Money saving ideas - What are yours?

[Big_frank]

Don't be a liquor snob. Jamaican made Vodka is perfectly acceptable and way cheap. You're mixing it with something (I hope), and it tastes just fine. Grey Goose, and Smirnoff people, close your eyes and you won't know the difference.

However, there is no replacement for the unique taste of Appleton Special Rum.

Book a hotel with free breakfast (as mentioned) and free rides to the beach and back (Seastar Inn) which also has free fridge and free ice at the bar.

No hotplate, microwave or stove? A drip coffeemaker can be used to warm your patty or sandwich as long as it's in a water-tight zip lock bag. (at least take the chill off)

Seastar also has a clothesline (way out back), that you might be able to use a few feet of, after you scrub and rinse your shorts and t's in the tub. (Shhhhhh, it's a secret).

'Course it's hard to get into Seastar. They popular!

[halfwaytree]

1.

If you go in low season and just arrange your flight and maybe just one nights accommodation before hand. On your first morning in Negril, take a couple hours and visit some of the smaller hotels or B&Bs, (especially those across the street from the beach if you are looking for a great deal) and ask for their best "walk in rate". Sometimes you can haggle, especially if you visit three or four places and get some price comparisons. If you find a place you like but were quoted a better price somewhere else you can mention it and sometimes the person behind the counter will match or maybe lower their quoted rate just to get you to book in with them. Once you arrange your new digs, go have breakfast and then go back to the hotel you booked for your first night only and grab your bags, check out then hail a cab and move into your new room for the duration of your stay.

2.

If you are staying on the beach at a Non-AI sometimes a walk across the road for eats (places where many locals would stop) will see lower prices for food. It may not always be as fancy as a beachfront restaurant but if you get your food to go then just take it to the beach and eat it there.

[Shelly]

One thing that I always appreciate to bring is my small water boiler & tea bags, hot chocolates, also some small snacks for the late night hungers. I really like to have an amount if US $1 dollar bills for late night far out west end taxi rides. Some times those all you can eat brunches fill me up for the whole day. You gotta love the street food, sometimes when a hurricane is predicted I make sure to get food in advance. Another crazy thing I always find useful is to bring lots of small plastic left over garbage type of bags for daily use. When I lived in JA full time I didn't know how to cook but I did learn. The summer in Negril was really horrid and we would move to Irish Town outside of Kingston leaving Seascape behind. Always missing Miss Jenny who cared for us so very well. Of Miss Jenny's Cakes. A really hard worker and a great great tribute to the original "NAYGRIL" families.

[cinnni]

I bring my cheap lightweight toaster and a tiny little electric frying pan (holds just bigger then the size of bread. We boil water in there for our instant taters, and rice in addition to warming jerk chicken and making pancakes. Like mentioned utilize the happy hour specials for delicious drinks. We only eat one meal out per day. Buy water bottles and other drinks at the supermarket. Walk a lot. I bring my own clothesline I made by braiding rubberbands and hang things to dry on it.

[JitterBug]

a lot of great ideas shared . . .

[Packrat]

Excellent Post, although we are no longer forced to make some of the cost cutting decisions we made in our earlier years, here are some of the items we bring on EVERY trip we take. Some are for cost savings if needed, some for a comfort & convenience and some because they may be hard to find if needed.

Gatorade G2 Powder, just add a little to the water and stay hydrated or use to mix with your favorite adult beverage
Can or Bag of favorite nuts
Pkg of 8 snack crackers &/or box of Nature Valley bars
Couple of pre-packaged cereal bowls
Bug Spray
Sun Screen
Aleve or some kind of pain reliever
Claritin or decongestant - different pollen and blooms can play havoc on your sinuses and can ruin a day or 2
Liquid Band-Aid or super glue for cuts and scrapes which can get infected

These items will take up very little room in your luggage but can be invaluable and you can leave them behind for a local friend or hotel worker, they will be very pleased.

[IRIEchic]

Great ideas...I really like this one definitely will bring with me next reach!

Gatorade G2 Powder, just add a little to the water and stay hydrated or use to mix with your favorite adult beverage

I always purchase my alcohol at duty free for my room and it saves a ton...and I bring lots of snacks (cookies, candy chips etc.) candles/incents for the room/balcony ambiance

[davevols]

After we empty a few wata or Coke light bottles, we fill them 3/4 full of tap water and freeze in the little freezer compartment of the in room fridge. Take them to the beach for some ice cold water as they melt.

[Jamerican71]

After we empty a few wata or Coke light bottles, we fill them 3/4 full of tap water and freeze in the little freezer compartment of the in room fridge. Take them to the beach for some ice cold water as they melt.

We do the same thing but not to drink.....we peel the label and use the frozen water bottles to keep items cold in our cooler.

[Big_frank]

If you have a fridge with a little freezer, put a couple of inches of water in plastic beverage cups in the morning and freeze them. By evening; you'll be able to add your favourite liquor and mix and have built-in ice that will quickly float to the top and keep your drink icy cold. That way you won't have to keep running to the bar for more ice.