April 3rd-7th Honeymoon

[paradise9dread]

Getting married on the 2nd, then heading south for the ?spring? Never been to the Caribbean before, but after reading through the posts here, seems like a no-brainer. Found round-trip airfare for about $600 total. Planning on about $50 a night for lodging, maybe a little more for A/C. From what you guys say, everything else is pretty much go-as-you-please. ECO recommended staying in the cliffs area, so I've been checking into some of those places. Still haven't made up my mind. I just can't wait to get down there, to walk on the beach, to swim in the water, to eat a fresh mango ripe off the (LOL do mangoes grow on trees or what?)
Thanks to everyone for their very informative and also entertaining posts. Maybe I'll see you there. Look for the guy with the perma-grin laying on the beach sipping on a fruity drink.

[Wahoo]

If your pals are planning to throw you a prenuptial bachelor party, you and the boys might want to head down to Negril a week early...just to check it out, you know. Hedo II would be a great choice for the bachelor party.

[ECO]

$50 a night at the tail end of the high season might be a little tough (high season/high prices ends April 15ish). Call the Xtabi and see what they can do with your budget if you pay in cash (everyone likes cash). If I'm not mistaken they have AC units in the rooms next to their pool. They also offer some of the best snorkel diving on the cliffs (reefs and such) plus their caves are cool to explore. Their food/drink prices SUCK but there are plenty of good cheap places to eat and drink within a 5-10 minute walk from them. Miyard (open 24/7) is a cool place to chill and Delroy the owner also rents room, e-mail him for prices or better yet call him. Sips & Bites, 3 Dives, and any of the Rasta roadside stands will also help with keeping your costs down.

The mango should be in season when you go along with dozens of other fruits that all taste great but some of them look weird-----TRY ALL OF THEM! Ask your hotel workers when the fruit/produce guy comes around or the workers might be willing to pick you some.

Almost forgot, The Samsara is on the cliffs next to the Xtabi and their sister resort is down on the beach. The offer free shuttles back and forth that will save you about $5.00 in route taxis/$15 in regular taxis or the 30 or so minute walk. Not sure if paying their higher prices will offset the free rides or not but they do have specials all over the internet.

For transfers from the airport to Negril check out http://www.clivestransportservicejamaica.com/ his "shared rides' are $20pp each way but generally you will be the only people on the bus.

[paradise9dread]

wahoo -- Ha, sounds fun, but with my friends, I'll be lucky if I get a bachelor party at all.

ECO -- Checked Xtabi out. Looks like a winner if we can get that cash discount you mentioned. Should have no problem keeping travel and lodging at or below $1000, which ain't too damn bad. And we are definitely interested in hitting the local food stands and such. I really like the idea of supporting the local economy and giving back to the people who live there.

[ECO]

You can try to e-mail Martin (think that's the owner's name) or better yet suck up the cost of an international call since he only checks his e-mails once in a blue moon. If you search around on-line you will see that they have the ocean front cottages and two different prices ranges for across the road. I thought they made all of the rooms across the street the same without TVs in the cheaper ones but confirm that with them. BTW, here's a review that I did for them 2 years ago: http://www.jamaicatravelforum.com/xtabi-negril-review

Also, if you are into eco-tourism check out this place in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica- http://bmcn.blogspirit.com/

[Nanoose]

Those are neat looking cottages nice colors and detail – looks like it is nice and private too. Cheers and happy week end!

[prateekguides]

Caribbean is a wonderful place. You will get many resorts and beaches. I hope for a best time for you.

Cheers!!!!

Congrats