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Can anyone tell me the best and least expensive way to travel around Jamaica? We will be staying in Negril for a few days and then want to travel from there to Kingston for a day, then to Portland for a day or two and then back to Montego Bay for a couple of days before coming back home. Any recommendations?
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
i have no recommendation save the suggestion of ur looking thru the past pages and down yonder in the archives...this ? has been asked a lot of times and the answers r there...dat is one option
2nd, i am sure u will now get a ton of ansas if ongle cause i have now made this suggestion
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
Definitely spend <span style="font-weight: bold">more</span> than 1 or 2 days in Portland and <span style="font-weight: bold">less</span> than a couple of days in MoBay.....there's really not much to do in MoBay...I usually only stay there the nite before an early flight home...
the least expensive way to do this trip is by public bus, but if you have more than one piece of luggage, this can be quite challenging...
if you're comfortable renting a car and driving yourself, that's an option...
or you could just hire a private driver; either one to drive the whole way around the Island, or a separate driver for each leg....Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
This would all depend on if you are familiar with the island, or not. Although I know a few people that have gone on their first trip and rented a car and done some pretty extensive traveling, I don't know that I would recommend that in this day and age.
There is public transit, which might be risky if you are not a seasoned traveler to Jamaica. It is doable though, and I had a blast taking a route taxi from Alligator Pond to Mandeville and then on to Negril on my second trip. You could do your Montego Bay/Negril leg of your trip and then catch a mass transit to Kingston.
Route taxi would be the second cheapest way, other than by renting a scooter. Scooter is a great way to travel around if you can ride. I've done most of the western 2/3'rds of the island by scooter and have had some awesome adventures I doubt I would have had any other way. You would NOT want to drive the scooter to Kingston or Portland though! Not sure I would recommend this to a first time visitor.
Rent a car. Again, only if you are comfortable with driving on the left and apt at defensive driving. Personally, I would never go to Jamaica and NOT have my own wheels but that's me. The freedom cannot be understated. This also depends on if you are new to Jamaica or not. There is a certain element that might make you an easy target should it become known that you are touring alone and new.
If you are a brand new visitor to the island, my advice would be to hire a private tour guide Among the members here you can get reliable advice. Although this is not the most cost effective route, you cannot really put a price tag on your safety and if you have never visited the island before...doing it on your own can be risky business. Hire a guide and come home with wonderful memories.
I would recommend Sala, from Talk of the Town tours. Sala is a favorite among many here and elsewhere and not only is he an awesome tour guide, he will more than likely become your friend for life. Sala and his wife Sienna are known far and wide for their hosting abilities!
Talk of the TownComment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nanook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This would all depend on if you are familiar with the island, or not. </div></div>
I'm assuming that you're a first time visitor, and not at all familiar with the Island.
If you are somewhat adventerous, then I would difinately recommend renting a car as the first option. You don't have to be familiar with Jamaica to drive there. I rent cars in many unfamiliar countries all the time. However to do that you have to be ok with the fact that you will get lost (and found), you will need to stop and ask for directions, and you might have to alter your plans depending on how the driving goes. In exchange, you'll go where you want at your own pace, ca stop for pictures anytime you like, get to meet and interact with the people, and make the most out of your stay. I'd recommend Island Car Rentals, but there are other companies as well.
Not sure if you're traveling alone or with family. Traveling alone or as a couple public transport is the most economical way to travel. However you need to have minimal luggage, and while its very efficient between main points, it is not as efficiant going to small places. If you're on a tight time schedule, I'd go with the car.
Hiring a driver is probably the easiest and the most hassle free option. It is also the most expensive.
However, it will allow you to do less travel planning and more enjoying the ride.
As you can see there are many options, depending on your travel style and needs.
As evan suggested, the Jamaica Travel Archives offer a wealth of information.
For private drivers, I'm sure members here can make some recommendations if you ask.Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
Thanks for all the advice. We are a couple that are new to the island and we just would like to get out and see some of the island on our own. Our only concern about renting a car there is the steering wheel is on the right side of the car instead of the left. It doesn't bother us to drive on the left side of the road as we lived in the US Virgin Islands for a year and adapted very well to that. Do the car rental places have cars with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle?Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kyldy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the advice. We are a couple that are new to the island and we just would like to get out and see some of the island on our own. Our only concern about renting a car there is the steering wheel is on the right side of the car instead of the left. It doesn't bother us to drive on the left side of the road as we lived in the US Virgin Islands for a year and adapted very well to that. Do the car rental places have cars with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle?
</div></div>Jamaica is no Virgin Island It si more than a little larger,lie may be 10 times You could go to Mobay and take the Kingston to mibay express. That will take you to New Kingston in the middle of the hotel center.
Then from ther you can get a tour operator take you to Portland, then from portleand tback to Mobay But ther is a lot ot travelling involved.
It is not AS close as most people think.
jamaica is a little larger than the other Islands. you will be spending a lot of sight seing time on those trips. get your camera ready.Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
It's actually harder to drive a left hand drive car on the left. Remember the driver needs to be near the centre of the road (regardless what side we driving on) in order to see the oncoming traffic ahead when ready to pass, and the traffic that's passing them in the side mirror. It's less safe to drive the wrong car in the wrong country as your visibility is limited.Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
I'm aware that Jamaica is no Virgin Island. All I was saying is that I'm used to driving on the left side of the road but, not with a vehicle with the steering wheel on the left as well. It may be safer that way but, when you have been driving a certain way all your life, it is not that easy. I'm sure when people come to America for the first time it would be hard for them to just get off the plane, rent a car and then take off.Comment
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Re: Traveling Thru Jamaica
get a driver then. problem solved
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