First Timers Looking for Tips...

[RachandJ]

My wife and I are returning to Jamaica after 10 years to celebrate our 10th aniiversary with a vow renewal at Couples Swept Away. We were married in Ocho Rios at a Sandals resort back in 2002. We're 39 and 40 years old and looking to sample everything Negril has to offer duringour 10 days there. We're looking to really let our hair down and relax after building a life, career, family, etc. over the last decade. Anyway.....

I'll take any advice I can get and have already gleaned some great stuff from the board. Some specific questions.....

Anyone been to Tedd's lately? Sounds like our kind of place and something worth spending a day on.

How is Blue Hole? Looks like a unique experience.

We don't want to stay at a place like Hedo, but wouldn't mind sampling the lifestyle. Is there a fun place where the vacationers hang out aside from Rick's? We're hoping to meet a few other couples while we're away. We're former bar and restaurant staff and we're typically quite social when not tied to our daily responsibilities.

Also very interested in the Pelican Bar if anyone has anything to share.

How's the shopping? I hear there's a Scotiabank and a Burger King there? I didn't think it would be that commercial.

Anyway, this is my first post, so hope to hear back with any tips or ideas. We're at CSA Jan 22-Feb 1 with another couple travelling with us.

J

[suzengrace]

I dont know if you need to spend a day at Tedd's -hes still around-just go to his house ,get what you need and enjoy back at your hotel-or some special place..

The blue hole out by brighton beach is a really nice day spent..

Pelican Bar is always a cool day trip to do(maybe include with black river boat ride)

Not sure about what kind of shopping-if it be groceries, etc there is a hi-lo in town...for gifts, etc theirs the craft market.

Yes there is a Scotia bank (good place to use the atm) and a burger king...I wouldn't say its gotten more commercial just alot more built up..

As far as meeting people-theres all kind of bars everywhere- i rec you take a route taxi up to Canoe for exc food and drink -have some exc.food at De-bar one nite (best jerk imo)and then further up to LTU for lunch one day(killer view and nice vibes)and then theres always Miyard with its 24 hour parade of all types...

As you can see am more into the cliff area-am sure others have suggestions-esp with regards to places to hang on the beach,,

[booger]

"As you can see am more into the cliff area-am sure others have suggestions-esp with regards to places to hang on the beach,,"

Me too! Take in a pub crawl that Wednesday the 25th after chilling on the beach for a couple of days which will take you to 6 or so bars up on the cliffs. Here's a link http://negril.com/forum/showthread.php?2350-Love-Bus-Bar-Crawl-Always-A-Blast-This-and-Every-Wednesday


You can also head down the beach and hit numerous bars that catch your interest. One thing about Negril is almost every tourist I have come across is chill and laid back and striking up conversation is as easy as it gets.


Pelican bar is a good time and would be better with a crowd. Take in another area as well to fill the day such as YS Falls, Black River, Appleton Rum Factory, etc. Hire a driver for the day and have fun. Look under tours at the top of the page and you'll find a reputable driver.

Have dinner at Ivan's at Catcha Falling Star at sunset and kick it at the bar afterwards. The bartenders are entertaining.... It's two properties over from Rick's towards the beach.

Last but not least, hang out here for awhile and you'll pick up all sorts of great ideas. Read some trip reports to see what others have done.

[x l ent]

You might find the "Hedo" lifestyle at fireflycottagesnegril.com
Not sure if you need to be a patron to be envolved, and I think they are more naturalists and laid back than Hedo.

[marley9808]

Booger- we are going to have a GREAT time in April....you like all the same things we do! lol
Partay!!!!
We are going to have so much fun at Ivan's Bar!

[Marko]

Welcomes RachandJ to da Board!

I would think a place like Firefly would be up your alley............
or a place like Coco LaPalm is very nice and a great resort on the beach..........
if you are open to staying on the Cliffs.......mi would point you to Catcha Falling Star........
or a place like Blue Cave Castle on the Cliffs is very nice and fairly inexpensive.........

instead of going to Ricks..........go next door to LTU........
great vibe there and think you two would enjoy it a lot

getting around you need to learn the Red Plate Route Taxi thingy.........
after a day you two will be Pros at it.........
$100J's each from Roundabout to anywhere on the beach.......and the same for the Cliffs.....
so it's $200J's each to go from say Coco LaPalm up to LTU on the Cliffs.........

Blue Hole or Mayfield Falls are the two best bets for a tour close to Negril...........
mi usually push travelers towards Mayfield Falls because it's a lot of fun.......

for the Pelcian Bar you need to get to Black River and then take the boat out to the Pelician.......
you can do the Pelcian Bar in conjuction with say YS Falls or the Black River Tour thingy.......

shopping can be had on the beach everyday......just walk up and down it and you'll see tons of stuff for sale.......
also you can go for normal civilize shopping at Times Square, the Craft Market by the Roundabout and shops at Sunshine Plaza.......

yes there is some comercialization in Negril but for the most part it's still mom and pop type operations........

read the board and ask questions and you'll be in good shape on your reach.........

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Captain Oil]

Take twice the money and half the clothes you planned on