Oh man this is fun...

[murph]

So at work, my co-workers have been hearing of my excursions to Negril for some time now... we'll I finally talked a couple of them into pulling the trigger on the Treehouse Google offer deal (4 nights for $349 with transfer and breakfast) this was a few months ago.

Now its getting fun. I'm teaching them about the infamous Bamboo hahaha

One of them has really never left her 20 mile radius of rural maine. I mentioned the word "black" and she was like "OMG Jamaicans are black?" This is for real people. I explained most are but not all. I wonder if shes even seen a black person before- no really... She'll have so much fun though, she's going with another co-worker who has been to MoBay so she knows what their getting into!

So I did my 7 page writeup for them of tips, rules, cheap eats, to-dos, not to-dos, happy hours, etc.

This should be good- Ill keep you up to date and hopefully get them to do a trip report!

[Gailieb]

Are you willing to share your "7 page writeup"? Our first trip was in 1997 and I'm pretty sure there are a lot of changes since then.
We're there October 19th for 16 glorious nights !

[541lion]

Please do share

[Islander]

Looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of the newbie

[Lady Jane]

Fun!

[love2travelchic]

One of them has really never left her 20 mile radius of rural maine. I mentioned the word "black" and she was like "OMG Jamaicans are black?" This is for real people. I explained most are but not all. I wonder if shes even seen a black person before- no really...

Wow! Not only will she be introduced to Jamaica but to LIFE...

[JandMinJA]

So where is this write up??

[jenb]

i would also love your list i'm working on compiling one of my own

[murph]

Okay- Heres some of it minus the maps, pics, and things Ive verbally told them. Remember this is based on 2 middle aged women of which only one has been to MoBay once, staying at the Treehouse for only 4 days. This isnt always 'the best' way to do things, but it would be the best (in my opinion) for these women considering their time frame.

Before you go:

Tell bank you’re going to Jamaica
Get Jamaican currency at your bank in US (right now it’s about $1.00US= $100 Jamaican)
Bring a pen with you on the flight down- for the customs forms (otherwise you will wait)
Bring bug/flea repellant with DEET and lots of sunscreen (they have both in Jamaica but its super expensive)
Bring a waterproof floatable necklace type of $ holder that you can put around your neck and swim with

Getting to the Tree House Hotel from Airport:

Be on the lookout for a duty free shop in the airport. If you find it- this could be the cheapest rum that you will find- so pick up a bottle of Appletons
They will most likely use Kenny Tours to travel from Montego Bay to Negril. They're located at desk 2, right outside the arrivals area of the airport. Tons of people will swarm you trying to get you to take their taxi. Just say “No thank you” and proceed to Kenny’s Tours
On the way to Negril, if they don’t give you Red Stripes ‘ask to stop and buy’ –makes the ride more fun
On the way to Negril, also ask to stop at “Bigga’s in Green Island” for the bomb ass jerk pork. try the sauce!

Food:

There is a convenience store (or shack) right across the lobby- great prices, get rum & juice for the room.
You receive 10% off all food & drink charged to your room at Tree house. (Although try to only eat the free breakfast there)
At some point during breakfast- you must try the “Jamaican Breakfast” which is ackee and saltfish. Just try it- it rocks, the fruit ackee tastes just like scrambled eggs.
‘Flex’ sells fresh juice in recycled rum bottles for $5, you’ll find him in the mornings walking the beach. Fresh squeezed OJ, Pineapple & OJ mix, etc.

For Lunch: find “Niah’s Patties”= take a left from treehouse, walk til you see big metal gates, go through gates and walk to last shack on the left (or just ask people for Niah) He doesnt have drinks, so get your patty & walk back through gates and take a left, there is a place called ‘Tony’s Hut’ right there and you can sit, eat and drink.

For Lunch: head out to the road and take a right, look across the street for “Best in the West”

For Cheap Beers & rum punch: $2 Red Stripes and $3 rum punches are just steps away from Treehouse (take right on beach from treehouse). Look for the yellow shack called Auntie’s Thrill Corner, ask for “Nackus”- great guy. They also have cheap $2 patties for lunch. Remember Red Stripes at treehouse are $3.20, so you can save lots of $$

For Dinner: walk out to road, take a left and head to “The Cool Spot” This is more Jamaican cuisine and casual

Saturday- For Dinner one night: cab it to the West End around 4pm to a place called “Canoe” –this place rocks and has 2 for 1 specials. It’s also the start of the west end, so start here get some drinks then walk up the road going in the same direction. Chicken Lavish is a nice place for dinner and is on the way. Swordfish is also on the way and has a great view. Make sure to stop into C&D Country Western Bar- Connie owns the place- she is a trip! Just keep walking up west end hitting up all the drink shacks. No Limit Bar, Blue Cave Castle… but for sunset make sure you make it to world famous- Ricks Café- you will need to hail & take a cab there. Kill some time in between sunset and 7pm then go to Seastar! Seastar does have a buffet available before the reggae show.

At Treehouse- There is a Managers party for the guests on Saturday, it has grown into quite an entertaining event. Free Drinks and finger foods are served and enjoyed along with the music of the house band. After that (or instead of that depending on what time it is), I highly suggest hopping in a cab and go to “Seastar” get there for 7/8pm- there is a buffet and there are performers and drummers- it’s usually pretty wild. After that, walk down the lane back to the main road & take a right. Head to Eddie’s Da Bar. Get some jerk chicken and drinks and sit out back by the fire- Eddie and Trevor are awesome and fun to chat with. Cab it back home after that.

For fancy dinner in the West End:

Ivan's at Catcha Falling Star is the best- go there for a drink just to check it out or for dinner.
Try the Blue Mahoe which is located inside The Spa Retreat.
Try Rockhouse
Try the Lobster Thermadore (best dish in Negril) at Teddy’s Hideaway which is inside the Blue Cave Castle. This is the place I always stay at.

Happy Hours:

Canoe Bar 2-6PM Daily
Yellowbird has an all day 2 for 1 happy hour until sundown
Legends (beach) has Daily Sunset Happy Hour (2 for 1) from 4-7 p.m
Cocolapalm has happy hour from 5-7 every day
White Sands different two for one every day

General Tips:

You have to pay for wireless in your rooms but it is free and fast in the lobby, or just above the lobby on the terrace where breakfast is served.
don't walk along the beach at night
If menu is in US- pay in US, if it is in JA- then pay with JA currency. This way there are no exchange fees
Free lounger chairs are found at Sunbeach (take left at treehouse) Also cheap & powerful drinks there!
Sellers on the beach or road, a simple "No thank you" works best, not "maybe later" or "not now" or "I dont have $ on me" as they will remember you!
Dont open your hand for any "gift". Everythings free until its in your hand.. then its only $500 jamaican!
Dont get your hair braided. It hurts and is expensive

Pubcrawl:

**Call & email Lenbert for the Pub Crawl!!! It’s a free drunk bus that will show you around to the little bars in Negril, just give driver a good tip 876-874 6631 bananaznegril@hotmail.com Sometimes they will do a live video from the bus online. If this is the case, make sure to post to your friends back home the link. Before you leave for Jamaica, its best to contact Lenbert and tell him your dates and where to pick you up.

Using the Cab System-Tips:

Never get in a car with a white plate- EVER
Red plated cars have insurance and are real cabs, white plates are just normal people who pretend to be cabs
For cabs, use the rule= $100-200 per person will get you from Treehouse to the “Round about” Get out walk SOUTH (the direction you were heading in, just follow water) then get in another cab taking it to “West End”. The new cab will be 100-200 per person. You can take one cab the whole way, but it will cost you more- like $10-12 US.
Cabs outside (parked in the actual parking lot of Treehouse) will attempt to lure you in- these cabs cost WAY more than just walking 50 meters to the road and hailing one.
Here's a tip- make friends with another couple and plan trips to town with them to reduce taxi costs

Overall:

Relax, have fun but keep your wits and always be aware of your surroundings.

[murph]

Also- if anyone has anything they think I should add or change- Im all ears! thanks