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

[beachpearl]

WOOOOOW - Melody! Thank you sooo much for posting all of that info - this is great stuff.
I am going to be sure to print it

[beachpearl]

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.

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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!

Thanks for the pictures - they are always helpful

[beachpearl]

Route taxis:
Beach road is one route; cliff road a different route, separated pretty much by the roundabout
Example:
Route taxi:
1)Jamaica $200s. (one way for 2 people, $100j for 1)
2) Go out to the street on the beach side. Look as though you might possibly consider taking a route cab.
3) In about 30 seconds, a route cab will beep at you (it will have red plates and the route will be stenciled on the front door or fender). Raise your arm, and when the driver pulls in, say Route taxi, and/or $100 pp? He'll say Yes
4) Get in. Say Roundabout
5) At the roundabout, hand him JA $200 and get out.
6) on way back, walk across the street (don't get run over here - remember what direction traffic comes from!).
7) Repeat step 3.
8) Get in. Say Country Country
9) When he stops at Country Country, hand him $200 JA and get out.
If going to west end (or vice versa), ask if he will do it direct - $500 for 2? $600 would be ok (you pay extra for the convenience of not having to change taxis – and if the driver agrees, he doesn’t have to go off his route and won’t if it’s busy.

Route taxis line up on the road perpendicular to main road "in front of Valuemaster"- inbetween Valuemaster & Scotiabank

I keep reading about the "roundabout". what exactly is that?

[beachpearl]

I like to change money at FX Traders which is inside the air-conditioned HI-LO grocery store at the Sunshine Plaza.
You'll need I.D. and you'll get a good rate.
Do not change money with the touts outside the store who approach you.
Yes you can change the money back to US when you leave, if you have surplus.
Change a couple of hundred to begin with.
You'll probably spend that on taxi's, drinks etc in 4 days.

You won't have to 'flag' a taxi outside Treehouse. You'll be honked at; gestured to; asked if you want a taxi. Negotiate before hoping in.
From Treehouse to lets say the HI-LO plaza; I wouldn't pay more than 500J for a charter ride. Thats about 6 dollars; far cheaper than a cab in your hometown for the same distance. That's on the high side.

It was like that when I was near the entrance of the AI I stayed at when I was using the resort's driver service.
I was always afraid to get in one of those, though.

[Melody]

Shayne's number is 876-3599. Excellent cabbie that will take good care of you. safe driver. he also took us back to the airport when we were ready to leave.

876 572 3599

[nutz4travel]

The roundabout is the traffic circle in Negril

[Melody]

I keep reading about the "roundabout". what exactly is that?

Have a look at the map I posted a link to earlier. Really, print it out, the beach page for sure (on legal paper) and maybe the cliff page as well. The downtown page is a bit helpful but several of the businesses listed in the shopping centres are not up-to-date. Among everything else listed, you will see where the roundabout is located.

The roundabout is a traffic circle that is at the end of the beach road. Just on the other side of the roundabout (towards the sea) you will find the downtown shops (Value Master, HiLo, Scotiabank, etc) and it then becomes the cliff road.

[beachpearl]

Good advice above. You can buy rum at the Quality Traders. The juice guys walk down the beach and will have fresh orange, pineapple, mango, papaya, soursop for $5 US for 750ml. Mix with rum for a delicious drink. Go South (left) on the beach to Rainbow Arch for good food. Stop at Firefly during the day and visit with the crazy naked people and all of the Jamaicans that hang out there. On the road roughly across from Coco La Palm is Best in the West jerk chicken. All of these are a 10-55 min. walk from Treehouse. The jerk pork man on the beach has good pork. We had a god supper last week at Country Country which is next door to you.

What is soursop juice and what does it taste like or taste similar to?

[beachpearl]

Another spot that everyone loves, is Red Dragon.. Great local spot with a wonderful bar, coldest beer in town and full of an eclectic blend of locals and tourists. The best jerk pork in Negril IMHO. Gotta get there early to get some though. It is not on the beach however. Grab a few friends and a route taxi...for a special day indeed. This message board will be full of great ideas and ventures. Some really terrific folks that are eager to help a newbie. We have all been there. Enjoy your holiday and have fun!!!

This board has beenn immensely helpful and I am thankful of all replies!

[beachpearl]

Captaind is right! Linston is really a great guy. Trust mi mon, he will take good care of you. He knows all the runnings and is a really safe driver. You will have no worries at all if you hook up with Linston. There is nothing more comforting when you venture out on your own...than having a great driver. He is dependable and will treat you with respect...like family. I highly recommend him! Have a great vacation venturing out to see the real Jamaica.

I am leaning toward hiring a driver for the duration...