Tips for doing non-AI

[luvmylabs]

So, I think I might have my husband talked into a spring trip.

We have always done all-inclusive trips and I wanted to try to go the non-AI route for this trip (Catcha/Coco split).

What are some tips to do non-AI inexpensively? We like to drink, especially on vacation. We would probably eat breakfast and dinner and have a patty or something light for lunch, if anything.

Thanks to everyone on this board for all of the great trip reports making me want to do the non-AI thing.

[VVHT]

Are you staying at Catcha Gardens or Catcha Falling Star?

Directly across from Catcha Falling Star is Wise Choice mini mart, great for snacks, beer and liquor. Not sure if either catcha has refridgerators in the rooms. I always bring a collapseable cooler and store beverages in that, replenish ice as needed.

Many great places for affordable dinners on both the cliffs and beach.

Enjoy,

VVHT

[garysteph1018]

When I compared the cost of a beach front room at Couples Swept Away, and staying at Catcha for a week .... Catcha came out a good bit cheaper. The food in Negril is relatively inexpensive, and you can always buy some drinking supplies & snacks at a nearby market. That's what we did, and we had a spectacular time!

And of course you know to only take a Red Plate Taxi any where!

Do it girl ... do it!!!!

[Ras Walleye]

Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy yourself.

[flfungal]

I know you'll have a small frig at coco. I always have my driver stop at the mega mart on the way in to buy lots of Red Stripe, snacks, etc.

Red Stripes are very cheap at numerous bars around coco as well, i.e., Sun Beach and Firefly to the right. Try to catch the patty man on the beach for patties for lunch/snacks. You also have The Best of the West Jerk Chicken right across the street which is nice and inexpensive as well!

I love Coco. Have a wonderful time!!

[Dwest]

We always buy some staples to have on hand for light lunches or for nights we don't feel like going out. Is your breakfast in with the room? If not, then bring baggies with cereal, pick up some bread, butter, etc. Our. Breakfast is included so we decided we will only eat one meal out a day and usually lunch is the cheapest but picking up some patties or some jerk is also a good way to go. But we're going to mis it up..lunch one day,supper the next. It really depends on what you have in your room to store or prepare food!

[mamade11]

I knew you would do it eventually!!! For alcohol, we always stop at the airport before we leave the states and bring what we are going to drink (except beer) Much cheaper and we make drinks in the room since I'm the vodka drinker. We did the exact split in December, and LOVED it, and there are great places to go and eat/drink cheaply. By coco, we always went to Firefly for a few, fun and cheap. For coco, look at Negrilonestop.com for their special, and they give you a continental breakfast. You will love it!!!

[booger]

Bring in hard liquor from duty free and buy beers locally. Catcha has an ice machine that you can use to keep the drinks cool in a collapsible cooler while chilling on the cliffs. They also have fridges in the room to keep your drinks nice and cool. Many food options both West End and beach to take advantage of. Also, pay on local currency as the restaurants and stores can set their own exchange rates.

[luvmylabs]

Great tips!! Thank you all so much. This board is the best. If it wasn't for negril.com and reading everyone's great trip reports, I don't think we would've ever considered going non-AI.

[Melody]

Have you booked hotels yet? Negrilonestop just put a new spring sale up for Coco. April 1st - end of June, 4th night free on their mad sale prices.