rent a car for a day?

Hi all. Have really enjoyed this forum. Thanks to all for the amazing tips (and stories:) My husband and I will be staying in Negril (on the beach) in 12 days to be exact, not that we're counting. We are adventurers. I've been to 12-13 islands, some more than once. We almost always rent a car, even if just for a day to do a little exploring. I know from what you've all said that the red plates are easily accessible, BUT, the option of having a car, just for a day, and if only to explore the coast for a bit on our own time, is appealing. We are not kids (as I will pass a 50th something birthday in Negril). We know not to venture far off "the beaten path" (although we would like to). But just to have the freedom to roam up and down, stop when drawn in, leave when ready... Your thoughts? Thank you!! Soon come.

"But just to have the freedom to roam up and down, stop when drawn in, leave when ready..."

Most drivers will do that for you, plus they know the roads and the runnings. Hire them for the day and they'll take you wherever you want to go; it may not even cost more than a rental and you may actually enjoy it more. Personally I would never consider driving a car in Jamaica, it's not like home for sure, and add to that the fact that they drive on the other side of the road...

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

"But just to have the freedom to roam up and down, stop when drawn in, leave when ready..."

Most drivers will do that for you, plus they know the roads and the runnings. Hire them for the day and they'll take you wherever you want to go; it may not even cost more than a rental and you may actually enjoy it more. Personally I would never consider driving a car in Jamaica, it's not like home for sure, and add to that the fact that they drive on the other side of the road...

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yes, most drivers will do that for you, but then, you are stuck with this driver on your "journey" . . .

dragonfly,

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
PPS. If you really want to get off the beaten track he'll take out out to my yard. About 7 mi from town but very different

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renting a car is a good value vs. a hired car.It is not for the faint of heart. you will be lost. you will be scared. It will take both of you to manage.The reward is priceless adventure.

This is making for a great "discussion" here on the homefront. Thank you all for your responses thus far. My husband (a musician among other things - and aren't there plenty of us in that category?) is now belting out a song that includes some funky reggae progessive vibe "can't take a wronga turn man, i not driving...") More like this; "Can't take a wronga turna man....i .. not ... driving." Would attach the sheet music but.. By the end of the night maybe we'll have a music video. Thanks for the i & i (info. and inspiration).

What a wonderful memory Captaind!! Wish I were there now...:)
Dragonfly...I can tell you that Linston is really a great guy and quite a safe driver. Having a car (which I have done one time for one day) is nice....but it is much nicer to just kick back, have drinks or whatever, and not have to worry about driving. Whatever you choose, have fun and be safe.

If you need a driver, check with Shayne. He hangs out at Kuyaba most days and is a hard working young man who will take good care of you. We used him many time while in Negril and he also carried us back to the airport. Great cabbie!!

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Originally Posted by pine tree john

renting a car is a good value vs. a hired car.It is not for the faint of heart. you will be lost. you will be scared. It will take both of you to manage.The reward is priceless adventure.

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i agree it's the best value . . . and not for the faint of heart . . . i started driving in ja at 54, i'm a woman, drove around, up and down and across the island a lot in the last 8 years alone a lot of the times . . . yes, it takes balls, but worth every mile!!! . . . can't compare being driven to driving yourself!! . . . priceless!!

While having a driver is great and a fair value in itself I long for the day I road trip it across Ja. Just make sure you get a map and GPS for the rental car and all should be good. And please post about your experiences to inspire those like myself.

Driving is priceless-and no, not for everyone.I stay way out in the country-so it makes more sense for me to drive-or I'd be waiting all day for route taxis,etc and paying small ransom for private driver...
My next stay i will be venturing out of the yard and back to PA and south-eastern Jam..been 2 yrs since i been out that way and going to do lot of sightseeing that would only be possible with ones own car..(or pay $$$$ for a driver) i like the freedom to go where i want to explore and when I want...So much see in Jam-I decided about year ago that if was really going to see all of the Island like i wanted to-i'd have to learn to drive there...It really wasnt that hard-just a little anxious at times-...

If you dont rent, I'm sure Capt's son would be a great driver for hire...

My husband and I have been renting a car since our very fist trip to Jamaica. We explored a large part of the island our first trip as we would hop around every other day. Get a good map and you should be fine. But you do need to be constantly aware of other drivers and people/animals/potholes along the road so it does take a bit away from the sightseeing for the driver. I loved the freedom to do as you please.

Hi everyone Im Abby.This is my first post but have been here for years.My wife and I have been coming to Ja. sinc 1990 about 18 trips. We have always rented a car from trip one.Nothing in our opinion beats it.We have driven at nite over the mountains from Kingston to Port Antonio to our daily afternoon drive to wherever after the beach in the midafternoon.We would drive where ever we felt, always beinging careful just as we did when driving in NYC or Boston or MSP.Nothing for us could ever replace the joy of seeing Ja this way. Rent the car and have a great time......................

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Originally Posted by abby

Hi everyone Im Abby.This is my first post but have been here for years.My wife and I have been coming to Ja. sinc 1990 about 18 trips. We have always rented a car from trip one.Nothing in our opinion beats it.We have driven at nite over the mountains from Kingston to Port Antonio to our daily afternoon drive to wherever after the beach in the midafternoon.We would drive where ever we felt, always beinging careful just as we did when driving in NYC or Boston or MSP.Nothing for us could ever replace the joy of seeing Ja this way. Rent the car and have a great time......................

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i'm glad to hear that there are other folks here that are not afraid to drive in jamaica and experience how priceless the experience is!!!! . . . driver prices was the driving force behind my renting my own vehicles . . . i either rented or would have been stuck in one place!!!

Thank you all for your thoughts. Last night we were starting to think maybe no to the rental thing BUT, now we aren't so sure we shouldn't go for it, at least for a day. Where is the best place in negril to rent a car? cost per day? THANK YOU!! (We will definitely find a driver for other days and appreciate those recommendations as well.)

I have wanted to do this on many of our trips, my wife refuses to let me. With the roundabouts, the fact that Jamaicans drive on the opposite side of the road I am used to, and the steering wheel where I think of as the passenger spot, it is just not for me.

I am trying to get approval for a scooter rental for a couple days, not having much luck there, either.

Here is a link to Vernon's Car Rentals in Negril which gives the rates for the vehicles they have.
http://negril.com/transport/vernons.htm

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

I have wanted to do this on many of our trips, my wife refuses to let me. With the roundabouts, the fact that Jamaicans drive on the opposite side of the road I am used to, and the steering wheel where I think of as the passenger spot, it is just not for me.

I am trying to get approval for a scooter rental for a couple days, not having much luck there, either.

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Your wife sounds a bit like me, LOL!! My husband talked about renting a car this trip, he was easily convinced with my line of. "If you are driving, there will be no rum drinking" Awwwww.. *sad face*

He would also love to rent a scooter, that one I have put on the maybe, we'll see, ask me later, list... ;)

We rented a car a few years back after countless trips. We thought we were ready for it, as we rent cars in most foreign countries. We were not planning on driving in town too much, so we had no worries about the country roads.
ISSUE: The whole driving on the left.
I thought this would not be an issue, as we were planning on daylight driving. But I would NEVER do it again. Even if the cost of a guide is more, I will always do that for safety sake. And, most drivers that we have hired take no offense when we stroll off on private moments.
It just i not worth it to accidentally head in the wrong lane with the fast driving of others being considered......

Definitely not for the faint of heart ..... but I always rent a car so that I can have the freedom of coming and going at whim. One time, when staying for an extended stay, I purchased a used car .... was cheaper than renting in the long run - then sold the car when I left the island.

the driving on the left was only an issue the first few times i drove, after that, it was pretty normal . . .

Driving on the left wasnt too bad for me to get down and roundabouts ,well i just take my time and slowly creep into them .It was when i got on freeways,changed streets at major crosslights,etc..I really have to pay attention to that....But i take my time,dont care if cars have to wait behind me-always better to be slow and safe than sorry....With that said-I do sometime feel safer driving myself around than i have in the back of some taxis...Their tailgating, overtaking,unsafe speeding etc,etc.and the fact many dont have seatbelts(in the back) makes me a little edgy..

Shout-out to Jitters,she was one of of a few ladies that inspired and encouraged me to drive in Jam...Thanks Jitters!!!!

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Originally Posted by suzengrace

Driving on the left wasnt too bad for me to get down and roundabouts ,well i just take my time and slowly creep into them .It was when i got on freeways,changed streets at major crosslights,etc..I really have to pay attention to that....But i take my time,dont care if cars have to wait behind me-always better to be slow and safe than sorry....With that said-I do sometime feel safer driving myself around than i have in the back of some taxis...Their tailgating, overtaking,unsafe speeding etc,etc.and the fact many dont have seatbelts(in the back) makes me a little edgy..

Shout-out to Jitters,she was one of of a few ladies that inspired and encouraged me to drive in Jam...Thanks Jitters!!!!

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hey suzengrace, i'm so glad you took the plunge . . . nothing like driving yourself . . . shoutout to ohliz who also took the plunge and started driving . . . . . . WE THREE ROCK!!!!!

LOVE the freedom or having my own wheels, the round abouts are the only thing that give me trouble...... GO FOR IT!

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Well, we returned from negril yesterday (sad, alas), but thought I'd share what we did regarding the driver/rental car thing. We got too lazy to rent a car!! But we did hire Archie (friend of Kerry from Joe Cool's), and it was fabulous! A great decision for us as we didn't care to hit all the typical spots but instead, hit the road less traveled for about 6 hours. Archie is from the far west end, friends and family everywhere, and a great guy. Here's the blog I sent to family:
"Oh what it means to get off the beaten path. Just had the most magical day. Traveled to the far south end of the island as only a native of the land would know it. On paths, not roads, where you are welcomed into a home by the sea, fish is caught by one neighbor and cleaned in front of you, vegetables are grown by another and offered to the meal. Your friend prepares an outdoor fire by the the rocks near the sea and proceeds to make you the meal of your life".

glad yo had a good time . . . what you described is a pretty common occurrence once one leaves negril and travels on the "roads less travelled" . . . jamaican folks, away from the resort areas are very humble and kind.

Happy to hear you got out into the country.

That's my Jamaica.

I too long for the freedom to come and go as i please without having a stranger with me at every turn, not to have my every movement clocked by others. and its not like i would need a car every day but whenever i felt like it. i've driven on the left before and you adapt soon...one of these days. shout out to the lady that bought and sold a car..ingenuous!

I heard you shouting out jitterbug :)

I do enjoy renting a car, but I usually don't in Negril, only when I am going somewhere far and expensive to get to with a driver. I actually rent specifically to go off the beaten path so if that is not your intention, don't bother, I say :)

I've rented from Vernon's - that was just OK we had some issues with the car but they were addressed when we returned it. I have rented from Island Cruiser, that was fine. I have rented from Sparks, a small company, and that was also fine. All are based in Negril, SParks and Vernons will deliver the car to the airport if you want.

Driving on the left was really not a big deal for me to get used to at all, other than learning to "feel" the physical space to my left in relation to vegetation, the edge of the road, etc. What took longer was getting good at dodging potholes while also watching for oncoming traffic in my lane around blind curves, and making sure I was aware of the movements of all the people, animals and taxis around me. Also, getting stuck behind a truck on a curvy road stinks. Passing in the imaginary 3rd lane is OK on a straightaway, though I did get a $1000J ticket for it in Portland last trip.

My advice: If you want to go somewhere and aren't in a hurry and won't be drinking/etc., give it a try. It's fun to go to, say, Mandeville or Treasure Beach from Negril in a car. From here to there in Negril I find a taxi easier, the traffic is a little stressful there.

I wrote a blog post about driving. Need to re-upload my photos and haven't had the time but my observations are intact: http://www.travelsinjamaica.com/2010...xperience.html