Great suggestions / comments!
So true - Mr. Nutz used to do that, always saying "maybe later", he's over that now!Originally Posted by BIG SHINY n Mango
Need to add not to let anyone "give" you anything - thanks Kaycee
We're doing the bar crawl with Lenbert again, so they'll get a taste of the west end. Hopefully we'll also make it to Ivan's for dinner!
haha.
Had to yell at my buddy to stop letting people hand him things. Happend like three times over the first day and a half.
do not let the peddlers put anything on your wrist, or hand, , soon come
Don't forget the small easy to use flashlight if you are going out at night. And no wallets in your back pockets. That's not just for JA, I don't put one in my back pocket any time I travel. Cambio's give better exchange rates for your money.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
On our last trip we discovered Bob was guarding the ice machine - we pretty much accessed it 24/7. There is a tall fenced lean-to between the beach restaurant and the Bob Marley carving. The gate/door said keep door closed, not do not enter. So we peeked in and discovered it housed the big commercial ice machine. We certainly weren't the only guests going direct to the source.
Be firm and stand your ground and DO NOT stop if you don't want to look. Don't go over if someone calls you over. Just say no, and be firm. Don't waver - they can sense it if you are wavering. Be sure to get the cab fare worked out before you get in - if it's a route taxi, say, "$1.50 to the roundabout, right?" or something like that so they don't try to charge you more. Don't be shocked at the amount of $ you drop on tips - that was the only thing that really surprised me. We knew it was low season and made sure to tip 20% on meals (like at home) and a few bucks here and there for anything special or out of the way someone does for you - gets you a cooler, refills your ice, carries your bags, etc. Don't be afraid to, with caution, walk and see new stuff, try yard food, etc. Ask the locals if you're wondering if something is good - we found Erica's that way, otherwise we'd never have sought it out on its own. Don't be afraid to haggle - we got some good deals and some okay deals on things that we really wanted (we had very limited time and basically no time to shop, so we had to take what we could get for gifts for those we left at home). If you get coffee to bring home, go to the grocery store - much cheaper there - we went to HiLo. And finally, if someone was having a hard time taking our "no, thank you" for an answer, we said it again and then added, "respect!" and that ended it.
Well; there are many solid pieces of advice in this thread.
I would only add a couple of things, and I may get roasted for them.
First of all; if you have a compromised immune system or irritable bowel syndrome or anything related do not eat at the roadside barrels/stands unless they have a supply of clean fresh water to wash hands and food, and some ice on hand to store their product.
My wife and I were sickened by a very popular west end jerk stand guy (who is no longer with us), who served questionable chicken.
Others on this board have raved about him, so sometimes you can't really trust everything you read.
Don't carry any gov't issued I.D. on you. Just photocopy what you have and keep the real thing in your room safe or hotel's office safe. The photocopies will I.D. you in case of an accident.
Place your cash/room key in a zip lock baggie and put it in your swimsuit pocket (men) or add a little coin purse to the zip lock ladies and safety pin it to your top strap.
Eating at Burger King is not sacrilege. The fish Sandwich is Jamaica caught and the burgers are Jamaica beef according to the posters on the walls.
It's just a money-saver on occasion if you are so inclined and they have good A/C.
So does Juici Patti past the roundabout. I love those patty deals at Juici; often two beef patties and a drink box for 300 J, about 3.75 North American.
The bonus is you get to dine with the locals. Kids in school uniforms; moms and babies; cops; armoured car guards who prop their automatic weapons against the wall, everyone!
Don't negotiate with the taximen parked along Norman Manley Boulevard. In other words don't ask how much the fare is; You say, (if you're going from beach to a cliff resort) "How about 500 J to Catcha" with is about 6 dollars; which I have determined pretty close to fair. Walk away if they say no. Someone else will grab it or the guy will relent and say O.K.
Tell cab drivers you want a slow, safe ride and they will comply.
I've had idiots try to break the land speed record and I just tell them to 'One Stop' and get out of the cab.
As many others have stated; you can have the route cab experience (after establishing that you know the going rate first); but it's really not necessary.
To travel the distance of say the Margaritaville area to deep west on the cliffs in a charter cab is only 5 or 6 hundred dollars in the daytime. That's about 6 or 7 bucks which in your hometown would be an easy 20 dollar ride in a cab.
Well; there are many solid pieces of advice in this thread.
I would only add a couple of things, and I may get roasted for them.
First of all; if you have a compromised immune system or irritable bowel syndrome or anything related do not eat at the roadside barrels/stands unless they have a supply of clean fresh water to wash hands and food, and some ice on hand to store their product.
My wife and I were sickened by a very popular west end jerk stand guy (who is no longer with us), who served questionable chicken.
Others on this board have raved about him, so sometimes you can't really trust everything you read.
Don't carry any gov't issued I.D. on you. Just photocopy what you have and keep the real thing in your room safe or hotel's office safe. The photocopies will I.D. you in case of an accident.
Place your cash/room key in a zip lock baggie and put it in your swimsuit pocket (men) or add a little coin purse to the zip lock ladies and safety pin it to your top strap.
Eating at Burger King is not sacrilege. The fish Sandwich is Jamaica caught and the burgers are Jamaica beef according to the posters on the walls.
It's just a money-saver on occasion if you are so inclined and they have good A/C.
So does Juici Patti past the roundabout. I love those patty deals at Juici; often two beef patties and a drink box for 300 J, about 3.75 North American.
The bonus is you get to dine with the locals. Kids in school uniforms; moms and babies; cops; armoured car guards who prop their automatic weapons against the wall, everyone!
Don't negotiate with the taximen parked along Norman Manley Boulevard. In other words don't ask how much the fare is; You say, (if you're going from beach to a cliff resort) "How about 500 J to Catcha" which is about 6 dollars; which I have determined pretty close to fair. Walk away if they say no. Someone else will grab it or the guy will relent and say O.K.
Tell cab drivers you want a slow, safe ride and they will comply.
I've had idiots try to break the land speed record and I just tell them to 'One Stop' and get out of the cab.
As many others have stated; you can have the route cab experience (after establishing that you know the going rate first); but it's really not necessary.
To travel the distance of say the Margaritaville area to deep west on the cliffs in a charter cab is only 5 or 6 hundred dollars in the daytime. That's about 6 or 7 bucks which in your hometown would be an easy 20 dollar ride in a cab.
Great tip, thanks!
I prefer Shamrock for picking up drinks and other supplies, much more selection than Mikey's across from Coco. Good prices too, unless they're wanting to go all the way downtown. I walk the beach to Alfred's then cut through to the road, just across the street and down towards town a bit from there. He (John) also sells freshly squeezed oj (if they miss the juice guy on the beach). Nice man, I enjoy giving him my business.
When mentioning to get change at the front desk, specify lots of 100s. Those 100s run through my fingers like crazy everyday, as I use them the most. (maybe moreso as a single buying one drink, etc.) But with tipping housekeeping everyday, short taxi rides, etc., they go fast!
nothing is free..very good..
I would make sure to have trip insurance that can medevac you out if you have medial/health issue...its a 3rd world with 3rd world medical facilities and responders..thats the fact..
I would also have the number of private ambulance to get you to airport -medical facility..Yes, Negril has ambulance...but cant count on it always to be available..Have the number of the embassies from where you come from -in case of emergency or lost passport,etc...and some extra cash set aside for emergencies-many do not take credit cards, etc..cash only..
Not trying to scare anyone-just the facts as it would be for other islands, countries not on same standards as US,etc..
have a copy of passport with info where you staying to be on you at all times...put passport in safe place,..same goes for credit card info,etc...
always good to only use recommendations from trusted sources...not total strangers..
get out of the hotel and wander and discover....theres alot going on outside of the hotel walls..
pack light...if you forget something-chances are you can find it in negril at hi-lo,etc..
live in the moment and enjoy yourself..let all your senses takeover (ie put down that smartphone/computer away ) listen, look, hear, taste, feel..some freedom from the matrix...
" Ones destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." (Henry Miller)
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