00 only; $12 - $25 +
*Seastar Inn (free shuttle pick up/drop off, nice pool) 876-957-0553 reservations@seastarinn.com great burgers, coco shrimp, pizza, will pick up and return free, anytime; also has the popular Sat. night buffet and live entertainment
Seastar – handmade (by owner) hammock $60
Bentley Crab House 393-6768, highly recommended by regulars, a one-man show, on peewee lane just up from the cliff road....... Crab cakes/special sauce, tell him don't want it too spicey, or ask for sauce on the side. you have to talk to him to preorder the day before or the morning of as he buys fresh ingredients for your meal. You also pay a deposit for him to do so.
Just Natural used to be beside Xtabi, has moved to far West End, would need to taxi; lots recommend

Restaurants Inbetween (but still on the cliff side of the roundabout):

Ciao Jamaica free pickup or delivery, italian, US beef, pizza, pasta (876) 957-4395; eat@ciaojamaica.com; eat@ciaojamaica.com; 3-10 pm; free wifi; $12 - $25
Canoe Bar and Grill **canoebeachbar@gmail.com 876-878-5893; There is also a great little private beach @ Canoe with equally good snorkelling, nice beach chairs and umbrellas, and a covered deck - great place to hangout for the day away from the hustle of the big beach, great dinner spot as well, you get to literally sit at the seaside, and enjoy an amazing view of the seven mile beach. also free wifi, and Kirby's wicked rum punch (and red stripe, few other cocktails) (2 for 1 from 2-6pm everyday) - Thurs. live steel band

I’ve been to CC (Country Country) - they have very good food, not the most economical (skip dessert) good food if you don't won't to walk far or taxi; Kuyaba, Ivan’s, Xtabi for lunch, Seasplash for lunch, Canoe Bar & Grill, Seastar, Sunbeach, Norman’s patties on the beach (bicycle guy), Alfred’s (fish & chips)

I like to change money at FX Traders which is inside the air-conditioned HI-LO grocery store at the Sunshine Plaza.
You'll need I.D. and you'll get a good rate.
Do not change money with the touts outside the store who approach you.
Yes you can change the money back to US when you leave, if you have surplus.
Change a couple of hundred to begin with.
You'll probably spend that on taxi's, drinks etc in 4 days.

You won't have to 'flag' a taxi outside Treehouse. You'll be honked at; gestured to; asked if you want a taxi. Negotiate before hoping in.
From Treehouse to lets say the HI-LO plaza; I wouldn't pay more than 500J for a charter ride. Thats about 6 dollars; far cheaper than a cab in your hometown for the same distance. That's on the high side.

Good advice above. You can buy rum at the Quality Traders. The juice guys walk down the beach and will have fresh orange, pineapple, mango, papaya, soursop for $5 US for 750ml. Mix with rum for a delicious drink. Go South (left) on the beach to Rainbow Arch for good food. Stop at Firefly during the day and visit with the crazy naked people and all of the Jamaicans that hang out there. On the road roughly across from Coco La Palm is Best in the West jerk chicken. All of these are a 10-55 min. walk from Treehouse. The jerk pork man on the beach has good pork. We had a god supper last week at Country Country which is next door to you.

Oops 10-15 min walk

A lot of questions but anything you want will find you.

We also like the fx trader for our money exchange but it is no longer inside the Hi Lo. They have their own air conditioned place next door.

Another spot that everyone loves, is Red Dragon.. Great local spot with a wonderful bar, coldest beer in town and full of an eclectic blend of locals and tourists. The best jerk pork in Negril IMHO. Gotta get there early to get some though. It is not on the beach however. Grab a few friends and a route taxi...for a special day indeed. This message board will be full of great ideas and ventures. Some really terrific folks that are eager to help a newbie. We have all been there. Enjoy your holiday and have fun!!!

beachpearl.

So now you have 50 or 60 places to go in four days and you've never really left t AI before.

Call Linston and give him the list. He'll show you as much or as little of them that you wish.

Yetta can tell you more about Linston


Captain Dave

Shayne's number is 876-3599. Excellent cabbie that will take good care of you. safe driver. he also took us back to the airport when we were ready to leave.

For a newbie only staying 4 nights, I'd suggest using the cambio in front of Bourbon Beach unless you were going to HiLo anyway (it's a little walk past the roundabout and that all can be a tad overwhelming the first time or two) From Country Country, I've walked to Bourbon Beach along the beach, stopped at the cambio in front along the street, and across to Time Square and then usually hop a route taxi back. Shamrock store is on the way back towards Treehouse on the same side of the road as Time Square, so if you need anything stop in there and then grab a taxi if you like. This is easily doable and takes care of a lot of business while still getting in a nice beach walk and not having to navigate "downtown" if you'd rather not. The ATM at Time Square is a Scotiabank. I opened an account before my last trip and used it with no extra international fees.

I hope you've printed the Negril map to look over and take along. It is a life saver the first time so that all these names/places and their locations can fall into place. http://www.maherconsulting.com/negri...Map11-2-11.pdf

Re: $ for the pub crawl, he stops at 6 or 7 places. Drinks are $3-$6 each ($6 for a fabulous dirty banana at Xtabi). When I went, they had pizza by the slice for sale at Bella Donna's at the end, $2 a slice, I believe. Then don't forget your tip $ for Lenbert.

Re: JMD, just roughly think of $100j being equal to just over $1 (about $1.12). So if something is $500j, you're paying under $6; $1000j, under $12, etc. works well for me rather than actually calculating. I've got an iPhone app that converts currency. I don't carry my iPhone around with me there, but after playing around with it, it's helped me get the idea.

Have fun, it'll be great!

A lot of your questions have already been answered. Definitely have dinner at a cliffs spot one night and plan to get there before sunset--most will send a driver to pick you up. As far as patties, I love Niahs, it is in Wavz park which is an easy walk--plus there are carvers, painters, etc that have booths there if you want to check out some crafts. There is a jerk pork guy you can flag down on the beach, patties as well. Try soursop juice from a juice vendor, and orange is always good. Almost all of the mini marts and big stores sell rum and rum cream. There isn't a huge difference in price so since you are there for such a short time, I would go for what is close to you. For jerk chicken, I like Best in the West and love Bourbon Beach --but any barrel guy is usually a good bet. Ask the staff at the place you are staying--they can direct you. Again since you are staying for such a short time, you may want to take Captain's advice and get a personal driver. I never get cabs through the place I am staying as my first trip to Negril I was seriously overcharged when I did that. I take route taxis, but for convenience you might just want a driver you can call that you know is fair. Especially for when you are going out at night. Have a great trip and if, after you have gone through the many responses you get here and still have Qs, post them. This board is great resource.

Captaind is right! Linston is really a great guy. Trust mi mon, he will take good care of you. He knows all the runnings and is a really safe driver. You will have no worries at all if you hook up with Linston. There is nothing more comforting when you venture out on your own...than having a great driver. He is dependable and will treat you with respect...like family. I highly recommend him! Have a great vacation venturing out to see the real Jamaica.

Is the Red Dragon the same place as Raggabone? Because you said the best jerk pork I am assuming so.

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Originally Posted by Bob-n-Sandra

Is the Red Dragon the same place as Raggabone? Because you said the best jerk pork I am assuming so.

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Yes, Red Dragon is owned by Raggabones.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beachpearl

Hi everyone,

I will be in Negril in 4 days and it is my 1st time staying at a non-AI. I am there for 5 days.
I have been to Negril 3 times before, but never really ventured outside the resorts except for Ricks, Margaritaville, Times Square & a few excursions.

I'm staying at the Treehouse so breakfast will be taken care of, but I'm unsure what to do about lunch & dinner.

Check out our nightly Diiner Specials from Chef Donna, Chef Davis or Chef Perlina


Can anyone recommend good restaurants or spots along the beach, specifically those that have jerk chicken and seafood?

Jerk ?? Served daily by our Movie Star Chef Allan- I eat it almost daily myself


I would also immensely appreciate if anyone can give me an approximation of cost.

Beach vendors: besides meat patties, what kind of juices (looking for exotic juices like guava & passionfruit) do they have other snacks as well? Approximate prices?

Where can I get good and strong rum punch or other fruity alcoholic drinks for a reasonable price? I don't drink beer so Red Stripe specials don't help. I am a skinny lady, but I can put away some liquor.
Any happy hours not to be missed? I already have the One Love Bus Pub Crawl scheduled. How much money should I bring for that and how much do people normally tip the driver?

What restaurants provide a free pick-up or taxi service? I'm open to going on the cliff side if there are excellent options for either food or nightlife.
Although the ride is free, I assume the driver is to be tipped?

Please tip Henry the driver from Seastar or One Love Bus Crawl !!:)

Besides Times Square, where can I go to pick-up rum and rum cream for cheap? Need it for drinks in the room. ;)

Is Kuyaba worth the money for dinner?

Parasailing: is that usually a little less expensive if I use a beach service instead of the resort's service and are they both as equally as safe?

Yes Capt Quality does Parasailing

What are some good options for nightlife? I like music - either live or a D.J. I thought about trying the Jungle - is it really all you can drink for $20.00 on Saturday nights? Is that anything you want to drink? What is the cover charge?

Money - I have always used U.S. dollars. I am not a numbers person, so I get nervous about conversions, where to convert (there is a charge, right?) and if I would come out saving money by using Jamaican currency rather than U.S. If I were to convert, how much would you suggest converting? And can I convert it back before I leave?


Take small US $$ - we also change US at the front desk


Taxi drivers: will I do better leaving the resort (instead of asking them for a driver) and flagging down a red-plate to get around? What is the difference between a red plate taxi and a route taxi? Taxis are a safe way to get around?

Your choice - drivers on property that have been there for years Trevor, Norris, Clive and Richard
Professional guys


I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions, answers, etc.

THANKS!

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You are most welcome
Gail Jackson
I live on property so don't miss our weekly complimentary cocktail party on Saturday

We did out first non-AI last Jan. Had to miss our winter trip this year. We had a fabulous time. Kuyaba was a wonderful place for dinner. Ivan's even better. We loved Xtabi, as well. Niah's patties were fab. Best in the West was great, but the bar is uncomfortable. Get it to go. We bought liquor at the duty free at the airport before we left and did the hi-lo. Next time we will stop on our way, rather than take time out of our trip. We did not do the bus, but next time it will be a must. We used dollars. We love Negril. It is a great beach locale. The cliffs are great, too.

We found Kuyaba good, but very touristy and expensive. The portions were huge though, I got the lobster thermador and could barely dent it, made for a good lunch the next day. We prefer smaller, low-key places like Cosmo's, Rainbow Arch. Chill Awhile is good and has fairly quick service. Favorites are more on the cliff side, like Canoe, LTU, 3 Dives, Eddie's DeBar.
For lunch, we enjoy Niah's patties, Jerk pork from Dean (walks the beach), beach pattie guy, fish and chips from Alfred's, Rainbow Arch.
It helps to have Jamaican dollars, otherwise most will just round up.
We stop at Mega Mart on the way in to stock up on supplies, usually had the girls at Nirvana cook us breakfast, we're usually not up for an hour wait that time of day.
Make sure you don't go out to eat too hungry, most places prep and cook everything to order, avg wait time about an hour, more at 3 Dives, but worth it.
Rum punches are usually strong and good bang for the buck. At most places, two gets you pretty wasted.
Food is not too expensive, as long as you stay away from lobster. Unfortunately, my wife and girls love lobster, so meals got expensive, but delicious.

Here is a picture of Tony the juice guy that walks the beach each morning
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Here is a picture of Norman the pattie guy with a bike and he also walks the beach but sometimes would sell out before he got to CoCo
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaherring

Kuyaba is well worth the price for dinner.
As for a driver ask for shayne at kuyaba. best in Negril. He will take good care of you.

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I will have to remember that.
Thanks

WOOOOOW - Melody! Thank you sooo much for posting all of that info - this is great stuff.
I am going to be sure to print it

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

There's a grocery store (Mini Mart I think?) just up the beach road from Treehouse, they have a pretty good selection. We stayed next door at Country Country and it was an easy walk.

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Parasailing - there are only 1 or 2 actual boat operators, so who you "buy" it from doesn't make much of a difference.

Exchange - you can exchange before you go (have your bank order it for you) or use an ATM in Negril to get cash out. Depending on where you bank there may be fees attached to that... They will take USD, but it usually ends up costing more.

Enjoy your 1st non-AI experience, I'm sure you'll love it - we're hooked!

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Thanks for the pictures - they are always helpful :)

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Originally Posted by Melody

Route taxis:
Beach road is one route; cliff road a different route, separated pretty much by the roundabout
Example:
Route taxi:
1)Jamaica $200s. (one way for 2 people, $100j for 1)
2) Go out to the street on the beach side. Look as though you might possibly consider taking a route cab.
3) In about 30 seconds, a route cab will beep at you (it will have red plates and the route will be stenciled on the front door or fender). Raise your arm, and when the driver pulls in, say Route taxi, and/or $100 pp? He'll say Yes
4) Get in. Say Roundabout
5) At the roundabout, hand him JA $200 and get out.
6) on way back, walk across the street (don't get run over here - remember what direction traffic comes from!).
7) Repeat step 3.
8) Get in. Say Country Country
9) When he stops at Country Country, hand him $200 JA and get out.
If going to west end (or vice versa), ask if he will do it direct - $500 for 2? $600 would be ok (you pay extra for the convenience of not having to change taxis – and if the driver agrees, he doesn’t have to go off his route and won’t if it’s busy.

Route taxis line up on the road perpendicular to main road "in front of Valuemaster"- inbetween Valuemaster & Scotiabank

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I keep reading about the "roundabout". what exactly is that?

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Originally Posted by Big_frank

I like to change money at FX Traders which is inside the air-conditioned HI-LO grocery store at the Sunshine Plaza.
You'll need I.D. and you'll get a good rate.
Do not change money with the touts outside the store who approach you.
Yes you can change the money back to US when you leave, if you have surplus.
Change a couple of hundred to begin with.
You'll probably spend that on taxi's, drinks etc in 4 days.

You won't have to 'flag' a taxi outside Treehouse. You'll be honked at; gestured to; asked if you want a taxi. Negotiate before hoping in.
From Treehouse to lets say the HI-LO plaza; I wouldn't pay more than 500J for a charter ride. Thats about 6 dollars; far cheaper than a cab in your hometown for the same distance. That's on the high side.

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It was like that when I was near the entrance of the AI I stayed at when I was using the resort's driver service.
I was always afraid to get in one of those, though.

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Originally Posted by Jaherring

Shayne's number is 876-3599. Excellent cabbie that will take good care of you. safe driver. he also took us back to the airport when we were ready to leave.

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876 572 3599

The roundabout is the traffic circle in Negril

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Originally Posted by beachpearl

I keep reading about the "roundabout". what exactly is that?

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Have a look at the map I posted a link to earlier. Really, print it out, the beach page for sure (on legal paper) and maybe the cliff page as well. The downtown page is a bit helpful but several of the businesses listed in the shopping centres are not up-to-date. Among everything else listed, you will see where the roundabout is located.

The roundabout is a traffic circle that is at the end of the beach road. Just on the other side of the roundabout (towards the sea) you will find the downtown shops (Value Master, HiLo, Scotiabank, etc) and it then becomes the cliff road.

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Originally Posted by tahrheel

Good advice above. You can buy rum at the Quality Traders. The juice guys walk down the beach and will have fresh orange, pineapple, mango, papaya, soursop for $5 US for 750ml. Mix with rum for a delicious drink. Go South (left) on the beach to Rainbow Arch for good food. Stop at Firefly during the day and visit with the crazy naked people and all of the Jamaicans that hang out there. On the road roughly across from Coco La Palm is Best in the West jerk chicken. All of these are a 10-55 min. walk from Treehouse. The jerk pork man on the beach has good pork. We had a god supper last week at Country Country which is next door to you.

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What is soursop juice and what does it taste like or taste similar to?

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Originally Posted by yetta

Another spot that everyone loves, is Red Dragon.. Great local spot with a wonderful bar, coldest beer in town and full of an eclectic blend of locals and tourists. The best jerk pork in Negril IMHO. Gotta get there early to get some though. It is not on the beach however. Grab a few friends and a route taxi...for a special day indeed. This message board will be full of great ideas and ventures. Some really terrific folks that are eager to help a newbie. We have all been there. Enjoy your holiday and have fun!!!

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This board has beenn immensely helpful and I am thankful of all replies!

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Originally Posted by yetta

Captaind is right! Linston is really a great guy. Trust mi mon, he will take good care of you. He knows all the runnings and is a really safe driver. You will have no worries at all if you hook up with Linston. There is nothing more comforting when you venture out on your own...than having a great driver. He is dependable and will treat you with respect...like family. I highly recommend him! Have a great vacation venturing out to see the real Jamaica.

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I am leaning toward hiring a driver for the duration...