Trip help! September reach :)

[agregory]

Thanks for the compliments!

Frenchman's Cove for a relaxing day. Have you been there? We don't ever stay at AI resorts, so it was a treat having someone bring us drinks and food on the beach for a day. I wouldn't say it's a cheap day, especially if you were to order a lot of drinks But it was absolutely worth it! And definitely bring snorkel gear if you have it with. The river is nice to swim through and very clear. It's a gorgeous place! The day we were there it was overcast, but still very nice. I can just imagine a clear, sunny day there I see your staying across the street, so maybe you've been there already?

Another relaxing day, if you like to walk along a long, white beach - head to Long Bay Beach and walk. Bring something to lay down in the sand to sit on and watch the waves crash with a Red Stripe or a fresh, cold coconut with rum poured into the water - mmm

I would also suggest spending a day at Boston Bay, on a holiday if possible, which Ja seems to have once a week - lol... eat while your there too. We loved sitting, wading in the water, watching the waves, surfers, cliff jumpers, kids playing and families having fun. Bring a cooler with beer & water. I added rum to a cold coconut here and it was delicious. Add a little ting too

[agregory]

Vacationlovaa - I have been following along with your plans and they sound perfect! I'm jealous! You will have an amazing time I'm sure

If I haven't mentioned it before, you should definitely do the climb/hike/swim up Reach waterfalls with one of the lifeguards! Don't be intimidated by having to climb up the big rock in the beginning. As long as you have water shoes on (I highly recommend flexible water shoes, rather than Keens or Chaco-type shoes with stiff soles) and make sure to be in your swimming suit too. It is an experience we will never forget and anyone who is able-bodied enough to do it should! I swim and husband can really only doggy-paddle and tread water, so he hiked along the falls with the guide during the deep swimming portions. It is amazingly beautiful and seemingly untouched up there. I conquered a small fear of swimming through an opening under a rock from a cave and out into the flowing water! I am so happy I did it! You can see how clear and beautiful the water is here -

[agregory]

I don't know if you went back and searched, but I wrote a trip report last year from our Portland trip. Maybe it will give you ideas. I dream about being back there... maybe next trip to Ja

https://negril.com/forum/showthread....it-to-Portland

[agregory]

That's funny about the taxi driver! I hope he got a good picture of you to show his friends

IDK if the Rio Grande rafting is closed Mondays. I've never heard that it is, but that doesn't mean it's not... Hopefully someone else can answer that question.

We do pack a softsided cooler in our checked bag. I would recommend a backpack-type cooler because it's much easier to carry and keep your hands free

[Vacationlovaa]

Thank you @agregory for all the info. I’ve been trying out some backpacks and testing them all out actually lolol. I’ve been so busy with work i couldn’t respond sooner BUT that means closer to my reach !!! I appreciate everyone’s help in my journey as always.

[Maralunatic]

I don't know if the official Rio Grande tour is closed or not, but we hired a rogue captain and had a blast! Nice relaxing way to spend the morning, and we stopped at Belindas for something to eat halfway through. Since we weren't using the official tour, we left the river slightly before the end and Devon picked us up.

[agregory]

I don't know if the official Rio Grande tour is closed or not, but we hired a rogue captain and had a blast! Nice relaxing way to spend the morning, and we stopped at Belindas for something to eat halfway through. Since we weren't using the official tour, we left the river slightly before the end and Devon picked us up.

That's exactly what we did Maralunatic, a rogue captain Our driver hooked us up and picked us up just before the official end. It was a great experience!