Help me convince my dad I am fine to travel alone

My dad has been to Negril 27 times, since he was in his twenties in the seventies. He knows Negril is a safe part of Jamaica, he knows the locals are the most amazing and kind hearted people, he knows I have the street smarts to not get my self into any unsafe situation. Yet he is very uncomfortable with the idea of me going alone. I am a woman and will be 24 in September, and want to stay at Judy House Hostel in Negril. My dad took me to Negril last September, so I know the city and the outskirts well - we rented a motorcycle so he showed me around, and we went out into the country. I felt 100% safe the whole time I was there. We got lost out in the country several times, and could have potentially been in risky situations, but everyone was so warm and kind- wanted to show us around their little village, share stories and help us in any way they could. Although my dad cannot tell me not go - I am a woman and make my own decisions, I want him to feel okay with it and not worry too much. And not upset him or "go against him".

I have done a lot of research and read plenty of stories of women traveling in Jamaica alone- backpacking and staying in hostels, or in hotels. I was thinking of having him read some of these, possibly having him speak with the owner of the hostel and explain that the place is safe (still have not spoken with her/made reservations though), having him read reviews of the hostel on Trip Advisor (everyone has such amazing experiences there). I have also found out that only one woman has gone missing/been killed while on vacation in Jamaica since 2000! That surprised him, and I think warmed him to the idea SLIGHTLY lol.

I would really appreciate any advice I could use to help me convince my dad I will be okay!! I am desperate to go alone and have an adventure all my own :)

Thanks in advance!

I remember when that girl went missing in Negril and was never found. Same thing with Natalie Holloway in Aruba. I have daughters your age. My youngest will be 22 in September. They have been going to Negril with me since they were babies. Of course, now they go to Negril without me, which I think is great, but they always go with a friend(s). You probably wouldn't have any issues, but no doubt your dad would feel more comfortable if you had someone go with you. If that isn't a possibility, then you'll have to decide if you're willing to go against your dad's wishes. You will have to find a safe place to stay and a safe driver, don't walk alone after dark, don't get enebriated and be very aware of your surroundings. Totally 100% understand where your dad is coming from, but you're an adult, and ultimately it's your decision to make.

p.s. I go on solo trips to Negril all the time. Just be safe!

there's probably no logical reasoning that is going to allay your father's fears. that's what parents do, no matter what experiences he himself has have had, he's going to worry about you, even when you're 50! you have no choice but to live your life, just make wise choices and do him proud.
and have fun, i love traveling by myself.

I go to Negril solo. To help my family, I print copies of my itinerary and be sure to check in by text or call once a day. If you have friends who can come, maybe you should bring them along. Good luck!

go with a girlfriend. he will feel better about it.

all the women murdered over the years, chopped up put in the caves or left in the bushes and ditches ect ect but didnt think we could talk about such on here, My opinion just bring Dad along on the trip, he could be somewhere close enough he could respond if needed, or ask him to hook you up with someone he trusts while you are there. make sure you have a good battery in your cell with tons of mins.bless.

i have traveled solo to Negril, Kingston, Blue Mountains, etc for 20+ years.. i wouldn't travel any other way.

I have been traveling to Negril for 30 years as Tattoo said in that time there has been a lot of Bad events that I do not feel should be told here. I totally understand were your Dad is coming from. Your experiences with getting lost with your father are good ones,but your father is a man and has been there many times. All jamaicans are not nice. especially out in the country and up in the bush. Bad things do happen. i am not saying that will happen to you but think about what your father is thinking. I am no way saying Negril is a unsafe place but as the saying goes "sh--t happens". Ever think about this? take your dad with you and have "alone time". Enjoy the good times with your DAD.

Being a parent myself, I overstand your father's concern. Worrying seems to be a parent's job. With that said, you are now an adult. You have been there before and your Dad has shown you around. If you are comfortable with going and use good judgement, I have no doubt you will be fine. I would give him your itinerary and keep in touch with him. I would also have a reputable driver that can transfer you from here to there with no worries. There are many on the board. Right off the top of my head, Kingsley comes to mind. I have known him for years and can attest to his honesty and reliability. Captain D's son Lynston is also a great guy. I'm sure you can send Captain a message and get all set up before you arrive.

Things can happen in small cites, big cities, the US and all other countries. Just remember to keep your mind clear and use good judgement.....always! Hope you guys work it out. Enjoy Negril!

Maybe dad thinks you will do some of the wild things he did during his 27 visits ☺

IMO Judy House and Sue are a great home base. Four years ago when I went for my first long visit (3 months) I was a bit nervous, so I chose her place and it was a good choice for me.
Now that she also provides hostel rooms, there are lots of younger travelers like yourself coming through to stay there. You could ask her if she has bookings yet for that time of year or what she thinks it will be like then, to give you an idea if it will be lonely or people to hang out with. I'm sure she will answer any questions you have.
The suggestion to bring a friend is a good one, although part of me thinks nah, that's just more work and what if she turns out to be a wild one that you have to look out for and worry about?
September is the slowest time of year for tourism, and a financially pressured time for residents with children going back to school. As a solo traveler your vacation might be more fun and relaxing if you go in August or November.
Plan to be back at your home base by dark unless you are at an actual venue (restaurant, bar or concert) and taking a taxi back to Sue's. Dark comes early in the evening. There is plenty going on up at Sue's to keep you entertained at night if you don't have somewhere else to go.

Ask your father what specific concerns he has about you going alone. Then discuss how you might handle those issues for a positive outcome. He probably has some valid things that you should listen to, and you can use his recommendations to plan a good trip for yourself.

PS There is a nice little beach for snorkeling and swimming by Canoe Bar & Grill, at the bottom of lane from Judy House.

my biggest regret is the more then a decade of travel i missed because i was afraid to travel alone. i think 'Lola' has a lot of sound advice. for first solo trip play it safe.
watch your alcohol consumption too, many of us can make bad decisions while under the influence.

I just keep thinking you could go again with Dad and he could pay! :) In all seriousness, I understand his fears and the best thing you can do is talk it through. Good luck!

I have traveled solo since I was in my teens and early 20s with my first travels being a 3 month camping trip down the coast of Mexico. In my twenties I also traveled to India and many European countries. I didn't get to Jamaica until later in life, but always went solo and loved it. Be sure to stay somewhere secure, always use red plate cabs and the advice that has been given here about having a designated driver for when you want to go out to shows, etc is a good one. I have heard good things about Judy house--and I think you might meet fellow travelers there to hang out with. I have met so many wonderful locals and also a handful of shysters. Use your street smarts and don't let anyone hustle you. Carry a cell phone and have a contact number for someone at Judy House and your driver in case you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. GO! You will love your adventure. I am so thankful that I traveled as much as I did on my youth--those experiences are with me forever and I treasure the memories! You are full grown--enjoy, explore and learn. And do whatever you need to to make your dad feel more comfortable about it.

Clarification. I did not intend to say or imply that the women over the yrs that have been murdered were vacationers or foriegners to the island, I just remembered that it happened to people is all, please my apoligies if i have offended anyone.

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Originally Posted by Tattoo

Clarification. I did not intend to say or imply that the women over the yrs that have been murdered were vacationers or foriegners to the island, I just remembered that it happened to people is all, please my apoligies if i have offended anyone.

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I'm a woman and just got back from my first solo trip in April. Have to say, I was a little alarmed when reading your comments. Ended up googling late last night (never thought about it before going). Didn't find anything too alarming, but a few interesting surprises.

You've received some great advice....and honestly I can see both sides.

I've made two "solo" trips but I wasnt solo for long either time, and i knew that going in. Truthfully, I dont think it would be super smart for me to travel to Negril completely on my own. I know myself, and I know what happens when i go to Negril. LOL With that said, you are not me, and you may be perfectly fine traveling solo.

I will say this much: If you tend to party and drink please make sure you know your limits and can keep your wits about you before making a trip to Negril by yourself. I have never felt unsafe there, but that might have been different if I didnt have friends to party with who I trust. I can see how it would be real easy to have too much to drink and in a split second make a lousy choice that could end up bein trouble. I dont say that to be a downer, just totally get where your pops is coming from. After 30+ years, he knows whats up. lol

Negril is SO beautiful and SO much fun. Be safe, be smart, and have a GREAT time whether you go alone, or with dear 'ol dad ;)

I'm reading your post Tizzy and then I telaport back to Checkin day at Catcha. I Tizzy passed out on the Daybed outside of Booger's room. lol.

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Originally Posted by Flipadelphia26

I'm reading your post Tizzy and then I telaport back to Checkin day at Catcha. I Tizzy passed out on the Daybed outside of Booger's room. lol.

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That was her bed for the week....... That girl knows how to do it....

Tiz, you are welcome on my porch ANYTIME......

Ok let your daughter go have a good time if she screws up it is something she has to deal with. I suspect she will go anyway.

Negril is unique in many ways but the same as anywhere when it comes to danger. Traveling alone to NYC or LA or Paris for a female poses the same potential dangers as Negril does. I am surprised that your father, who himself has traveled to Negril doesn't have friends / contacts that he can put you in touch with to put himself at ease. It comes down in many ways to your ability to navigate the potholes in the road be it anywhere you might be, if your Dad doesn't have that confidence in you then you will have a tough time convincing him otherwise. I have two sons 23 and 20 and I doubt they would want to go on vacation with me simply because I've given them enough of my opinion over the years and they certainly wouldn't want to play by my rules in Negril. I think that only you can convince your dad that you are fine to travel alone. Good luck and hope you make the trip.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I originally wanted to go with a friend, but there's always a money/time issue, and I really want to be there for my birthday which is sept 29. I could wait until December- a friend of mine is going, and my dad is also going in March and is trying to get me to wait until then, but I don't want to wait for anyone!! I want to go, so I'm going to go. I think I need to go alone to really escape and get in touch with myself... "find" myself, as corny/cliche as it sounds..

I am very responsible when it comes to drinking- even at home, I never go over my limit. My friends are constantly going out and getting trashed to the point that they don't know what they're doing/ passout.. I am usually the "mother" of the group that everyone trusts with their phones/ids/money, and ends up taking care of my drunk friends. My dad knows this, and knows I wouldn't go overboard to where I would make a poor decision, or let my guard down.

My dad's concerns are that I will get killed/raped. He knows I can handle myself, and that the majority of the locals would never harm a tourist, I guess he's worried that one of the people I come in contact with- whether it be on the beach or while walking through town, etc, will pull me into a car/van or something like that. Which is actually more likely to happen in my current city. But to him I will look like a target out there (white, blonde and alone).

I have done many google searches, and have only found one incident where a woman on vacation was killed (in 2000) and a few hotel reviews where woman have said they had been attempted to be raped by an employee at a big resort. I am going to accumulate all that info, reviews of the hostel I want to stay at, blogs of single females who have traveled to Ja, and a list of "safety rules" I will go by. Hopefully that will be enough to convince him. In the end it is my decision of course, but I want him to feel comfortable.


I am also hoping to meet other solo travellers so I won't be alone all the time. And I

Never let your guard down for a second.... Have eyes in the back of your head..... Never go anywhere alone after dark where someone doesn't know where you will be when u expect to return.... Negril can be a very dangerous place after dark, alone and during slow seasons..... U will be a target..... I've taken my kids, I've probably had 30 visits in 30 years..... I've had things happen to grown men who are physically in shape, after dark...... Along the road, late at night when things are quiet.... I'm not saying you can't do it, but never let your guard down...

Be safe and have fun!

I remember couple years ago i was kinda in the same boat.I was about 22/23 and parents didnt like the idea of me being in negril myself even though i still was an adult and it would be my first time.I had to prove to them that everything was cool and gonna be alright.Soo we got invited by a family friend to come to ochi for a wedding.I already had negril on my mind so no matter what i was gonna get there plus my friend from philly (jahfreedom)already was living there .My parents were living in florida and im in new york so we came on two different flights to the island.My flight came first and my ride to negril was waiting there for me (big up Ras Noble).As soon as i bought a digicel chip i gave them my jamaican number and told them im in negril and okay wasnt nothing they can really do at that point.I still made it to ochi for the wedding which was the following weekend.From that point on been going to ja by myself. I'm not saying to go against your dad wishes or anything.If you do go be safe and have fun

1 more thing if it doesnt have a redplate don't go in it :)

Jamaicalove,

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and hats off to your Dad for raising you well and caring about you so much. He must understand that in today's world rape and murder happen everyday in everyplace one needs not to travel to Negril. None of my business about your lifestyle but surely you will meet other like minded travelers as yourself to hang out with for strength in numbers. As everybody has advised Negril like anywhere else can turn from paradise to hell if one loses their common sense and does something really dumb but most everyone has had positive experiences there and you should not (or your father) dwell on possible negativity or project bad things to happen. Trust your fellow man / woman and have a great trip!!