No longer our happy place.

[Rob]

Aw yes! The good old days. We're still the same Rob. We just go the bed earlier, wake up to pee more often, and when we do get up out of bed, we have to put one foot on the floor and wait until the rest of our body is ready to move in the same direction. I still move down the beach at about the same speed. The only thing is 30 years ago It was on foot, now it's on a motorcycle.

It's still possible to keep things the way they were, we just need to adapted a little. For example if the noise at Rick's is too much, staying a Tensing Pen or LTU isn't an option. What about Westender or Seastar. If there are too many parties at Waves then think about White Sands across the road or Rayon. For me (or us) we found The Point Village was perfect. Staying there for 20 years and then bought 12 years ago. Out on Rutland point, far removed from traffic noise and no beach party noise. You can hear a little noise from Royalton or maybe even RIU across the bay but that is gone before midnight. The only down fall is, well it's far removed. Too far to walk and go shopping. To far for groceries, so you have to have a driver or a vehicle.

If you want real quiet, think about Little Bay or even Treasure Beach. The problem with that is it's quiet but no vibe.

It's still possible to save Negril, we just need to adapt.

Question though, Rob, the noise abatement act of 1997 (NAA) is still in place. I can remember JCF was clamping down on loud parties a couple of years ago. I remember being at a friend's place up off Non Pariel Road listen to the boom boom boom. JCF pulled up and it was like a grenade went off. Partiers running in every direction, up the road, through the bush, everywhere. JCF took the speakers and that was the end of that. Rob, what happened to the NAA and why aren't the JCF enforcing it any more if it's scaring us old timers (sorry, Longtimers) away. Maybe a topic of discussion at the next Council meeting.

The NAA was clarified to allow legally licensed parties to extend later. This was done because an overzealous officer was closing everything down. He was taking the word of the law not the intention. There was talk that he was going to make bar owners to install hitching posts for your horse since the law had never technically been changed. He is gone and any late parties that are legal have the proper permits. The JCF have volume meters to make sure the establishment is following the permit. As mentioned, these are mainly for parties during the holidays.

[ol'yardie]

Speaking of Harleys...does anybody remember the boxing ring which was, i think, at Dreamscape? That guy had a Harley but I don't remember
noise like the Japanese bikes of today. What I do remember was that the guy used the boxing club as a way to get young Jamaicans off the island for competitions and to experience more of the world...a worthy endeavor.

[ekfa51]

ricky! he is the best!

[JohnNYC]

re-reading this thread reminded me to pack my earplugs. $2 cures all the noise issues on this thread.

[gregandkelly63]

Earplugs are always in my carry on. You just never know when they will come in handy

[Corey K]

Earplugs are always in my carry on. You just never know when they will come in handy

Over the years noise has never really bothered my sleep. I generally have the a/c and fan on so I don't hear much outside noise.

[rjonsun]

Over the years noise has never really bothered my sleep. I generally have the a/c and fan on so I don't hear much outside noise.

Most of the hotels have mini splits which are very quiet. I You Tube "box fan" which runs a 10 hour fan noise with no commercials.
Regards,
Bob

[RyanP]

Just found this old thread searching around. We just returned from Negril. We have been traveling to Negril over the past 13 years. We never intended it to be a repeat trip but loved it so much after our first trip that we try to make it back every year. When we first started going, I knew that we had found some place special, so I was always eager to return as much as possible because I knew it wouldn't last forever. I still love Negril, but it has changed so much over these past 13 years. I actually have found that since COVID, Negril is much quieter than it was pre-COVID. I feel that COVID accelerated the change. Locals could speak to this more than I can, but I feel that a lot of locals and people working locally have been pushed out due to rising cost of living in the area. We felt that the beach was so quiet this time. It simply does not resemble the beach atmosphere that existed a decade ago. I hope that Negril will always maintain some of its character and not just turn into a tourist destination, but I do worry. We still love it and will return. Our next trip is currently planned for 18 months out and I am trying to emotionally deal with knowing I have to wait that long.

[Jamerican71]

I'm just reading through this thread and it's sad to hear that so many feel they are done with Negril. I'm wondering if it's just that we are all aging and the same things that we used to loved about Negril are not the same things now. There are probably just as equal amount of people who still love the noise. When I first started traveling to Negril over 20 years ago, I loved going to the various nightclubs and the loud noise never bothered me BUT now being in bed by 10pmish or on my patio is far more satisfying. The noise still doesn't bother me but I rarely hear it at Negril Beach Club. We stayed at Aqua Beach Villa and the noise from Roots Bamboo still didn't bother me. As another posted said, maybe ear plugs would help those that are more sensitive to the noise. I travel to other islands but I will never be done with Negril.

[fargoman]

SVW...I am in Negril now. I have been here 3 times already this year and the water situation is way better then it was last year. I have talked a few locals and it has been pretty good for them versus last year. Most of the hotels have water tanks for backup if needed.. i.e Treehouse, Cocolapalm, Charela ect ect. Book at a place with backup tanks and you should have no worries.