if you decide to get tattooed wait until your last day. as Rob stated swimming is a no no. washing the tattoo a couple times a day is recommended but soaking it is bad, and the chlorine and salt water will damage the ink.

afterwards no sun for 4 weeks, like none at all! even though the scabs might be gone the tissue is still repairing the 'damage' underneath, during this time the tattoo is susceptible to burning more than usual, and don't think sunscreen will be enough.

excessive scabbing can be a sign of poorly done tattoo but it can also be a sign of a poorly cared for tattoo, i personally would not recommend soaking the scabs with a compress, just wash it 2-3 times per day.

i have not personally checked out the shops around negril, but i will next time i'm there as a professional curiosity as that is what i have been doing for a living for the past 16yrs.

if you do decide to get a tattoo make sure you see them open the single use needles and tubes in front of you. but other things to watch for is cross contamination. if the artist is tattooing someone and then adjusts a lamp or pours some ink with dirty gloves that is a huge no no and in that case using disposable equipment will not protect you.

don't make impulsive decisions because you feel you need to be 'in the right mood' when you get it. as you know, tattoos are permanent and it's worth doing it right, whether you get it done in negril or back home safety and quality of the work are the most important factors.