First trip approaching fast...want to say Hi, and THANK U

Long time reader, first time poster! Hi my name is Courtney, I am a negril.com -aholic, albeit before today I was very much in the closet! Lol
First and foremost a huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful individuals who post on this site (and moderates of course). My Fiancé and I will be traveling to Negril on July 2nd for our 2week honeymoon. We stayed in mobay area last march, so this will be our first (hopefully of many) negril trips, but second jamaica trip. Although we are Booked at CSA for our 14 day vacation, I am hoping to explore what's "beyond the compound" and experience the Jamaica I read about here all the time!!!! Have booked with Lenbert on the One Love Bus Bar Crawl, and want to go for a nice supper on the cliffs (trying not to overplan so I was trying to avoid making a reservation, although admittedly this is a difficult task for me!)
I'm sorry I didn't post sooner and introduce myself, I really appreciate all the info thus far, and the necessary mental break this forum has given me while planning a crazy big wedding in the middle of nowhere!
Thanks again!

Welcome! 2 weeks at CSA and tips from the good people on this board...your sure to have a great trip!
CSA is the perfect location to have it all. Everything is right there for you for when sand gravity hits, and it is (imho) the best spot on the beach. Been there 9 times, also stayed at about a dozen other places on the beach and cliffs, and nothing compares to the total relaxation I experience there. LOVE IT! Having said that... getting off property and experiencing what else Negril has to offer adds to the experience. Would be more than happy to try to answer any questions you have, I"m going to be missing my usual December trip to Negril this year,(trying out the new Couples resort in Barbados) and Im already missing Negril.

Negril is completely different from MoBay. You're going to love it!

Welcome to Negril....beyond the closet

:)

Another one out of the closet :p
Welcome to the forum, congratus on your upcoming wedding and hope your honeymoon is everything you want!

Enjoy your trip, and be sure to come back to tell us all about it! And we love pics too.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I'm sure I'll have a few pictures of the two weeks to share, I've sure enjoyed all the adventure's you have shared in the TR's!!!

Looking for A few ideas...first of all a little info about my FI and myself. 29, & 28 respectively, active couple from Northern Alberta Canada, we have been together for just about 9yrs, and have a Great Dane named Winston. We have travelled to Cuba, Mexico, all over British Columbia/Alberta/Saskatchewan, Seattle, Vegas together, California, Maritimes and Toronto. We have been fortunate to have travelled this much, but felt we found home when we stepped out of the airport in Mobay last year, choosing Jamaica for our honeymoon was a no brainer! Don't get me wrong our resort was very nice, but I spent just as much time in the tiny craft market beside it bantering with the locals, being told about Negril, and visiting/sub-ing, as I did at the swim up bar! My better half although extremely adventurous, friendly and outgoing, although he is less observant and did get hustled last year in Ocho. Meh, we laughed about it, chalked it up to learning experience (or maybe dirty b's, subs, sun...lol). Myself, I work in agriculture, love to golf, swim, anything outside. I can be both very outgoing and very shy, but when I am people person, so if we meet, we may lose a day "catching up".
K now that we got that out of the way...lol! Questions...

shell..have fun in Barbados, let me know how it turns out!..what was your experience with CSA in terms of getting taxis, arranging offsite excursions, or dinners to the cliffs? I had a rather difficult time trying to dial out to a local Jamaican # last time. We are taking to provided shuttle to CSA. Does it suck? I've read mixed reviews, super expensive beer / food break? I was contemplating hiring a private driver from the "transportation" section, but still a cheap-o at heart...trying to let that go a title since it is our H-moon, and starting it off with a private car, vs a bus might be a nice option?. Could I pm you some other more resort specific q's?

Places for a romantic dinner(doesn't need to be fancy by any means), would like to book it /arrange while at CSA? Would it be easiest to just suck it up and go to a digicel or lime and get a phone for these purposes?

Negril Hills Golf Club. Caddy recommendations for young couple? Worth going a few times(3-5) in two week if green fees and transportation are included. We love golf, but realize its very very warm and humid as well.

Good bars with nice vibes close-Ish to CSA?

Lots of questions, oops!

Thanks in advance!

Maybe we'll meet a boardie on the One Love Bus Bar Crawl (Courtney and Lee, signed up for Sunday July 7th, and Wed. July 10!) or if I'm super lucky and see Gerryg123 zoom by on a scooter! Can hardly wait! Less than two weeks

My wife and I have been going to Negril for over 15 years. Mostly beach and found CSA about 5 reaches ago, next one booked for this October so you did well and I agree one of the best places on the beach. That said, there are many local places you should patronize. We love to walk the beach towards town from CSA and stop at a local watering hole, Alfred's being one of our favorites, but White Sands has been a good stopover as well. For a nice dinner on the cliffs we have been to Xtabi and Ivan's (love Ivan's) but have heard good things about Rockhouse too. Local calls from CSA are free and pretty reliable but getting a Digicel phone keeps you connected for not much while you're out. We got a driver the first time we landed on the rock and found him on our next reach, now he and his family are part of ours and I can give you is contact information if you want. He is licensed and insured and is a JUTA driver. Route taxis can be had fairly easily at CSA. If getting your own, you just need to make sure you are getting in a licensed taxi, red plate, and not just a private driver with no insurance. Gave up golfing for scuba diving so can't help you there. The fitness complex at CSA is awesome and the massages are great so you should check those out while there.

Definitely suggest a day trip or two while you are there. Dunn's River, Y's Falls, Mayfield Falls, Pelican Bar, Appleton Rum Estate, Black River. So many options and most of the fun is getting there and seeing Jamaica and its people. Patrick, our driver, has shown us so much of the real Jamaica over the years that we would not have seen and is part of why we keep coming back.

You will see the difference in Negril and Mo Bay but sounds like you have already caught the fever.

Enjoy.

2 weeks at CSA??? Lucky you... Our 2nd visit will be this coming December.

You're going to have a blast....make sure you spend an afternoon or two just walking down the beach and checking out some of the local establishments. We enjoy having a few at Tony's.

Also, spend an afternoon/evening on the cliffs, maybe a dinner at LTU or Ivans.

Try out http://facebook.com/Abeokutajamaica. Abeokuta is mystical and romantic and if you call prior you can order lunch and enjoy it by the natural mineral pool under the Mediatation Tree, surrounded by the most amazing views. This is a magical experience of feeling at peace for the day.
I hope you enjoy your trip.

I recently came out of the closet myself....my wife and I will be there at the same time! We are twice your age, but if they allow Senior Citizens, we may check out the Sunday One Love Bus ...Maybe they offer a Seniors discount (I'm extremely cheap) Negril Hills is neat, but pricey and I got a great idea for a Romantic Dinner, but I need to book it for Sat-6th before I recommend it...heeheehee

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cpuff863

Looking for A few ideas...first of all a little info about my FI and myself. 29, & 28 respectively, active couple from Northern Alberta Canada, we have been together for just about 9yrs, and have a Great Dane named Winston. We have travelled to Cuba, Mexico, all over British Columbia/Alberta/Saskatchewan, Seattle, Vegas together, California, Maritimes and Toronto. We have been fortunate to have travelled this much, but felt we found home when we stepped out of the airport in Mobay last year, choosing Jamaica for our honeymoon was a no brainer! Don't get me wrong our resort was very nice, but I spent just as much time in the tiny craft market beside it bantering with the locals, being told about Negril, and visiting/sub-ing, as I did at the swim up bar! My better half although extremely adventurous, friendly and outgoing, although he is less observant and did get hustled last year in Ocho. Meh, we laughed about it, chalked it up to learning experience (or maybe dirty b's, subs, sun...lol). Myself, I work in agriculture, love to golf, swim, anything outside. I can be both very outgoing and very shy, but when I am people person, so if we meet, we may lose a day "catching up".
K now that we got that out of the way...lol! Questions...

shell..have fun in Barbados, let me know how it turns out!..what was your experience with CSA in terms of getting taxis, arranging offsite excursions, or dinners to the cliffs? I had a rather difficult time trying to dial out to a local Jamaican # last time. We are taking to provided shuttle to CSA. Does it suck? I've read mixed reviews, super expensive beer / food break? I was contemplating hiring a private driver from the "transportation" section, but still a cheap-o at heart...trying to let that go a title since it is our H-moon, and starting it off with a private car, vs a bus might be a nice option?. Could I pm you some other more resort specific q's?

Places for a romantic dinner(doesn't need to be fancy by any means), would like to book it /arrange while at CSA? Would it be easiest to just suck it up and go to a digicel or lime and get a phone for these purposes?

Negril Hills Golf Club. Caddy recommendations for young couple? Worth going a few times(3-5) in two week if green fees and transportation are included. We love golf, but realize its very very warm and humid as well.

Good bars with nice vibes close-Ish to CSA?

Lots of questions, oops!

Thanks in advance!

Maybe we'll meet a boardie on the One Love Bus Bar Crawl (Courtney and Lee, signed up for Sunday July 7th, and Wed. July 10!) or if I'm super lucky and see Gerryg123 zoom by on a scooter! Can hardly wait! Less than two weeks

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Thanks Muck! Tony's check!! LTU/Ivan's, thanks.
annymc, I printed off the info to show my future hubby! seems like our kinda place. Thanks, seen some pictures from the Boardie Bash, beautiful.
MBJ...LOL. Hope u decide to also do the crawl!! I am super psyched, we are old souls who rarely let loose....so just in case...dont judge, HA! Let me know after u book?
! Figure if I can get my FI out and about, he'll be scoping out places for our "next" trip! Is it normal to be contemplating a trip back to a place I've never been? I am half crazy from wedding planning?
Thanks

Cpuff,

Greetings to Negril and Negril Message Board!

We hope to see you when you are here! You can find us at any of the webcasts on RealNegril.com and should you want to contact us for any reason you can call us at 423-5479 when in Negril!

Have a spectacular time! And yes, you and your FI are normal.... (grin)

Our favorite is Rockhouse Rest. and they offer (2) "Private" tables..........one is on the cliff next to the Rest. and the other is the "Hut" where massages are done(I think)..........They are pefect for special occaisions, call for details/pricing......We are booked!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cpuff863

Thanks Muck! Tony's check!! LTU/Ivan's, thanks.
annymc, I printed off the info to show my future hubby! seems like our kinda place. Thanks, seen some pictures from the Boardie Bash, beautiful.
MBJ...LOL. Hope u decide to also do the crawl!! I am super psyched, we are old souls who rarely let loose....so just in case...dont judge, HA! Let me know after u book?
! Figure if I can get my FI out and about, he'll be scoping out places for our "next" trip! Is it normal to be contemplating a trip back to a place I've never been? I am half crazy from wedding planning?
Thanks

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Cpuff~I"ll try to answer a couple of your quesitons..
You "shouldn't" have a problem calling out of your room. Having said that we have already had a "temperamental" phone while staying at CSA. We bought a digcel phone there in Negril on one of our first trips so usually use that for both local and international calls.
Getting transportation is not problem,you can use the route taxi system if you just want to go someplace along the beach road,go out in front of CSA( we usually walk a bit so we're not right in front of it) and point to the road.. wont be long before a taxi stops.. (just make sure it has a red plate and the route written on the side) Lots of info on here about route taxis but if you need info I"ll be glad to explain how they work. When we go to the cliffs we usually negotiate a rate with one of the route drivers to take us there. I"m sure the front desk or one of the guards outside of CSA would also arrange it for you. Not sure of price.Also, a number of the more popular places like Ivans will you up for free, you just pay for ride back.
The shuttle.. it wasn't until I went to answer you on this that I realized we never took the shuttle to CSA. We stay on the cliffs for a few days before going to CSA so always arranged our own transpiration. We have taken the Couples shuttle to their resorts in Ocho Rios and it was fine. Never had to wait long for it to leave the airport and one time stopped on the way and the other time went straight to the resort. Its up to you whether you want to spend a little extra $ to skip the shuttle. Pros and cons both way.. We've always used Clives Transportaion , you can also arrange excursions with him. I know they have a tour desk at CSA but I"ve never used it so can't help there.
Feel free to pm me... like I said.. I"m already missing CSA and Negril and I"m going to have to live vicariously through others until next year.
Have a great trip!

Cpuff,

Although this will be your honeymoon I see that you and your fiance are active Canadians (Alberta is one of the nicest places I have ever been) you might want to consider some bicycle trips around Negril and the surrounding areas. I have on several occasions taken my bike to Jamaica as checked luggage (packed in a cardboard box minus pedals and handlebar turned sideways) and literally bike the entire island. Understanding that you probably don't want to bring your bikes with you there must be several places to rent bikes in Negril. Perhaps your hotel offers them?? If you are in Negril for two weeks I would imagine that daily exercise outside a fitness studio is something to consider. You might want to check Google Earth and a Jamaica road map to see what short or long trips might be practical. There is some unbelievable scenery within 20 miles of Negril that would be a rather easy ride. Also any trips to the West End (Ricks, etc...) are a short ride without having to take taxi's all the time the only downside being after a few Red Stripes or Rum drinks the ride home might be less appealing. The other opportunity you might consider is renting a motorcycle?? Depending on your experience with such it would allow some awesome day trips to most anywhere you wanted to go. Most MC's in JA as I understand it are 500cc or less so if riding is your thing that might be an option too. Remember of course you are driving on the left side of the road, road conditions can often times be quite bad and car drivers in JA drive pretty fast, having said that I have biked around Jamaica twice without ever having the least problem of any sort and am here to tell about it. In any event best wishes to you and your guy and have a safe and enjoyable time in Negril. Cool Runnings, John

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