As the name says....1st timers coming in April

[NegriNoob]

Hello Everybody,

My wife and I are making our first trip to Jamaica, staying at the Negril Beach Club Condos in April (7th-14th). We have graduated over the years from the Cancun/Riviera Maya all-inclusive thing and have done quite a bit of travelling. We've seen Spain, Portugal, Germany, China and more. Our last "beach vacation" was two years ago in Eleuthera, which was beautiful, but definitely the furthest thing from an all inclusive you could find! Almost "roughing-it". We've also done a villa rental and jeep for a week on St. John, USVI, which I highly recommend.

We wanted something new and chose Negril after lurking on Tripadvisor and here. We needed a place that had great beaches and was walkable for most things, but not too "touristy". We like to get out and be with the locals and eat and drink as the locals do. Negril sounded like that kind of place. We have booked our room, have airfare and are just counting down the days.

We very rarely go to the same place twice (although the tug of STJ is strong...), so I'd like to know from all of you repeat Negril lovers - if you had only 7 days, one time - what is your "must"? Eat, drink, bar, restaurant, beach, day trip etc.

I'll promise a full trip report in return for your comments!

[Vince]

Well..... let's start off by saying welcome to the Negriloholics! And "Once ya go then ya know" In 7 days you can cover a lot of ground and beach. Now our questions. Have you lined out transportation? A MUST is web cast with Rob and Lisa. I'm a person that dosent like the "touristy" places as well!!! I would suggest Mayfield Falls. Ask away! We are here for ya!

[NegriNoob]

I have one suggestion for round trip from Montego Bay - for around "$120" (would be cheaper if I enlisted the drivers services when needed for the week) I was also told that Jean at NBCC can arrange this transportation, but have yet to get a cost.

I'm really looking to just chill on this vacation. We'll do some exploring for sure - that's why we got a room with a kitchen and didn't go the AI route! Our last two trips were a 5 day motorcycle trip in Arizona and southern Cali that covered almost 2000mi, and a 9 day trip to Spain and Portugal that had me begging for new feet! Now - it's beach time!

What is this "Web Cast" you speak of??

[Vince]

Rob, who operate this web site Negril.com has web cast on Sunday Café Goa on Sunday from 11am-1pm. Tuesday at 3 Dives from 5pm-7pm and Thursday at Canoe from 5pm-7pm. It's a great way to meet fellow boardies and have a grand of a time with Rob and Lisa. Also you can have your friends back home tune in and see you live in Jamaica during the webcast

[VVHT]

Webcast and chat:

www.realnegril.com

First trip to Negril was in 1992. Had been to about a dozen countries and islands before Jamaica. Since 1992, have been to at least two dozen more countries, but have returned to Negril, Jamaica over two dozen times!

Why do I keep going back??? As Vince says, "Once you go, you know"!

Enjoy,

VVHT

[NegriNoob]

Very cool! I'll check it out!

[CosmicMoose]

Ok I'll throw in my two cents.... Whoever you use, get a driver or company with Red Plates (approved and licensed for use as a taxi). Rob couldn't stress this enough.

I enjoyed Mayfield Falls, a friend that went to Mayfield with me, and later went to Dunn's river and YS Falls said he liked YS best. It is a bit farther, but you can tie it in with a trip to Appleton Estates.

Lots of great places around for food, some of my favorites:
Breakfast: PeeWee's and Canoe, peewee's being cheaper and Canoe having a nice spot on the deck right at the water's edge. Good food at both.
Lunch: Keney's Chinese food had a great lunch. Ahhbee's burgers deep West End.
Dinner: Quality's Sea Breeze (see separate thread for 20% off), Chicken Lavish (delicious tender chicken), also Canoe good lobster dinner there. Pizza at Italian Café. Pushcart had a great Nyammings platter with curried chicken, bushman stew, curried goat and oxtail if you'd like to sample some local dishes. I liked the jerk chicken at 3 dives, but got a sparse amount of chicken on my plate. Maybe just a bad cut, I'd def go back there another time though.

~Moose

[Vince]

Live Negril.com LIVE webcast is on now www.realnegril.com

[BaileysMom]

We were in Negril for our first trip to Jamaica last month. There were a ton of highlights during our week in Negril, but off the top of my head, let's see... things I'm glad we did and things I'd definitely do again in a heartbeat if given the chance (and I think we will have that chance come October, when we're headed back for our 2nd trip- we love it that much!) Find a place to hear some live reggae music. We lucked out and had dinner at 3 Dives one night when a band was playing, went to AhhBee's one night to hear their live reggae band, plus special appearance by some African Drummers and a blues singer from Chicago. Another night we went to Canoe for dinner and listened to a really great mento band- The Overtakers. Visit some of the little bars along the cliffs- one with a most amazing view is Sir D's. Try the patties at Out of Town Pastry, far end of the cliffs. Check out the caves at Xtabi- pretty cool! Looking for a delicious dinner with an amazing view? Ivan's at Catcha Falling Star, on the cliffs- just before Rick's Cafe. Walk the length of 7 mile beach- or most of it, anyway... checking out all the bars, vendors, etc... If you happen to get up to Montego Bay area, the Croydon Plantation tour is worth the trip for the view alone... gives you a completely different view of Jamaica in the hills.

[Vince]

I have a feeling someone negrilnoobie will be extending there trip. like maybe missing there flight and "have to stay 3 more days" LOL