Melody--since everyone has different opinions and ways to travel in negril, I can give you some tips and some information to answer some of your questions. Of course this comes from my experience and what works for me, so some advice will differ from other things posted. As you have probably seen taxi discussions share a lot of opinions. I think you can weigh everything and see what you feel most comfortable with once you are there. As it is your first trip, if you can afford to hire charters., go for it. I didn't start using route taxi's till trip number 3. This set of info was done in order of your questions inyour first lengthy post, i didn't get to your 2nd set of questions.
1. Most importantly do not use white plate cars even if they say there are legit, only red plates are licensed and insured to carry passengers and you should have no problems with them.
2. Many dinner places do have pick up, so have phone numbers for the places you want to try. And true, I have never seen a charter taxi take 5 dollars for a trip of any length.
3.I would feel free to take a red plate route taxi any time any where (on their route for 100 J) unless the cab is full of local riders or you see a lot of workers on the road looking to get taxis. I have never had a problem with overcrowded cab, we were always able to pick up all fares.
4. I don't ask routes to go off their route for extra, but I know others have--not sure of the protocol on that one --I just always figured they should stick with assigned route. I guess you could ask the driver,
5. I am not well off either, in fact really on a shoestring. I have run out of money in JA before which believe me you don't want that to happen. If I took charter taxis it would kill my budget and limit where I could go and what I could do. I like going to a show or two and seastar saturday night etc. I economize by cooking most of my own food and only going out for one or two nice meals. My ex Jamaican boyfriend taught me how to use to route taxis and I haven't looked back since.
6, I do use charters for grocery runs or if I am going out at night with a couple of people. And regardless of where you are it is good to carry a number or two of good drivers and if you are staying out late alone have a plan for how you are getting home. Charters will bargain, they start high! I have been charged 25 to go to Hi Lo from NBCC and didn't know better about getting a lower price and at that time didn't know where hi lo was. I should have walked and then got a cab back After that ride I always make counter offers unless the price seems reasonable--but I dont like the bargaining thing. I can't afford to take taxis at home either and do not have a car--so I am always on the subway, come snow, storms, or 3 am mornings.
7. I think your idea is great of having a bus make runs up and down and that was piloted at one point with the one love bus, I wish that was viable, I would take it. The first time it ran it didn't have a set fee but just tip the driver. Maybe if they charged something--enough for them to make some money and inexpensive enough for us to afford, OR if you could buy week passes or something I would be on that bus a lot. and it would make it easier for tourists to explore more of Negril--places that might otherwise not be discovered and it would give some of the remote places more business.
If you have any Qs feel free to pm me.
Disclaimer: these views are not universally agreed upon, just what works for me with no problem, mon. To be weighed with any and all advise given, except that of those that are certifiable, have a penchant for exaggeration or are voted by a majority to be clueless and/or irresponsible.