Jamaica - Negril vs. Montego Bay (hotel, hotels, airport, best)
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Ok, so i'm planning on doing my 4th all inclusive (Punta Cana, Cancun, Puerto Vallarata previously) in Jamaica this August. I used to hear that Montego Bay was the place to go but then i got a few people telling me it was Negril......so.. opinions.....
Negril....Definately!!.....Negril is more laid back...It is divided between cliff side and beach side...my husband and I love both so we hit the beach for the 1st half of the vaca and then move to the more quiet seclusion of the cliffs for the latter half of the trip. The beach is so much more beautiful in Negril (7 miles of it) than in Montego. We stay at The Grand Pineapple on the beach...all inclusive...then Xtabi on the cliffs where we explore all of our eating options including Xtabi. They have a diver at night that will take you diving for lobster and then give it to the chef to prepare for your dinner. Incredible experience! Enjoy!
If all you're planning to do is stay at an AI and not leave the site, it shouldn't make a difference. Just find the hotel with the best rooms/food/rates and go with that. Plus consider that Negril requires a 1-2 hour transfer from the MoBay airport.
Now, if you're planning to go off the resort site, I'd say Negril. cisco gave some good info on the cliffs (West End Rd. area) vs. 7-mile beach.
Seems like there's a really cool vibe in Negril that you might miss out on by staying in an AI there. But, I guess that's my opinion of AI's in general. Just wanna point out that you can probably stay in a non-AI place which includes breakfast in the rates, then eat lunch/dinner out and probably still come ahead vs. rates at an AI. Plus, you'll get more Jamaican culture thrown in, too!
No matter what you choose, enjoy it. Evry ting irie mon.
I probably have the same opinion on AI's as you do....However there are great options in Negril that are more mom & pop (although Grand Pineapple is a Sandels affiliate it doesn't have that ostentatious feel to it ...We got a killer deal that's why we nabbed it and we weren't disappointed!)) There are alot of hotels in Negril that now offer menu + alcohol plans that can save you a whole bunch of $$. The grand Pineapple is not on a private beach so there is lots of great people watching. We have been to Jamaica 5 times and I am with you on not closing yourself in behind gates. The Jamaican spirit and culture are as much of why we return as the beauty itself! I can reccomend a private driver for you also. Way better than waiting on the hotel shuttle!
Ok, so i'm planning on doing my 4th all inclusive (Punta Cana, Cancun, Puerto Vallarata previously) in Jamaica this August. I used to hear that Montego Bay was the place to go but then i got a few people telling me it was Negril......so.. opinions.....
G Rizzle
Montego Bay is definately not the place to go and never has been. Manmade beaches instead of the famous 7 mile beach in Negril.
If you are open to other places Port Antonio is also a great spot.
I would also recommend considering not doing an AI. There are so many great restaurants and smaller hotels along the beach. If you want to be stuck on your AI resort the whole time do Montego Bay but if you do negril stay at a smaller hotel, go try different restaurants, explore the town, etc.
When I do AI I tend to not wnat to go toher places since I already paid for my food and drinks. There's too much good places to eat in Negril to be stuck eating buffets at your AI.
Theres a great blog with travel advice at Jamaica Blog you should also check out trip advisor for hotel reveiws and other travel tips.
If you're looking to do a day trip go to YS Falls. I'd also recommend driving down to Negril for a day, totally different vibe than montego bay and the cliffs are cool to see as well. The drive is like an hour and a half or so but it's all along the coast and very scenic so not a bad ride.
Bring back some coffee and some sangsters rum cream, very good.
If you're looking to do a day trip go to YS Falls. I'd also recommend driving down to Negril for a day, totally different vibe than montego bay and the cliffs are cool to see as well. The drive is like an hour and a half or so but it's all along the coast and very scenic so not a bad ride.
Bring back some coffee and some sangsters rum cream, very good.
Thanks for the recommendations. Tell me about YS Falls if you dont mind.
So is it safe for two gringos to drive to Negril? Id definately like to do that if its advisable.
Thanks for the recommendations. Tell me about YS Falls if you dont mind.
So is it safe for two gringos to drive to Negril? Id definately like to do that if its advisable.
G Man
YS Falls, it's a waterfall you climb up. I'ts a lot of fun, the water is crystal clear and really cool which is nice on a hot day. I believe there's also a zip line on the proprty as well, if not on the property not far.
I personally prefer Mayfield Falls to YS but Mayfield is closer to Negril and the roads have gotten so bad I think alot of drivers wont take you there anmore.
As for two guys driving, not going to it's unsafe but people drive kinda crazy in Jamaica, lots of honking, lots of passing, fast speeds. Some roads are not in the best condition and they drive on the opposite side of the car and roads from us. Like I said, not going to it's unsafe but keep that in mind and think about how comfortable you'd be with that.
Personally I'd just hire a private driver, very cheap, they'll take you everywhere you wanna go and dont have to worry about directions or driving.
I'll post some pics of YS later for you to see. You can also read more about it on trip advisor tons of posts about YS
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negril
