Tours from Negril--suggestions needed

**Nan** · November 8th, 2010, 07:25 AM

For our 3rd trip to CSA, we are thinking we might actually leave the resort and do some touring for a day. Believe me, it's hard to leave CSA once you are there! We'd love some recommendations for tour guides and itineraries. We are interested in local culture and food, nature, and history. We'd really like a knowledgeable guide and a smaller tour--no coach buses. But we do want to make sure we will both be safe and feel safe while off the resort. Thanks!

**pynk322** · November 8th, 2010, 01:08 PM

I'm also interested in hearing about tours, specifically if anyone has done the ATV tour or the safari tour. We're headed in CN in January. It is our third year and thought it was time to see a little of the countryside. Mostly interested in 1/2 day excursions. Thanks.

**dank120** · November 8th, 2010, 08:00 PM

Try the Black River Safari/YS Falls/Appleton Estate tour. We took it from CN 3 yrs ago. It was only $95/pp and totally worth it. You travel along the southern coast thru a few towns to the town of Black River. First is the river safari, which is pretty cool, and you eat lunch at a local cafe right there. Then you travel into the hills to YS Falls, which is absolutely beautiful, and finally to Appleton Estate, the rum distillery. You get to see a wide variety of the Jamaican countryside, far away from all the hotels and mega-resorts, but you are only in the van for maybe a total of 4 hours all day. I've heard that the Dunn's tour is about 3-4 hours one way and is NOT worth the long drive from Negril. I've been told to save that tour for an Ocho Rios trip.

If you just want some killer Jamaican food off-site, but close to CSA, you have to try Cosmo's. We went there with 3 or 4 other couples and had a blast. Plus, the food is AWESOME. I had the national dish, curried goat, even though the others shied away, and it was incredible. They also have a great selection of fresh seafood and many other Jamaican dishes. It is only a 5 min ride south of CN, so it should only be about 3 mins north of CSA.

**Nan** · November 9th, 2010, 08:03 AM

Thanks, dank120! It sounds like a great itinerary. A few questions... Who did you book that your with? How many people were on the van with you? Was there a driver and a separate tour guide? Did they share information during the drive or just drop you at the tour sites? Do you remember about what time the pick-up and drop-off were? Finally, did you feel safe the entire time you were off the resort? And Cosmos sounds awesome! We'll definitely try it.

**randi&sherri** · November 9th, 2010, 09:08 AM

Mayfield falls is awesome and its just outside savlamar about 40 minutes away. I suggest hiring a taxi so you get there before everyone else dont book thru the resort it so cheap as you just walk up!

**ken&gina5** · November 9th, 2010, 03:11 PM

We had an excellent guide last time we were there in 2009. Very personal and the price was right. Due to forum rules we won't give their name, but you are welcome to email us for the info. We have recommended them to several people. No one was dissappointed. kengina5@yahoo.com

**dank120** · November 10th, 2010, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Nan

Thanks, dank120! It sounds like a great itinerary. A few questions... Who did you book that your with? How many people were on the van with you? Was there a driver and a separate tour guide? Did they share information during the drive or just drop you at the tour sites? Do you remember about what time the pick-up and drop-off were? Finally, did you feel safe the entire time you were off the resort? And Cosmos sounds awesome! We'll definitely try it.

We booked right thru the tour desk at Couples. I believe there were about 5 or 6 of us, plus the tour guide, plus the driver. The van wasn't super comfy, but it was worth it. They picked us up in the morning right at the lobby, maybe around 8a or 9a, and dropped us off mid-late afternoon. The tour guide was very cool and informative. In fact, I was constantly asking questions during the van rides and she was very knowledgable. You can use her for guidance as much or as little as you want. It's fairly informal. My wife and I love BSing with locals, so it's always fun to get away from the really touristy guides. You are absolutely safe the whole time. We didn't get harrassed at all. In fact, I think some of these areas are better, because they are away from the highly concentrated tourist hotspots. The locals are mostly really friendly people in the countryside.

**Nan** · November 12th, 2010, 06:28 AM

Ken&Gina,

Just wanted to check if you received my email re. getting info about your tour guide. I'll re-send it if you didn't.

Dank120--Thanks so much for the info! I small group in a van doesn't sound bad at all!

**ken&gina5** · November 12th, 2010, 07:39 AM

Nan; Didn't see an email. you might try again. kengina5@yahoo.com

**Nan** · November 12th, 2010, 06:29 PM

Ken & Gina,

Tried again this afternoon. Hope I'm not getting blocked by your spam filter, though. I promise I didn't put anything racy in the subject line :-).

**Nan** · November 13th, 2010, 07:05 AM

Kena nd Gina--

You are the best!!!

Thank you!

**aceswild** · November 13th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Randi & Sherri -

I'm curious to know how much the Mayfield Falls trip is if you do not book through the resort? Do you know? We were at Couples last week and went to Mayfield Falls. We LOVED the excursion and would do it again - but thought it was pricey (we booked through the resort). Our driver picked up another couple on the way there and we found out they paid $30 less per person... also, how much would the taxi ride cost?

Thanks!!

**randi&sherri** · November 15th, 2010, 10:13 AM

aceswild

The cost for Mayfiled Falls is only 15 per person US. Everywhere we go we just hire our favorite driver and go. All the "tours" they sell are cheaper when you go on your own and its better as you get there before all other resort buses etc.. We end up getting the tours by ourselves.

Typically we hire a driver for the entire day around 75us picks up at 8am and will drop you off whenver we are finished for the day. Taxis are cheap in jamaica. For instance we pay 5 dollars to get to ricks cafe for two people. that way we dont go in a big bus with everyone we can stop of at the pushcart or choices for a drink or two on the way back and really enjoy the JAMAICAN people.

Thanks

**ken&gina5** · November 16th, 2010, 07:35 AM

Aceswild: Several months before our trip we researched with many from the MB, as well as online sites. This can be very helpful in finding a great, as well as a fair priced guide. Booking through the resort may be more convenient, but a little homework on your own can save you some $.

**Meems** · November 16th, 2010, 09:46 AM

Ken & Gina -
Will you please email me the name of the driver you used? My husband and I will be at CSA on Dec. 10th and will be going to YS Falls.
Thanks!
Gail
grj143@hotmail.com

**AsTheCrowsFly** · November 16th, 2010, 11:30 AM

If you like lighthouses (and don't want to be gone from the resort for too long), there's a nice lighthouse on the western point of Negril.

We just went to the tour desk and asked for a taxi driver to take us to the lighthouse. She said it would cost $35 for the two us of. Our driver showed up in a huge air conditioned van and he was great. He took us over the mountain road to the lighthouse so that we could see a little more of the island.

If the lighthouse keeper (Mr. Johnson) is there, he will give you a tour of the lighthouse and you can even climb to the top. Unfortunately, Mr. Johnson wasn't around when we got there but another man showed us around the grounds. Our driver stayed with us the whole time and then drove us back to the resort. It took about an hour and a half.

The driver's name is Norman. We met another couple at CSA who wanted to see the lighthouse so they asked for Norman too. He was good driver and guide - very calm and polite.

**thebmann** · November 16th, 2010, 12:21 PM

I echo Dank's suggestion. We went on the same tour and it was one of the best excursions I've ever been on, and have been to many different islands and tours.