Why Negril? And first impressions.

[BreanaAshlee]

Has anyone ever been in March? Are there a lot of college kids? I always went to Panama City Beach when I was in college, and it is overrun with college students during the month of March. Just can't picture Negril that way.

i've gone a couple times in march, there are not very many college students around at all.

[Lola]

oncedeported, I cried reading yours

[rickme]

I wasn't really hooked on my first visit.

My first trip to Negril was in 2003. My sister had decided to have a small destination wedding at an AI in Negril- and I told her I wanted to stay someplace modest or even camp while I was there. She was aghast at the thought- having been convinced by travel agents that Negril was only safe if you stay on the grounds of an AI and that that I would be hacked to death in my sleep by drug crazed thieves if I did. So I gave in and went to her travel agent who booked me in an AI.

Getting off the plane and walking across the runway at Sangster, I was struck by the wave of heat and how sun bleached the local terrain was and the sweet smell of flowers (and yes jet fuel) and the sound of the trio playing "Come back to Jamaica". I knew that I would like this place.

On the bus the driver warned us Americans that they drive on the opposite side of the road as he pulled into what I thought would be a head-on collision, and I struck up a conversation with a couple who were travel agents and were comped at the same resort (I guess it was a marketing tool to promote the place) They were nice and when we got to the AI it was a confusing process -the guy at the front desk was overwhelmed by the rush of new arrivals. They were savvy enough to request rum punches while we waited- the first of dozens consumed on the trip. When I checked in the couple looked at me and said "ooh you got a suite" I hadn't paid for one and wasn't sure what they meant. But sure enough I was escorted to a 2 room suite overlooking the ocean. I ran into that couple, who had a small room right next to me, several times. And every time I saw them they were complaining about something in their room - the ac not working or the bed being lumpy or something. I'm sure that they didn't recommend this place to too many of their clients. I on the other hand was happy staying in the nicest room I had ever paid for myself. It wasn't until much later after the Negril-induced fog lifted from my mind that I realized, in the confusion at check in, there must have been a mix up in the rooms- I got theirs and they got mine.

Anyway the wedding was great and I had a great time doing the AI things- eating buffet food, drinking in the tiki bar, hot tubbing, swim up bar etc... But something was missing- that real Jamaican experience. When I tried to walk off the property, I was met with subtle discouragement from the security guard who asked me to sign out, when I asked where to go off premises I was steered to Ricks etc....

All in all nice place but definitely not a habit forming experience. I sensed that something was missing. So 18 months later, I took a leave from work after being burnt out from a stressful job and I thought about going back. I found the Negril Yoga centre in Froemmers and it seemed perfect for me. I found the vibe that so many on this site have experienced from the minute Joseph the driver picked me up and brought me to to the beautiful garden spot. I wandered across the street to the (then) Coral Seas (then it became sunset on the beach and I think it may recently have changed names again) and to a little shack next door run by Robbie (since closed) where I could watch the world go by while listening to an endless loop of "Waiting in Vain" with a cold Red Stripe and chat with the locals.

I knew it was what I was looking for. My ideal vacation is one where you get up and do as little as possible, and yet still manage to meet wonderful people and have memorable moments which sometimes morph into stupid (and funny) antics and escapades. I've gone back every year since, sometimes alone and sometimes with my sons and/or friends and am looking forward to being on that same stretch of sand 6 month from today for a week long solo trip.

PS I'm not dissing AI's - everyone has different taste. But I would urge folks staying at a big resort to explore beyond the property to get a better sense of the island. As for safety I always tell people that they can get in trouble looking for coke and hookers at 2 a.m. in their home town just as easily as in Negril- being smart and safe reduces ( but doesn't completely eliminate) risk at home or on vacation...

[allibaba]

These stories are giving me goosebumps. Leaving Friday evening for our second trip to Negril, really beyond excited to go back.

We decided to take a holiday together late last summer. My boyfriend John had been working really hard all summer and I had also had a tough year at work so he said he was going to treat me to a getaway. We were looking at Mexico as it is more cost effective at times, but that is really not our style. We are vegetarians who don't drink all that much (but still have a few) so an AI didn't seem to be the best value for us. We looked at a few different places, initially thinking we couldn't afford Jamaica. John had always wanted to go to Jamaica and eventually we came to the conclusion that we couldn't afford not to go.

We ended up choosing Negril, John did a ton of research and said this was the place to go in Jamaica. We chose to spend part of our time at the cliffs then the rest at the beach. We arrived in October 2013 late in the evening. I remember as many do, the heat, the smells and the instant atmosphere that you sense when you arrive. I was a bit nervous as I had read about the possible thefts and other risks that can be had in Jamaica. Overall we didn't have any negative experiences with hussle or anything like that, although we did get "taken" by a couple of people it is to be expected to a certain extent and you live and you learn, always ask the price first and be prepared to be firm with a no or a bargaining as they are counting on you to just cave in and let them have their way.

We stayed at Xtabi and Firefly, and did a day trip to Appletons and YS. It was an incredible trip, John probably spent 80% of his time in the ocean. I couldn't believe how gorgeous Negril is, must have taken 1000 pictures.

This time we decided to stay only on the cliffs and have chosen Xtabi again. Booked the pub crawl and a day at Zimbali. We are already planning our next trip and are planning to see more of the island next time.

[Gum]

My first visit to Negril was in 1983 when my now ex went on our honeymoon to Montego Bay. There was a tour going to Negril so we signed up. We arrived in the lobby of the hotel and the driver told us everyone had cancelled and the tour was off. I think he saw how bummed we were and said, I will take you, can I pick up my kids first. Of course we said. He drove to his house, picked up the kids and off we went. That was when they sold the "I survived the road to Negril" tee shirts. He dropped us off at the Treehouse were we drank and ate lobster sandwiches while listing to a band. I noticed a match box in the ash tray of our table, opened it and found a chunk of hash. The beach was very wooded back then and I just fell in love with Negril. Went back in 1985 and went an average of 3 times every two years up until 2009 when life got in the way. Going back this month and can't wait. I still have a friendship that I made back in 1985 and we joke that we are Brothers, just from different mothers. Awesome place that Negril.

This post got me thinking about that first trip, back then you exited and boarded the plane from the Tarmac (always pouring rain when you left), but they had the woman as you came in singing "Come back to Jamaica". I always got chills from that. The smell when you left the terminal is amazing, have never experienced anywhere by Jamaica. Of course the tree frogs chirping is amazing. I took my mother to Jamaica in 2009 and she was actually unnerved by how loud they were. God I can't wait to get back, getting home sick from all the memories.

[bjritz]

First of all big ups to Mandy for this thread idea, it's a good one and I'm enjoying the ride!

My path to Negril was generated by just really needing a vacation. I'd sent my wife to Europe a couple of times as well as to Disney World all on her own, so it was my turn. I wanted warm and Caribbean. I thought about going to the Florida Keys. Never had been and thought it would be fun. After figuring out how much a trip including a car rental would cost, several hotels, etc. I thought I'd check out what a trip to Jamaica would cost.
The travel channel had a piece on Rick's and Negril. I knew that was my kind of place. I've been a lifelong cliff jumper. Once I started adding up the flight and hotel rates I found it to be much less expensive to go to Negril. So, I booked a trip (my one and only so far).
Loved it so much it's hard to describe. I stayed at Xtabi and just fell in love with the place and Negril.
For my details check out my trip report, for those who've not read it yet:
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ghlight=bjritz

[negrilbound]

Once you go,,,,,you know !!!!!!!!!!
been hitting the rock since "97 "

[Saaandycheeks]

I love this thread! I just joined, because I just booked my second trip! First time I went was with my boyfriend a couple years ago. I've always wanted to go to the Caribbean and Jamaica seemed the quintessential Caribbean island to me, although my bf had his own reasons for wanting Jamaica ;-). We researched and decided we wanted Negril for the beach! We stayed at grand lido(then breezes) Like others said, once you landed, you knew you were somewhere exotic! The feel, smell, vibe! It was amazing from the get go! And the best times we had off the resort! From pelican bar to long bay to Ted's :-) to the pub crawl, I knew we'd be back! I'd been thinking about it since! Now we are going to country country and blue cave castle in August! Words can't even do Negril justice!!

[gregandkelly63]

My wife and I were just 19 years old when we married in 1983. Needless to say we didn't have much time for a honeymoon. So on our 10 year anniversary, we decided to leave the three kids with their grandmother and take a proper honeymoon. Our travel agent suggested Jamaica Jamaica All Inclusive resort in Runaway Bay. We instantly fell in love with Jamaica! We had such a great week that we promised ourselves that we would be back for our 20th anniversary (if not before)!

Years passed and we were busy raising our family. We didn't make it back until our 20th anniversary, but we never forgot our promise about returning! This time the internet allowed us to do our own research and not rely on where travel agents recommended. We learned that Negril was where we wanted to be in Jamaica. So, in 2003 we returned to Jamaica. Negril was even better that Runaway bay! Today is our 31st anniversary and we have now been 12 times and the 13th trip is already paid for. We still go to All Inclusives, but we spend more and more time each trip off of the resort.

Last year for our 20th anniversary we brought our 3 kids (and their significant others) to Negril so they could see for themselves the places we have fallen in love with and have talked so much about over the years. We are also delighted that our dearest friends from high school will be making the trip to Negril with us next spring! Our 14th reach and their first! I love introducing newbies to Negril!

Respect!

[Mandy]

Thanks so much to everyone for posting your stories! I'm SO loving this thread!

Everyone I know in my "real life" is sick to death of hearing about Jamaica and Negril. So- it's sure nice to come read and hang out here!