What route taxi/Coco to Canoe

[mavmaiden]

Hello fellow Negril lovers!

I haven't been to Negril- or on this board- in 5 years. I've been to Negril 4 times, but that abruptly stopped when I moved cross-country (U.S.) 5 years ago which cost a bunch, then covid hit when I was almost ready to afford going back again!

I will be in Negril for almost 2 weeks in December. Counting. Every. Single. Day!!!

I've actually never used a route taxi because I usually either spend all my time walking up and down the beach (eating/drinking/listening to music) or on the Cliffs (chillin').

I'll be at Coco LaPalm for the first 5 days of my trip and want to head to Canoe (never been but heard lots about it). I think it might be a bit too long of a walk. Should I walk to the roundabout and get a taxi from there? How do I recognize a route taxi and do I just flag them down? I know it's stupid question, but like I said, I haven't had the need to use one before!

On a separate note-- I've heard there's a weed shop above Chances. Is that still correct?

Respect and Whoohoo! Cannot wait!

[VVHT]

Mavmaiden,

Are you going to Canoe solo or with others?

I was at Coco back in April and during the day would take a Route Taxi from in Front of Coco to the Roundabout and then another taxi from there up the West End Road to Canoe. Each Route Taxi is $150 Jamaican for each leg of the trip or $600 Jamaican total round trip.
NOTE that I did this during the DAY, at night, there were few Route Taxis at night on the West End Road.
I was in Negril last month at Seastar Inn and again, there were few Route Taxis at night on the West End Road.
The Route Taxi fare is $150 Jamaican for each leg per passenger, I choose to pay $500 Jamaican each leg per passenger due the high price of gas.

At night I would charter a private taxi for drop off and pickup which was about $20US. Usually I was going to Mi Yard which is just up the road from Canoe.

ALWAYS CONFIRM the price before getting in a Taxi.
Route Taxis can be identified by the Red license plate and the decal on the side of the door that indicates the route. I would suggest you only get in a taxi going to Canoe from Coco that indicates Negri, Green Island, Sav La Mar or West End. On the return trip, I would do the same.
Remember, Route Taxis are public transportation, you may not be the only one in the taxi.
If you are traveling with others, a charter taxi might be the better option.

Good luck and Enjoy,

VVHT

[mavmaiden]

Thank you so much, VVHT!!

I truly appreciate you taking the time to explain very clearly what I need to do! That is so very helpful for me.

I will be solo, so I'll be sticking to route taxis the few times I need a ride. I am also staying at Seastar for 5 nights (my third visit there). The only problem I have at Seastar is that I like to have a dinner or two at nearby restaurants (LTU, Catcha) since it's Christmas AND my birthday, but I hate walking down that lane by myself when it's already dark! But to ask a driver to take me on a 2-minute drive seems a bit much!! LOL.

Thanks again!!

[VVHT]

mavmaiden,

Sunset in December is between 5:30 and 5:45pm in Negril.
I'm not sure where you want to eat on the West End, but when I'm at Seastar Inn, I usually walk up to LTU for a sunset dinner and take a Route Taxi back (if available). A Route Taxi will drive you down the lane to Seastar Inn for an additional cost, you NEED to discuss this additional cost BEFORE you get in the taxi. It usually is another $100 Jamaican or so. Base rate is $150 Jamaican plus another $100 for off route (down to Seastar).
Because the Jamaican government has NOT raised Route Taxi fares despite the increase in fuel cost, I choose to pay $500 Jamaican per leg on my Route Taxi routes.

Or, you can hook up with other guests at Seastar and charter a taxi or use Errol the Seastar Driver 876 804 7671.
If Errol isn't available, either he or someone at Seastar can hook you up with another driver.

When hailing a Route Taxi, stand on the side of the road in the direction you want to go and when you see a Route Taxi coming, point your arm in the direction you want to go and that signals the Taxi driver that you want a ride. If he has sufficient room he will pull over. Sometimes they are too full or have a scheduled pickup and will drive by.
Make sure the decal on the side of the door indicates either: Negril, West End, Green Island or Sav La Mar and it has a red license plate.

My last two trips to Negril in April 2022 and September 2022 required me to use a Charter Taxi at night due to few Route Taxis on the West End Road after dark.
I choose to use Charter Taxis rather than walk on the West End Road at night due to the lack of activity on the Road. Many places are either closed or little activity when I was there.

You will have a blast at Coco and Seastar!

Enjoy,

VVHT

[Bnewb]

The only problem I have at Seastar is that I like to have a dinner or two at nearby restaurants (LTU, Catcha) since it's Christmas AND my birthday, but I hate walking down that lane by myself when it's already dark! But to ask a driver to take me on a 2-minute drive seems a bit much!! LOL.

Don't ever worry about the distance being too short. You'll find many Jamaicans getting a cab for the same distance when it's dark.
Don't hesitate to ask at Seastar also...they'll be happy to find you a ride. 👍

[TuffGong]

Headed down in a few weeks, will places be closed on the West End at that time?

And agreed on that walk at night down to Seastar, definitely would not do that alone.

[sandman66]

Just a thought. If you are willing to walk as far as the roundabout, it’s not a whole lot further to Canoe. If you don’t mind walking, Coco to Canoe is a reasonable walking distance.
If you’re staying at Seastar, unless things have changed, they put on a fantastic Christmas feast, we have gone a few times.
And another nearby option for great restaurants is Kool Vybes, very close to Seastar.

[brownsd54]

As for your question on the "weed shop", I'm not sure about Chances. They have done some major renovations there over the last few years and it wouldn't surprise me if the was a new shop upstairs. If not, there is a shop across the street at the Boardwalk Plazza (where the new HiLo is). Upstairs and closest to the road. It's called The Soap Factory

[mavmaiden]

Y'all are awesome! It's so nice to hear such friendly voices!

VVHT- that's exactly what I was thinking. I figured I'd walk to LTU one night and perhaps Catcha another. I figured the walk there would be fine for a reservation around 5:30 or 6 pm, then take a taxi back to Seastar. Only problem is if I can't find a route taxi at the time. But I will check with Errol to see if he's willing to pick me up at a specific time if he's available. I'll be using him for the ride back to the airport. And I've stayed at both Seastar and Coco in the past-- so I am planning on having a blast at both!! Love both places.

Sandman666- Yep, I think I can handle the walk from Coco to Canoe. However, in all honestly, I will likely have at least a rum punch or two with lunch...and that makes the walk back a bit harder! And I will be going to the Christmas Day Eve buffet at Seastar. Chris said they're still working on possible live music, but the buffet is sufficient enough! It's the next day (26th) that I'm thinking I want to do a cliffside dinner. It's my 60th birthday and I'm happy to be alive and irie!

brownsd54- Thanks for that info! I'll run by Chances and if the shop is gone, just keep walking to the Boardwalk!

[sandman66]

If plans work out, wife and I will definitely be at Seastar for their Xmas dinner, although we aren’t staying there.