Negril in July during Dream Weekend

[johng]

Is Dream Weekend a big Festival that draws visitors and Jamaicans alike somewhat like Reggae Sunsplash from the past?? I remember hearing something about it being sponsored by Red Stripe or Appleton, it that correct?? Negril must be packed during that week, sort of like Woodstock was. A total invasion of a small town. Must be fun for some, not so fun for those tourists that don't know about its happening while they are visiting. Must be crazy!!!

[*vi*]

ATI or Dream Weekend is a party event spanning 5-7 days. This year it’s five days of day & night parties sponsored by Appleton and held at various locations. Some with live performers and others are DJ spinning music. Yes, Negril becomes packed not only as a result of dream weekend attendees but many Jamaicans living abroad return home for Independence and Emancipation celebrations which follow. They usually stay 2+ weeks scattered throughout the island so Negril is less congested at the conclusion of dream weekend.

As I mentioned, you don’t really notice the additional people until late afternoon/early evening. Unless there’s a daytime party event (usually held outside the Negril tourist hub) most stay in until it’s time to go. You definitely see life at night!!! Masses of people and bumper to bumper traffic, yes, but not out of control. I’ve been three times and the only unpleasant incident I encountered was when the roof of the Jungle collapsed. Otherwise it was pretty much lots of young partiers, most dressed quite fashionably, having a ball at the well organized and police monitored events. Even if tourists stay away from the party venues, some still stroll the beach road and take advantage of the many vendors lined up selling fresh cooked food or dip into one of the beach bars for a drink.

[Drifter141]

well it's Negril on steroids....it's the busiest it ever gets...packs of guys and ladies walking the beach/beach road
it so busy that it's hard for mi to ride mi bicycle around there....some days the beach road becomes a parking lot
last year they jacked up the live venue ticket prices and the turnout wasn't like previous years....

make sure you stock up on snacks and foodie stuff as the stores run out of stuff......
expect longer wait times when ordering food and drinks etc.......
especially like at places like the Corner Bar which is packed all Dream Week.....
even Burger King is packed all day and night........

for whatever reason the Cliffs doesn't show the huge affects of Dream Week like the beach does....
guess the Kingston crowd don't move off the beach/beach road much.....
though the lanes off the West End Rd gets a nice influx of people staying at der places
mi know the major complaint on the West End establishments is that the vistors don't spend much money at der places...
guess they go to the stores or stands and buy food and eat at der places.......oh well

the biggest problem with Dream Week is all the room prices are jacked up sky high....
no necessarily food prices but primarily the rooms....the rooms are usually sold out on the beach
but you can still get rooms on the Cliffs.....like always....but don't count on having pipe wata all da time
pipe wata is intermittent on the Cliffs when wi have a huge influx of people in Negril these days.....
mi know it's coming so you just grin and bare it......yah mon

if you see an old fat expat guy riding around on his bicycle.......dat mi......lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

Thanks for the info! Ha, I may be trying to hitch a ride on the back of your bike to avoid the traffic!