I really enjoyed using this forum for information before my trip and thought it would be nice to share a recent report from my February 19-26th 2016 trip. This was my 4th trip to Negril (2 solo and 2 with a friend/friends). Basically, my time in Negril consists of not having any plans, catching some live music, walking a lot (6-8 miles a day) and embracing and enjoying numerous joints and beers with the locals along the way.
Trip Report:
Friday:
Flight arrived around 3pm, customs was a breeze! Private taxi (Clive’s) transfer was waiting, cold red stripe and off to Negril. Made one stop for another beverage and bathroom break. Arrived at Judy House Cottages (3rd time staying there) in the West End, 10 minute walk up the street from Canoe Bar. Threw bags in room and grabbed a cold one and a joint for our walk to catch the sunset. The plan was to walk to Sir D’s Firewater Love Nest (one of my favorite places in Negril), didn’t have enough time (never occurred to me to grab a taxi, duh), ended up at a random place (forgot the name), gorgeous sunset, another puff and a cold drink. Started to walk back to the hostel, stopped at 3 Dives for an incredible lobster dinner along the way. Canoe Bar for another drink and then up the hill to wind down at the Hostel. Got to Hostel, ended up meeting some other travelers (from all over the world), stayed up for a few more, bed around 2am, what a long day (forgot to mention the vodka OJ and pot brownie at the Kansas City airport at 7:30am)…
Saturday:
The sounds of goats and roosters around 7am woke us up (love it and miss it!) A quick cold shower to get us moving, a red stripe/joint and we are off for our walk to the beach. A stop at the currency exchange and grocery store downtown for some water and bananas. Grabbed some fresh coconut water along the way, thru the market and to the beach! Stripped off clothes and took a nice dip before our journey down the beach. Our goal was to make it to Sun Beach for a day of laying out. Along the way, stopped at a few bars for a refresher and of course a smoke. Made it to Sun Beach! Purchased and ate some ganja cake, chilled for a bit and of course got the munchies…Throughout the day, we purchased (from the beach vendors) rum cake, Coco Bread, banana Bread, coconut pieces, fresh juice and rum raisin ice cream, damn! Time to start heading back to the West End…Passed Tony’s Hut and had to stop for a cold one, line too long for Nia’s patties. Next stop, The Boat Bar for some live music. But first, Yellow Bird for Dirty Bananas! Ended up getting a massage in the back of Boat Bar, the cake has fully hit me (head spinning), done with massage, out cold for 2 hours lying in the back of Boat Bar listening to live reggae next to the women’s bathroom, friend was thankfully patient. Made the walk back to Canoe Bar for an appetizer and drink, next stop, Sea Star for the drummers! Walked from Canoe to Sea Star with a few beverage stops along the way, made it to Sea Star for some food off the buffet line and of course a joint, drummers were incredible. Time to start the walk back to Hostel. Ended up getting some soup and Jerk Chicken before heading up the hill to Hostel. Got back, ended up hanging out with some other guests, long day, bed by 1am.
Sunday:
Up around 8am, same morning routine, cold shower, red stripe/joint, view of ocean, and some reggae on the Bose Mini to get us going. Plan for the day, walk to Hedonism and buy a day guest pass by 10:30am. Started our journey, stop at grocery store downtown for water and a cold beer for the walk and to the beach/Hedo. Along the way, made a few stops for drinks and puffs. Got to the Boardwalk around 10:30, one more beer and then Hedo. Arrived at Hedo around 11am, ate breakfast there and then to the pool for naked sunbathing and of course the pool party (also took out the Hobie Cat for some stoned sailing (only hit one anchored boat)). Plan was to leave at 6:30pm (when the day pass expired), met a nice couple from Jersey, ended up buying a night pass and stayed til 2am hanging out in the hot tub…Taxi back to hostel, bed at 3am.
Monday:
Morning routine. Patty guy came by hostel on bike, quick bite of coco bread and juice. Decided to stay on the cliffs for the day. Plan was to meet some other Hostel travelers at Rick’s Café around 1pm. First stop, walked to Pee Wee’s for a beer/joint and swim. After a few drags, climbed down steps to take a dip, saw a whale/shark swimming not far from shore. Decided to get a better look, climbed the stairs and asked one of the locals what type of mammal, turned out to be a man snorkeling, gonna be a long day! Along our walk, stopped off at several places to chat with the locals and have a beer/joint. Ended up having lunch at The Rock House (Ackee dip with fresh plantain chips, a split smoked marlin club sandwich and 2 foofoo drinks), checkmate! Saw the caves, did some roadside shopping, feeling good! Made it to Rick’s around 3pm, too much traffic to jump. Convinced the gang that we should head to Sid’s Love Nest for sunset (10min. walk up the street), we did. Bartender rolls the nicest and best joints in Negril for $5 US. Also, try his homemade weed rum, oh yes! Hung there til about 7ish and then started the walk back down the hill. Stopped into Push Cart for one, too pricey. Headed to Sips and Bites (it’s BYOB!) for an amazing meal, had the pineapple chicken, miss it. Stopped into a pool hall for a couple of games. A couple more bars along the way, back to Hostel around midnight.
Tuesday:
Up around 7:30am, the beach was today’s plan and checking out Cosmo’s for lunch. Beer/joint and off for the day. Got some Appleton silver to mix with the fresh juice we were planning on buying on the beach. First stop, Yellow Bird for Dirty Banana’s and then Tony’s Hut for a couple. Continue the walk north on the beach. Decided to bypass security and bum a lunch and a few drinks at Couples and Sandals Resort. The end destination was Cosmo’s, but we walked by and decided to hit up Hedo once again for the afternoon. Had our fill of drinks and food at Hedo for a few hours, started to walk back south on beach, it was getting dark. Made it to Long Bay (I believe) and the security guy told us it wasn’t a good idea to walk that stretch at night, got a taxi to downtown and walked to the Canoe bar for a couple. Walk up the hill with 2 more neighborhood bar stops. Back to hostel to hang and smoke with the gang before bed around midnight.
Wednesday:
Woke up to goats and roosters sounds in the neighbor’s backyard, todays plan was beach and a stop at Colette’s Bar. We agreed to spend the afternoon at Sun Beach once again. Made our daily walking journey to the beach. First stop, Tony’s Hut and a patty from Nia’s. Had the Veggie and Italian this time around, we wanted the Lobster patty, but it has to be specially ordered, next time. It was hard to leave Tony’s Hut, but we wanted some sun. We laid out for a few hours and then made the trek south on the beach, past the roundabout and up the hill to Colette’s Bar for some drinks (such a sweet lady). Along the way, we stopped at the bakery just east of the roundabout for some patties. A few drinks in and some nice reggae tunes, we decided to start walking to the West End before it got too dark. We started walking toward the hostel and made several more bar stops along the way. Back again to hang with others at hostel, bed around 1am
Thursday:
Up early again, our last full day and the One Love Pub Crawl was on the agenda! Pick up at 2:30pm at Firefly. We made the walk from hostel down to beach, this time we did a little shopping in the craft market looking for some souvenirs to take home. Stopped by the Beach Bar for some cheap red stripes, Yellow Bird was calling next, dirty bananas were in order. Tony’s Hut after for a smoke and more drinks (to top it off, a family of four show up to give a private concert, heaven!) and of course one last patty from Nia’s, this time the boss man insisted I help! Headed to Firefly and waited for the bus. Bus was packed! Not sure how we fit everyone on, but Lenbert pulled it off. Made around 6 stops before we decided to part ways, got off and decided to head to The Love Nest for the sunset. Purchased and ate a pot brownie. Left after the sunset feeling good and started our adventure down the hill. The plan was to head to Ahhbee’s for live music and burgers. We split the red snapper burger, lit up a joint and had some rum and cokes, so good! The band playing in back was entertaining. We left and stopped into the Hungry Lion, awesome place to be when high! Sat on the couch and ordered some drinks and pumpkin soup, delicious! Had a hard time getting off the couch, stayed put ‘til they closed, then laid outside on the step to try and get motivated for the rest of the walk back to the hostel. Managed to get up and start walking, a few more stops on the way back, tired. Bed around 1am.
Friday:
Flying home. Taxi pick up at Canoe at 11am. Check out of hostel at 8:30am and off to Canoe Bar to finish any leftover joints/brownies. Several drinks later and a lobster omelet for breakfast, we say goodbye and off to the airport. Had driver make one last stop for a smoke and beer. Arrive at airport and find the bar, oh boy, my body needs a rest/detox. What another amazing time in Negril!
Originally Posted by smith744
