Help For A Non-AI Newbie? Many Questions, Please Help

[beachpearl]

Hi everyone,

I will be in Negril in 4 days and it is my 1st time staying at a non-AI. I am there for 5 days.
I have been to Negril 3 times before, but never really ventured outside the resorts except for Ricks, Margaritaville, Times Square & a few excursions.

I'm staying at the Treehouse so breakfast will be taken care of, but I'm unsure what to do about lunch & dinner.
Can anyone recommend good restaurants or spots along the beach, specifically those that have jerk chicken and seafood?
I would also immensely appreciate if anyone can give me an approximation of cost.

Beach vendors: besides meat patties, what kind of juices (looking for exotic juices like guava & passionfruit) do they have other snacks as well? Approximate prices?

Where can I get good and strong rum punch or other fruity alcoholic drinks for a reasonable price? I don't drink beer so Red Stripe specials don't help. I am a skinny lady, but I can put away some liquor.
Any happy hours not to be missed? I already have the One Love Bus Pub Crawl scheduled. How much money should I bring for that and how much do people normally tip the driver?

What restaurants provide a free pick-up or taxi service? I'm open to going on the cliff side if there are excellent options for either food or nightlife.
Although the ride is free, I assume the driver is to be tipped?

Besides Times Square, where can I go to pick-up rum and rum cream for cheap? Need it for drinks in the room.

Is Kuyaba worth the money for dinner?

Parasailing: is that usually a little less expensive if I use a beach service instead of the resort's service and are they both as equally as safe?

What are some good options for nightlife? I like music - either live or a D.J. I thought about trying the Jungle - is it really all you can drink for $20.00 on Saturday nights? Is that anything you want to drink? What is the cover charge?

Money - I have always used U.S. dollars. I am not a numbers person, so I get nervous about conversions, where to convert (there is a charge, right?) and if I would come out saving money by using Jamaican currency rather than U.S. If I were to convert, how much would you suggest converting? And can I convert it back before I leave?

Taxi drivers: will I do better leaving the resort (instead of asking them for a driver) and flagging down a red-plate to get around? What is the difference between a red plate taxi and a route taxi? Taxis are a safe way to get around?

I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions, answers, etc.

THANKS!

[kcwatersport]

i am new to negril as well....and can only offer a little insight.....the beach is the answer to many of your questions, many places to get something to eat, there is a juice guy that walks the beach try him for juices....let us know how things go for you, have fun!!!

[VVHT]

Beachpearl,

I suggest you go to www.RealNegril.com and checkout the schedule for live webcasts. Tonight is Seastar Inn. Join in the Live Chat and ask any questions you want.

Enjoy,

VVHT

[captaind]

beachpearl,

As this is your first time outside the AI you would be well served to get acquainted with a private driver/guide to help you get acquainted with Negril.

I will unabashedly recommend my son Linston. He has a licensed and insured PPV (taxi) and has spent 16 years in the States. He is my adopted son and I can promise you he will treat you fairly and show you an enjoyable time outside the AI.

Here's his web site www.redplate-negril.com

I've lived in Jamaica off and on for 40 years and most of the folks on this board know me.

Regards,

Captain Dave

PS. When you go to the web site I'm the fat white guy in the pictures

[beachpearl]

i am new to negril as well....and can only offer a little insight.....the beach is the answer to many of your questions, many places to get something to eat, there is a juice guy that walks the beach try him for juices....let us know how things go for you, have fun!!!

Thanks - hoping I'll find most of whai I want on the beach!

[beachpearl]

Beachpearl,

I suggest you go to www.RealNegril.com and checkout the schedule for live webcasts. Tonight is Seastar Inn. Join in the Live Chat and ask any questions you want.

Enjoy,

VVHT

I will check that out - thanks!

[beachpearl]

beachpearl,

As this is your first time outside the AI you would be well served to get acquainted with a private driver/guide to help you get acquainted with Negril.

I will unabashedly recommend my son Linston. He has a licensed and insured PPV (taxi) and has spent 16 years in the States. He is my adopted son and I can promise you he will treat you fairly and show you an enjoyable time outside the AI.

Here's his web site www.redplate-negril.com

I've lived in Jamaica off and on for 40 years and most of the folks on this board know me.

Regards,

Captain Dave

PS. When you go to the web site I'm the fat white guy in the pictures

Lol - I've added this to my favorites bar - thanks!

[Jaherring]

Kuyaba is well worth the price for dinner.
As for a driver ask for shayne at kuyaba. best in Negril. He will take good care of you.

[Melody]

I stayed at Country Country twice in 2012. It's right next door to Treehouse (left when facing the sea). I compiled notes before my first trip and have added to it since. It was mostly copied from "Marko's List" originally and have addd other's comments along the way. Hope it helps and isn't too confusing. Sorry, it's not very "well done", and I notice some repeats. If anyone spots changes required, please do so, maybe we can get it as up-to-date as possible.

***
Bars (there are 100's and this is just a sample - mi favorites):

Legends (beach) and SamSara (cliffs) Happy Hour 4 - 7PM
YellowBird Happy Hour 9:00 – 6:00 on da beach – 2 dirty bananas for $5
Rockhouse 6-7pm (cliffs)
SeaStar Inn Happy Hour 4-6pm (cliffs)
Canoe Happy Hour 2-6pm - 2 for 1 cocktails, 5 or 6 varieties (cliffs, close to roundabout)
Coco LaPalm 2 for one Happy Hour from 5 to 7 every night but Monday
Boat Bar for 200J Red Stripes on da beach
Sunnyside Bar (Yellow and Green with bench seating - next to ROOMS) 150J Red Stripe Beers, small little place,
SunBeach for 170J Red Stripes on da beach – “it's mi hangout on da beach”
Firefly for 170J Red Stripes on da beach (the small, clothing optional hotel)
White Sands Mondays $170J Red Stripe Beers – daily drink specials 1-4
Wild Parrot – great drinks and food, Excellent. Coconut shrimp. sunset happy hour 5-after sunset

2012 Negril Nightlife & Party Schedule
Clubs (these are the most popular but there are more)

Alfreds for Live Music on Sunday on da beach 10PM - 2PM $500J's Admission - Drinks & Beers $200J's
Cafe Goa on Sunday for Brunch on da beach road with live music - Best Coffee in Negril
Palms has Jazz on Sunday Evenings with no admission cost
White Sands on the beach, During the day on Mondays has $170J Red Stripe Beers; daily drink specials
Bourbon Beach Ladies Night on Monday at with Live Music 8:30PM to 2AM
MiYard for live DJ's on da West End Rd Late Tuesday nights till sunrise at – Open 24 Hours
Alfreds on da beach for Live Music on Tuesday nights 10PM - 2PM $500J Admission
Roots Bamboo on Wednesday nights for Live Reggae Concert on da beach 10PM till 2AM
Love Bus Pub Crawl on the Cliffs every Wednesday afternoon, usually Fridays, and sometimes adds extra nights if there’s enough people (pickup begins at 2:30, return after sunset) with free pickup and drop off; email Lenbert (best to do before leaving home, has been getting booked up, very popular) at bananaznegril@hotmail.com; Call: 874 6631 - great guy, I tipped him $20 for 2 people
Bourbon Beach Live Music on Wednesday Nights 8:30PM till 2AM and no coverage charge usually; Live Concert 9PM - 2AM on Saturday Nights
Jungle on Thursday nights for Ladies Night (no cover for women) on da beach road 10PM till everyone leaves (late party place, usually till 4 a.m.) young locals and mix of tourists. DJ, dance club place; Sat is open bar or "all inclusive" they call it there all night...and ladies get in free from 9-10pm only...
Sunset's on the Beach on Thursday nights for 2-4-1 redstripes & rum & free live music.
Charela Inn blues on Thursday nights on da beach, Jamaican folk dancers/entertainment on Sat. nights (early crowd, 7-9pm ish)
SeaWind on Thursday nights has a dinner buffet with live music and show
Canoe Bar and Grill - Thursday afternoons at da for Live Steel Drum Music (6-9pm); 2-6PM is Happy Hour everyday, 2 for one on 5 or 6 drinks – also have Caesars (Canadian influence) – good food, pineapple chill dessert. Just past the cliff side of the roundabout.
Alfreds on da beach for Live Music on Friday nights 10PM - 2PM $500J Admission
Idle Awhile restaurant (Chill Awhile) Friday night buffet (can order from menu) and live music show
LTU on the Cliffs DJ on Friday nights
Margaritaville. Upstairs Fridays from 10PM until 2AM $1000J's all you can drink DJ's
SeaStar Inn on da Cliffs on Saturday nights for $18 for the buffet and entertainment - free pickup and dropoff too!
Jungle Disco is happening on Saturday nights 10PM till 4AM - Ladies drink free from 9PM - 10PM


Groceries and booze:

Mega Mart, Montego Bay – beer in with the groceries; hard liquor, separate area after the tills (pay separately), accept VISA, has a LIME cell phone counter in the store (to the right and towards the back wall when you come in the store, also has a Scotiabank ATM that you pass by when going to LIME counter), may have to ask an employee to call someone to the LIME desk (it’s just a small counter) – paid $999 JMD ($10.50 CAD) for cheapest cell phone incl SIM and $100 JMD in minutes. Can call Can. for $2.99 JMD per minute (3 cents per minute), don’t need an “international plan”. Local LIME to LIME calling is the same cost, LIME to Digicel or local landlines is $8.99 JMD per minute (9 cents per minute)
Negril:
ValueMaster (right by roundabout, closer to beach road, if taking route taxi, you can ask to be dropped off in front). LIME cell store is above this store
HiLo (close to roundabout, but on the cliff route, better for cliff stays) HiLo: 9-7 M-Thur, 9-8 Fri & Sat; 9-3 Sunday
Shamrock (about a mile along the beach road towards the roundabout). Small shop (like a convenience store) on the beach road. Good Prices, well stocked small store
K One (in burger king mall by roundabout), often called, Chinamon’s. Good prices, grocery items and booze, open longer hours, than Valuemaster or HiLO, will also cash travellers cheques, and exchange money for a good rate. Digicel cell phone store is in this strip mall


Mikey's is expensive and very small (close to CC, North, across the road) – mix or small selection of booze in a pinch. There is a better one a bit further North, but I haven’t been. Shamrock works well after going to ATM at Time Square (shopping centre) or to the Cambio (to exchange cash or travelers cheques, in front of Bourbon Beach)

live local entertainment:
beach bars usually have live reggae bands doing cover material of familiar reggae tunes -*Alfreds (Sun, Tue, Fri) cover charge $500JMD $6CDN,
*Roots Bamboo (Wed)
*Canoe Bar (Thurs)
Boat Bar for some free live reggae featuring Otis gayle.....ice cold redstripes and food that is delicious!!! ??? Red Stripe catamaran

One Love Bus bar crawl, Lenbert @ bananaznegril@hotmail.com; Call: 874 6631

[nutz4travel]

There's a grocery store (Mini Mart I think?) just up the beach road from Treehouse, they have a pretty good selection. We stayed next door at Country Country and it was an easy walk.




Parasailing - there are only 1 or 2 actual boat operators, so who you "buy" it from doesn't make much of a difference.

Exchange - you can exchange before you go (have your bank order it for you) or use an ATM in Negril to get cash out. Depending on where you bank there may be fees attached to that... They will take USD, but it usually ends up costing more.

Enjoy your 1st non-AI experience, I'm sure you'll love it - we're hooked!