AboutSienna Expertise I live on the west coast of the island, in the sugar cane valley of Westmoreland parish, just outside the beach resort town of Negril, and will be happy to assist with questions that would cover the areas of the west and southwest coasts....areas such as Negril, Whitehouse, Treasure Beach.
I can help withquestions pertaining to Jamaican culture, food, places of interest, your general hotel location in regards to activities or excursions in your area, whether you're in a villa, resort, or small independent hotel.
I am however, NOT a travel agent, and cannot be of help making reservations at any all-inclusive properties.
Experience I moved here from California nine years ago, to live here with my husband, a Jamaican....his home is now my 'adopted home.' Before moving here I visited Jamaica as often as possible, staying in tourist towns and remote 'bush country'.
We have a small micro-business, offering tours for people who wish to go "off property" and choose do so in a more personal atmophere, rather than on large tour buses with 30-50 others. We go to all of the customary tourist attraction spots, and also offer some destinations you will not find offered through the hotels or large tour companies.
We believe that the people of Jamaica, both adults and children, have much to offer visitors and we strive to involve members of any community we pass through so that you can interact with them directly. Our goal is to have you enjoy your outing..to have fun while learning something new.
Expert: Sienna Date: 6/8/2008 Subject: Peter Tosh Memorial
Question hello! a group of us will be coming to negril. we are interested in a day trip
to peter tosh memorial from negril. what is the travel time involved? can we
combine it with other excursions or sites to see? also, we are interested in
going to 9 mile straight from the airport when we arrive in montego bay on
saturday 6/21/08 and then traveling directly to negril. what do you think
about these ideas? also is wild thing the best sunset cruise in negril or do
you know of others? Irie!! thank you!
Answer Greetings from a "getting-ready-to-rain" afternoon on the island, Danelle!
Let me start with your arrival day first. What you're thinking of doing does make sense, as both the airport and 9Mile are on the north coast (though 9Mile is inland a ways more.)
IF you're coming in from Los Angeles, or any other spot where you land by or before 8am, this can work.
It usually takes one hour to clear Customs and Immigration and finding your luggage, especially if landing mid-day...and on the condition that everyone in your group processes through easily, no lost luggage, etc. Once you clear the airport doors, meet your driver, load up and start off...it will be a GOOD 3.5 hours after after your landing time before you're in the 9Mile area. The tour lasts about 45-60 minutes, and you'll have a 3.5 hour ride home, or a bit more, depending on how long you stop somewhere for lunch and how much traffic you hit around MoBay in the evening. Factor all of this into the amount of flight time you spent, how long it took you to get to the airport at home and wait for departure, how many hours total will have passed since you'd had a good night's sleep.....all of this needs to be evaluated to know whether this trip is in your best interest to do this way or wait until you're in Negril and have had time to relax, get used to the weather (which will rain on you for a good bit of the ride back from 9Mile by the way)...time to de-stress, and re-energize before taking on the journey. From Negril, leaving bright and early in the morning, the ride to 9Mile is 3-3.5 hours. Price would be no different either way, since a driver from Negril starts from there, goes to or past the airport, on to 9Mile, and returns to Negril.
The Peter Tosh Memorial is much closer...about an hour from Negril. Some people like to combine it with a stop at the Pelican Bar (have you heard about this unique spot...one mile off shore?) Some combine Peter Tosh with random stops here and there to sample local food snacks and tiny community "rum bars" for a cold drink. Some go for a swim in Blue Fields Bay. Some stop to pay their respects to Peter before heading on to YS Falls...it all depends on what you're looking for as far as length of day, expense, activity, etc.
The Wild Thing consistently gets good recommendations, and you can choose to head down the cliffs of Negril or the opposite direction to a semi-private lagoon (Half Moon Beach)...you can do the cruise with or without snorkeling, and I believe they also have a cruise that combines horseback riding at Rhodes Hall Plantation.
If you'd like to drop us a line and tell us a little more about your flight times, the number of people in your group, age/activity level, where you're staying...anything else that comes to mind....we will be happy to provide more details you might need to think about or other suggestions. There is no commitment to tour with us needed to get in touch....we share what we can, no matter the outcome, as we wish everyone here on holiday to have a super time and then go back home and share with others anything they've come to learn about, and love about the island (and Negril!)
