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Yay or Nay?
On the map it looks like its only about a block and a half. I have some slight concerns about walking on the road, but we should be arriving around 12:30 - 1:00 in the afternoon so it will be light out.
Has anyone done this? Or are we better off just taking a cab?
Your right on the distance...so I guess it depends on how much luggage you have to walk with.
I am hoping for just one suitcase (haven't started packing yet, but as the years have gone on we bring less and less with us to Jamaica), it may be two though, so each of us would be pulling one.
Keep in mind that there are no sidewalks between the aerodome and CN. You'll be walking on the shoulder of the street. We've just taken a cab and cost us US$10.
Yay...
:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy
$10 US, really? I'm not a cheapskate, but that seems kinda steep for such a short distance?
Before the new road to Negril, I used to take the plane on ocassion. I would have the pilot call a taxi to meet us when we landed. I don't remember the cost, but it wasn't excessive. Helps to negotiate in advance.
For me it was a no brainer. I would be coming from Boston out of the deep cold and into the hot caribbean weather. No need to start the vacation drenched in sweat...
Good luck,
VVHT
Quote:
Originally Posted by VVHT
Good point! ;)
I love the different perspectives... :) We come out of Chicago and can't wait to stretch our legs, feel the heat (sweat 'n' all), then hit the sea for cool-down, and the bar for refreshments! YEARS ago we walked from the aerodrome to Hedo. It was a little bit more of a trek than where Couples is...but it was definitely do-able. One other time we switched rooms out on the beach stretch...road-side to beach front... each pulling a bag, and me carrying a coconut! Drew a few extra beep-beeps, thumbs ups, and laughter from the drivers!
Good luck with your decisions... and whether it's $5, $10, $20...whatever... in our case it's about the freedom of not being in a car, bundled up in winter jackets and boots like at home... Have fun! - k :)
Thanks Kathy!!
Yes, I thought $10 was a bit much too, but I was too tired from traveling to negotiate. I don't think I tipped the driver since he was hitting me for $10 to begin with. I figured that for the two of us and all of my wife's shoes, $10 total was doable :) . I probably should have just waled out to the street and hailed a route taxi for JA$200.
LOL!! I used to bring about 15 pairs of shoes for 10 days. Over the years I've got that number down to 4 pairs. Yay me! ;) *and yay for the husband*
Kathy's right on the distance from Hedo. You'll be fine as long as you cross the street to make sure to walk against the traffic...remember they drive on the left. There's always taxis waiting at the Areodrome so if you decide to to that they're there. Wish I new theirs names cause they always reconize me when I land there so we catch up on the last year & have some laughs. They know I have a buddy picking me up so they don't offer. This years trip (1/28-3/6) has come & gone unfortunetly...but soon return 2014 for my 21st year. Have fun & be safe!!
Thanks rooster!
It's been a while since we have flown into Negril, but when we did....we ended up going out to the street and hailing a route taxi. The guys at the airport were wanting way too much for a short drive. So, we pulled our crap out to Norman Manley...much to the dislike of the drivers. Every likkle ting was irie!
I love to walk...so I really wouldn't mind that short of a walk..BUT, I would take a route taxi.....main reason, trying to cross Norman Manley with luggage! Enjoy your trip! :)
the Negril airport is directly across the street from the resort. IMHO, the resort will come and pick you up!!!! Otherwise, You could certainly walk across the street. Just sayin.......
Negrilgirl, yes, the resort would probably come and pick you up, but you might have to wait. And with "Jamaica Time" and all....well, you know, I'm always anxious to get to the resort.
I sent an email to the resort this morning as well to see if they would provide transportation. Something is telling me that they don't but it can't hurt to ask!
One time and ONLY ONE TIME, we arranged for a pick up with the resort (can't remember if it was Sandals or Couples, but was back in the 90's). We Waited and waited.... finally negotiated a deal with a taxi driver. This was before this board and didn't know about Red Plate Route taxis..... :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johio
It is right across the street from CN. Let the taxi driver know that you are aware of that and offer him $5. That's what it cost us a few years ago. If you are going to walk to the street to hail a taxi you may as well just cross the street and you're there. I would do the taxi.
Knowing Couples, they'll tell you, "No problem, mon." If they do, I'd have someone from the Couples Lounge at MBJ call them and verify it and ask that they be there waiting for you. I'd also keep all of my other options open and not be surprised if I had to hire a taxi at the aerodome. But that's part of the beuaty of a Jamaica trip...just go with the flow and see where it takes you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamerican1
Here is the response I got from Couples:
Hi Amy,
We offer complimentary transfers to and from the aerodrome in Negril on arrival and departure.
Regards,
Tadean A. Miller
Group Customer Relations Coordinator
Couples Resorts, Jamaica
(T) 1.954-665-2989
(T) 1.800.268.7537 ext. 1427
(F) 1.954.665.2983
Like Johio said we will tell them at MBJ to call for the transport. If we get there and no one is there, we'll either catch a cab or walk. No worries mon!
Couples will pick you up. It's literally across the street. Besides, you will end up walking over there from the resort most likely at some point during your stay as there is a small craft market next to the gas station. When we used to do couples all the time, I generally just grabbed whichever van was handy, and let them drive me over. $10 is not really a big deal for the convenience, and I was always happy to get into the resort, and look out over that great view from check in to the ocean.
:cool:
You mean this view?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hussyband
Attachment 24616Attachment 24617
This view isn't bad either.
Attachment 24618
YAY!!!!!!!! I can't wait!! We missed out on our yearly trip last year (bought a house instead) so we are super excited to get back to Jamaica after such a long break between trips!!
:D
@ johio --exactly. We are splitting our trip this year into two parts, and going back to couples for the first time in three years. We've been exclusively cliffs the last two trips, but this year, it's a week at tensing, then a week at couples... I miss the beach. The little almond tree towards the lower right of your last photo was where we spent many a day just watching the waves lap against the shore.
Hussyband, when will you be at Couples? We arrive on April 17th and are there through the 27th! We have Jamaica newbies joining us on the 20th - 27th!
Counting down the days!!
It is a while for us yet. We will be at tensing pen nov 11-18, staying in the red birch cottage, then we move to couples for the 18th-24th. Couples is a lot of fun... Have you been to their other locations? We have done sans souci (really liked it) and tower island (couples service, but not my place).
Hussyband, we have stayed at CN twice, CTI once and CSA once. We did the Trading Places day pass to CSS while we were at CTI. I agree with you about CTI. In my opinion, the food, drinks and service at all of the Couples resorts is comparable (and terrific). Each resort just has a little different vibe. Of the four, CSA is our favorite for it's access to Long Bay and the fitness facilities (for my wife to use...walking to the bar for a refill is my idea of exercise on vacation). It's vibe was more for us too. Active enough if you wanted to be involved but still able to find plenty of space for our own time together.
This will be our first time to Couples! :D
We are Sandals rejects.. :p 8 times to Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, and once to Sandals Montego Bay. With all of the service changes Sandals has made at our favorite resort (SGR), making all of the Manor side villas butler service we were completely turned off from returning. I'm sorry but with that many butler guests and now special butler restaurants (one of them being in the prime scenic spot of the resort out on the pier!!!) we really felt like it would take away from our enjoyment if we had to fight to get into restaurants and get chairs at the pool/beach, be second class guests, etc... No thanks! Plus, the price just keeps going up up up, and "regular" guests are not getting anything more then we ever did. I'm sure we'll return to SGR someday, we do love it there, but we are ready for a change!
I've wanted to go to Negril for years and this was a perfect opportunity to make the leap! I know the resort is not as blingy or fancy as Sandals, but we don't care about that stuff! Just point me in the direction of the pool bar and the beach and we are all good!
Jamerican1, looks like you already have the scoop on the Sandals v Couples scene. We used to do Sandals too, before we discovered Couples. We feel that with the inclusions at Couples, you get more bang for your buck. We weren't really impressed with the swimup pool bar at CSA, but we rarely, if ever get into a pool while in Jamaica. (Ok, my wife will use the lap pool, but we've covered that before...lol). They do have two beach bars along with flag service on the beach. If sand gravity is too great, just put your flag in the sand and a bartender will come to you. You guys are gonna have a blast!
Loving the drink/flag service on the beach! My husband has said with that service it's putting him out of a job, LOL! I also love that they have floaties that you can take into the ocean! I am a happy girl floating away with a cold red stripe in my hand!
We are really excited!!!
No need to bash Butch Stewart, but the John Issa got the ball rolling with the All Inclusive vacations in Jamaica starting in Negril in 1976 with what is now Hedonism II. I believe his father had one of the first resorts in Jamaica in Ocho Rios, which is now called Couples Ocho Rios. Originally it was called Tower Isle.
Butch has done a great job with the Sandals/ Beaches resorts. Actually had dinner with him once back in the 1990's (me, my ex and 100 other returning guests)!! LOL
Haven't been to either a Couples or Sandles since the early 2000's, but enjoyed both. My absolute favorite was Couples Swept Away before they super sized it...
You will have a wonderful time at Couples.
Remember to get off campus and go to a couple of Webcasts. I highly recommend the Canoe Bar on Thursday and Seastar on Saturday night.
Enjoy,
VVHT
Jamerican....I recognize you from the Couples message board....If you feel adventurous....it MAY be a 2 minute walk...basically across the street....might take as long to grab a cab than to walk it, and you can bet that Herbert will probably meet you for the bags before you are 1/2 way up the drive!
My favorite part of Couples, is the breakfast in bed service. Instead of a "do not disturb" sign on your door, you get a breakfast menu. Before bed, you fill out what you want, and what time you want it. Put it on your door before bed (whatever time that is), and it arrives in the morning. So if you just want to laze around and drink coffee and such, its perfect. Another great part is that Couples has chocolate. I find that there is very little chocolate in Negril. But Couples has chocolate desserts at most meals. Heaven.
Oh, Jody, you just brought back memories of the WARM banana bread at Couples Negril....YUMMMM! Wish I had some right now.
Awesome! Thanks! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by lisapat
I like this idea... I think I'm gonna get a flag for my living room and try this at home... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Johio
lol, Kathy. My wife and I tried it...didn't work. Maybe it's the language barrier. No one at home speaks Patois.