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

[Melody]

For a newbie only staying 4 nights, I'd suggest using the cambio in front of Bourbon Beach unless you were going to HiLo anyway (it's a little walk past the roundabout and that all can be a tad overwhelming the first time or two) From Country Country, I've walked to Bourbon Beach along the beach, stopped at the cambio in front along the street, and across to Time Square and then usually hop a route taxi back. Shamrock store is on the way back towards Treehouse on the same side of the road as Time Square, so if you need anything stop in there and then grab a taxi if you like. This is easily doable and takes care of a lot of business while still getting in a nice beach walk and not having to navigate "downtown" if you'd rather not. The ATM at Time Square is a Scotiabank. I opened an account before my last trip and used it with no extra international fees.

I hope you've printed the Negril map to look over and take along. It is a life saver the first time so that all these names/places and their locations can fall into place. http://www.maherconsulting.com/negri...Map11-2-11.pdf

Re: $ for the pub crawl, he stops at 6 or 7 places. Drinks are $3-$6 each ($6 for a fabulous dirty banana at Xtabi). When I went, they had pizza by the slice for sale at Bella Donna's at the end, $2 a slice, I believe. Then don't forget your tip $ for Lenbert.

Re: JMD, just roughly think of $100j being equal to just over $1 (about $1.12). So if something is $500j, you're paying under $6; $1000j, under $12, etc. works well for me rather than actually calculating. I've got an iPhone app that converts currency. I don't carry my iPhone around with me there, but after playing around with it, it's helped me get the idea.

Have fun, it'll be great!

[irieworld]

A lot of your questions have already been answered. Definitely have dinner at a cliffs spot one night and plan to get there before sunset--most will send a driver to pick you up. As far as patties, I love Niahs, it is in Wavz park which is an easy walk--plus there are carvers, painters, etc that have booths there if you want to check out some crafts. There is a jerk pork guy you can flag down on the beach, patties as well. Try soursop juice from a juice vendor, and orange is always good. Almost all of the mini marts and big stores sell rum and rum cream. There isn't a huge difference in price so since you are there for such a short time, I would go for what is close to you. For jerk chicken, I like Best in the West and love Bourbon Beach --but any barrel guy is usually a good bet. Ask the staff at the place you are staying--they can direct you. Again since you are staying for such a short time, you may want to take Captain's advice and get a personal driver. I never get cabs through the place I am staying as my first trip to Negril I was seriously overcharged when I did that. I take route taxis, but for convenience you might just want a driver you can call that you know is fair. Especially for when you are going out at night. Have a great trip and if, after you have gone through the many responses you get here and still have Qs, post them. This board is great resource.

[yetta]

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.

[Bob-n-Sandra]

Is the Red Dragon the same place as Raggabone? Because you said the best jerk pork I am assuming so.

[Irie John]

Is the Red Dragon the same place as Raggabone? Because you said the best jerk pork I am assuming so.

Yes, Red Dragon is owned by Raggabones.

[gailnegril]

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.

Check out our nightly Diiner Specials from Chef Donna, Chef Davis or Chef Perlina


Can anyone recommend good restaurants or spots along the beach, specifically those that have jerk chicken and seafood?

Jerk ?? Served daily by our Movie Star Chef Allan- I eat it almost daily myself


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?

Please tip Henry the driver from Seastar or One Love Bus Crawl !!

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?

Yes Capt Quality does Parasailing

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?


Take small US $$ - we also change US at the front desk


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?

Your choice - drivers on property that have been there for years Trevor, Norris, Clive and Richard
Professional guys


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

THANKS!

You are most welcome
Gail Jackson
I live on property so don't miss our weekly complimentary cocktail party on Saturday

[jcjcnj]

We did out first non-AI last Jan. Had to miss our winter trip this year. We had a fabulous time. Kuyaba was a wonderful place for dinner. Ivan's even better. We loved Xtabi, as well. Niah's patties were fab. Best in the West was great, but the bar is uncomfortable. Get it to go. We bought liquor at the duty free at the airport before we left and did the hi-lo. Next time we will stop on our way, rather than take time out of our trip. We did not do the bus, but next time it will be a must. We used dollars. We love Negril. It is a great beach locale. The cliffs are great, too.

[saeyedoc]

We found Kuyaba good, but very touristy and expensive. The portions were huge though, I got the lobster thermador and could barely dent it, made for a good lunch the next day. We prefer smaller, low-key places like Cosmo's, Rainbow Arch. Chill Awhile is good and has fairly quick service. Favorites are more on the cliff side, like Canoe, LTU, 3 Dives, Eddie's DeBar.
For lunch, we enjoy Niah's patties, Jerk pork from Dean (walks the beach), beach pattie guy, fish and chips from Alfred's, Rainbow Arch.
It helps to have Jamaican dollars, otherwise most will just round up.
We stop at Mega Mart on the way in to stock up on supplies, usually had the girls at Nirvana cook us breakfast, we're usually not up for an hour wait that time of day.
Make sure you don't go out to eat too hungry, most places prep and cook everything to order, avg wait time about an hour, more at 3 Dives, but worth it.
Rum punches are usually strong and good bang for the buck. At most places, two gets you pretty wasted.
Food is not too expensive, as long as you stay away from lobster. Unfortunately, my wife and girls love lobster, so meals got expensive, but delicious.

[kylake]

Here is a picture of Tony the juice guy that walks the beach each morning


Here is a picture of Norman the pattie guy with a bike and he also walks the beach but sometimes would sell out before he got to CoCo

[beachpearl]

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.

I will have to remember that.
Thanks