Ideas for trip to Negril in February
Jan 16th, 2008, 01:34 PM
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Ideas for trip to Negril in February
I am spending a week in Negril with my two daughters, 24 and 17 yrs, in mid-February and am looking for recommendations for:
- what types of handicrafts and art is done locally and where is the best place to buy it?
- where are some special places to eat local cuisine, especially seafood and vegetarian?
- what are the best day trips to see local people and places, nature, relax in or on the water, etc. I have a bum knee - walking and hiking is okay, climbing lots is not. We live on a farm in Canada so would love to see a Jamaican farm if we would be close to any.
- best places to listen to local live music
Any advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks!
- what types of handicrafts and art is done locally and where is the best place to buy it?
- where are some special places to eat local cuisine, especially seafood and vegetarian?
- what are the best day trips to see local people and places, nature, relax in or on the water, etc. I have a bum knee - walking and hiking is okay, climbing lots is not. We live on a farm in Canada so would love to see a Jamaican farm if we would be close to any.
- best places to listen to local live music
Any advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks!
Jan 17th, 2008, 04:40 AM
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Everything you want is right there. Just inquire at your hotel. Negril is on 7Mile Beach; one of the most beautiful beaches in the caribbean. ...You can hire a driver for the day to most places you want to go.
Make sure you go to Rick's Cafe to watch the cliff divers. The food is pretty good. They boast about their lobster........Arts and crafts are abundant.
FYI;; Topless sunbathing is allowed.So don't be shocked.
Make sure you go to Rick's Cafe to watch the cliff divers. The food is pretty good. They boast about their lobster........Arts and crafts are abundant.
FYI;; Topless sunbathing is allowed.So don't be shocked.
Jan 17th, 2008, 05:22 AM
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Hire a taxi and have them take you to the craft market. The locals were great and non-intrusive while we walked around. We purchased a pictures frame and a painting. They had the typical tourist souvinors, but also other things like wood carvings.
We did the Black River and Appleton Rum tour. Also went to Mayfield and the YS Falls. I think the Mayfield falls will require more walking and climing over rocks than YS Falls. Most organized tours will include lunch from a local establishment. Your hotel should have a tour desk of available tours or try using google for companies that offer tours.
We also went to Rick's Cafe. Yes, the lobster on the roof top restaurant was very good. We tried Margaritaville just to say we've been there and the food was pretty bad.
There are lots of Negril fans on this board that can offer recommendations for local drivers and restaurants. Hopefully, they will chime in.
We did the Black River and Appleton Rum tour. Also went to Mayfield and the YS Falls. I think the Mayfield falls will require more walking and climing over rocks than YS Falls. Most organized tours will include lunch from a local establishment. Your hotel should have a tour desk of available tours or try using google for companies that offer tours.
We also went to Rick's Cafe. Yes, the lobster on the roof top restaurant was very good. We tried Margaritaville just to say we've been there and the food was pretty bad.
There are lots of Negril fans on this board that can offer recommendations for local drivers and restaurants. Hopefully, they will chime in.
Jan 17th, 2008, 05:10 PM
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I'm no expert, but I thought more would reply. I agree with KVR about getting a taxi to the craft market. I think Jamaica has really nice wood carvings. We always look for them when we travel and buy one or two and I have to say the ones I got in Jamaica are the nicest and most detailed. We happen to like the carved fish and I'm acquiring quite a school of them. I also found a really cool "ray" carving the last trip.
I would check out 3 Dives on the cliffs for reasonable and delicious lobster and jerk chicken. Great sunsets. Bring bugspray. I recommend Norma's on the beach for a nicer dinner. Not one of our favorites, but many like Best in the West for Jerk Chicken right across from CoCo LaPalm, not on the beach. We tried it once and I definitely would give it another chance. Caribbeansoul from this board adores the place. I agree the food was pretty mediocre and expensive at Margarittaville. Last but not least, if you want authentic and absolutely delicious food, watch for "The Patty Man" on the beach. He rides his bike and if I remember correctly, it has a basket and a cooler on it. Anyway, you get the picture. In 2005, they were $1 for one. Quite the bargain. I do remember them being spicy, but we love spicy food. Great to munch on for a snack on the beach.
I would check out 3 Dives on the cliffs for reasonable and delicious lobster and jerk chicken. Great sunsets. Bring bugspray. I recommend Norma's on the beach for a nicer dinner. Not one of our favorites, but many like Best in the West for Jerk Chicken right across from CoCo LaPalm, not on the beach. We tried it once and I definitely would give it another chance. Caribbeansoul from this board adores the place. I agree the food was pretty mediocre and expensive at Margarittaville. Last but not least, if you want authentic and absolutely delicious food, watch for "The Patty Man" on the beach. He rides his bike and if I remember correctly, it has a basket and a cooler on it. Anyway, you get the picture. In 2005, they were $1 for one. Quite the bargain. I do remember them being spicy, but we love spicy food. Great to munch on for a snack on the beach.
Jan 19th, 2008, 06:39 PM
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Try the negril.com message board, a lady posts there who has a farm in the Negril area, Debbie D.
We took an excursion to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, (google it and you will see all about it) about 1 hour from Negril by taxi, through the mountains/countryside.The sanctuary was great, hummingbirds drink nectar from little bottles you hold and little finches will eat out of your hand! The drive there was just as wonderful, the sugar cane fields, with donkeys pulling carts of cane, mountain streams, Jamaican children getting out of school!
Favorite restaurants for me- Norma's, Country Country, Idle Awhile, Kuyabo, Rockhouse. More for locals food-Bourbon Beach, Cosmos, Niah's Patties, my mouth is watering just thinking of it all. If you imbibe, the beach side bars are fun too, having a rum punch or "dirty banana" while looking at the turquoise sea! If you are staying on the beach you can walk to most of these places, some of the larger more touristy restaurants will send a taxi for you or will provide one for you home!
Enjoy!
We took an excursion to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, (google it and you will see all about it) about 1 hour from Negril by taxi, through the mountains/countryside.The sanctuary was great, hummingbirds drink nectar from little bottles you hold and little finches will eat out of your hand! The drive there was just as wonderful, the sugar cane fields, with donkeys pulling carts of cane, mountain streams, Jamaican children getting out of school!
Favorite restaurants for me- Norma's, Country Country, Idle Awhile, Kuyabo, Rockhouse. More for locals food-Bourbon Beach, Cosmos, Niah's Patties, my mouth is watering just thinking of it all. If you imbibe, the beach side bars are fun too, having a rum punch or "dirty banana" while looking at the turquoise sea! If you are staying on the beach you can walk to most of these places, some of the larger more touristy restaurants will send a taxi for you or will provide one for you home!
Enjoy!
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Jan 20th, 2008, 10:36 AM
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Thanks, Patsy. I will check out the message board.
Caribbean Soul, we are staying at Negril Gardens. This is my first trip on my own with my kids, so I wanted a direct flight to Mo Bay, which I could only get with a package to an AI. So, I chose this one rather than the larger high end resorts so we wouldn't feel too guilty about wasting money to eat offsite once in a while.
Caribbean Soul, we are staying at Negril Gardens. This is my first trip on my own with my kids, so I wanted a direct flight to Mo Bay, which I could only get with a package to an AI. So, I chose this one rather than the larger high end resorts so we wouldn't feel too guilty about wasting money to eat offsite once in a while.
Jan 20th, 2008, 01:48 PM
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I think you'll be okay with Negril Gardens. You'll definitely want to get out and walk the beach, especially to the north. We like Alfred's for the best breakfast on the beach right next door to NG. You are really close to DeBuss (Bourbon Beach) which has great jerk chicken and pork. You are located right in the midst of the "nightlife" on Negril beach. Just follow your ears! Jamaica Tamboo is known for their lobster pizza which I highly recommend and is a very short walk from your hotel. There are so many options on the beach and the cliffs are a short taxi ride away adding to more options. 3 Dives is a great place for jerk lobster on the cliffs. Picture picnic table seating, outdoors....which can have a problematic mosquito issue. Negril is an ideal place to go non-AI as the options are endless for beverage/food/entertainment at reasonable prices. As Brenda indicates....don't miss the patty man (Norman) with his cardboard box of beef patties! Our favorite "new" place is the restaurant at Country Country on the beach. Have a great trip and let us know if you are looking for any more spefic information.
Jan 30th, 2008, 06:38 PM
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Thank you for your suggestions, Carribbean Soul. We are in the midst of a Canadian blizzard (- 37 Celsius,-51 with the windchill)so we are REALLY looking forward to escaping to the beach!
