Jamaica Tours, Guides and Vacations

Finding vacation beach rentals or just simply a room in Negril is easy enough but finding a cool spot to chill by the beach at an affordable rate year round is a trick unless of course you know Joseph at Westport Cottages right on Norman Manley Blvd. If you know about his international hostel and affordable beach accommodations just across the street from Negril Beach then you know where to go for one of the best values in an inexpensive room in Negril.

Budget travelers from around the world call Westport home during their stay in Jamaica and many have returned annually for many years. Some are simple backpackers looking for a cheap room near the beach for the night but many others are long term guests visiting Jamaica and the Negril area for a month or more. Still others are simply budget conscious vacationers looking for quick easy access the the world famous 7 Mile Negril Beach with it’s pristine white sand , crystal blue seas and year round sunshine.

No matter where they are from I have met some of the most interesting people while staying at Westport Cottages and it seems something about the place attracts an eclectic if not fun crowd of guests to get to know. The place is quiet and clean with daily room preps from none other than “Sista” the head of housekeeping and grounds care. She’s a kind honest woman who makes sure you sleep on clean sheets and a well kept room.

The rooms are rather basic and just what you need if you plan on spending most of your time actually visiting Negril and the beach. If you looking for a plush air conditioned place with tv and lots of other stuff then look elsewhere. If you are looking for an inexpensive beach rental nearby Negril Beach with a laid back and super cool atmosphere then call Joseph at Westport Cottages or use the Contact Us page for more details on where to stay in Negril Beach.

Rooms for rent in Negril Beach at Westport Cottages

Shared kitchen area at Westport Cottages

Two people stand in the YS Falls at the Tallest Zip Line Ride

Close up view of YS Falls Zip Lines Tour Guide

Zip Line Rider screaming over the YS River extreme adventure zip lines

Wide view of the YS Falls river gorge where you go for fast Zip Line Rides

Are ready for an extreme vacation in Jamaica? Would you like to take a zip line tour in Negril to YS Falls and enjoy the rush of flying over the roaring river from 100 feet above the gorge? It’s a pure rush and a must do for any adrenaline junkies out there who look for something more out of an adventure vacation.

The day starts from Negril with a ride down the south coast of Jamaica for a relaxing and scenic drive through primarily undeveloped territory along the coastline facing the Caribbean Sea. This trip comes with many different options and can begin with a stop at the Black River Safari where you will take a boat ride down the historic river to experience the wonderful Jamaican wildlife including the Jamaican crocodile and many different endemic bird species. The boat safari takes between one to two hours and takes you through the scenic wetlands where you will feed the crocodiles and even take a dip in the water if you wish to. Don’t worry it’s very safe and you actually swim in a part of the river where you rarely find crocodiles. So we have been told.

After our tour of the Black River we will head over to the YS Falls passing through Middle Quarters and the fishing village of Scotts Cove where we can stop to sample the many wonderful delicacies served by the local Jamaicans in their roadside stands. Fried fish and bammy is a popular Jamaican meal or you can sample the conch soup, fresh vegetables and other local treats being offered in roadside marketplace with as much flavor as your spciy food. Middle Quarters is a low land area where you will find roadside vendors offering pepper shrimp caught in the local wetlands. The shrimp are actually more like a crayfish and a delicious treat when boiled in the flavorful Jamaican spices.

Once we were each YS Falls it is time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding tropical rainforest and the lush Jamaican jungle where you can enjoy the large lawns of rich green grass for a picnic or jump right into the activities and climbed the staircase to the top of the river where you can see some of the most magnificent waterfalls in all of Jamaica. YS Falls is a spectacular property with many wonderful views and waterfalls which are of course the highlight of this expansive piece of land. The waterfalls are actually located on the YS Farm and horse stable which is a renowned breeder of thoroughbred racing horses used at the racetrack in Kingston or also exported around the world.

At the top of the waterfall you will reach a platform where the zip line tours begin. After some instruction by the certified support professional you will suit up in your harness and drop into the first of three zip line adventure’s. Your ride will have you zigzag across the river as you travel down their gorge flying high above the river and your friends below. It is an exhilarating ride and lasts quite a long time when you are screaming from the mad rush of adrenaline and fear that almost every rider faces.

For those less adventurous you can enjoy a swim in the river or simply walk back down the river trail on a safe and stable wooden walkway that runs the full length of the riverwalk. Zip Line rides at YS Falls are $35 each with group rates and multiple ride discounts available. You can also count on one of the tour guides asking for a tip and if you feel he was worth it than $5 goes a long way in Jamaica. If you are ready to book a zip line tour reservation with the coolest tour guides in Negril by checking out the contact us page listed above.

Since I started offering vacation planning and tour guides servcies here in Jamaica I have been asked a zillion times how hard it is to rent a car in Jamaica and tour the island by yourself. I have different answers for different people.

For most people traveling to Jamaica I tell them right away that driving in Jamaica is a different thing than driving anywhere else you have been. It’s not the fact they drive on the other side of the road, its not even that so many drivers speed but the fact the road conditions in Jamaica are simply horrendous and individuals accustomed to driving in the developed world may find it harder to get around in a country with few street signs and roadside assistance available for inexperienced drivers or tourists.

I have witnessed a number of incidents that could have been avoided with the help of a qualified tour guide in Jamaica and the following story is the perfect example. A group of Canadian tourists came to Kingston Jamaica in a rented van and took a wrong turn and they ended up having shots fired at them for entering the wrong neighborhood.

Now you may say that this could have happened to anyone but I disagree. I personally have been to all parts of Jamaica including the worst ghettos in downtown Kingston and have never had an issue similar. There is a way to travel in Jamaica and there is away not to travel. If you are obviously not from Jamaica and having trouble finding your way in certain areas you become an instant mark and endanger yourself and your passengers in doing so.

if you plan on traveling around Jamaica and do not have any experience in dealing with Jamaicans outside of the resort towns then you should hire a tour guide or driver and listen to them. Jamaica is a beautiful place full of ugly things and taking the time and spending the money to hire a professional Jamaican tour guide will help ensure you have a great Jamaican vacation without the drama and excitement this group tour experienced.

Canadian tourists shot at on Jamaican vacation

The group, who were reportedly from Quebec, were on a self-planned excursion when they heard three shots, which also damaged the van’s windshield.

It was a beautiful start to the best time of year here in Jamaica. Spring Break 2009 was a success and Negril Beach was simply packed with college students and tourists from all over the world but especially the American schools.

Spring Break is always a big party in Negril but this year it seems everyone had a little extra fun. I don’t know if it was the extra heat or the reality of the global economic crisis that had everyone in a party mood but Negril was hot like fire each and every day. Maybe we all just needed a good time and it was easy to do here in Negril Jamaica.

The Spring Break travel services such as StudentCity.com and STSTravel.com brought down plane loads of college kids from all over America on spring break vacations and they drank themselves silly at The Jungle or Margaritaville just about every night. It looks like Monday Madness at The Jungle was voted best Spring Break Party for 2009 and the action was hot and heavy for every week in March.

If you are looking for the Spring Break parties in Jamaica then head over to Negril Beach each and every March for some fun in the Jamaica sun!

Spring Break Negril Pictures

Margaritaville Negril Beach Spring Break 2009

Spring Break girls having fun

Spring Break girls having fun on stage

Appleton Rum Party Spring Break

Drinking Grey Goose on Spring Break in Negril

Spring Break Negril Videos

Long Bay Beach sits just on the outskirts of Negril Jamaica and is known to locals as the best beach in Jamaica. The infamous 7 mile Negril Beach is by far the most popular beach in Negril but Long Bay is the locals favorite play place. It’s also one of the least used beaches during the work week and you can almost have the place to yourself on most weekdays. It’s so nice to have such a huge chunk of beach all to yourself with no worries about being cramped next to a dozen loud people or under some sound system as you may find on the main Negril beach.

Long Bay Beach is known to all as one of the more quiet and least crowded beaches and the facilities on site make it a favorite with locals and the few tourists who find out about it from them. Long Bay Beach is a pay facility and swimming here will set you back $150JA per person or less than $2US but the price is nothing when you compare the amenities and extra things you will find at Long Bay.

Forget the hustlers and higglers of Negril Beach because you won’t find any at Long Bay. What you will find are some of the best views and most relaxing places to worship the Sun God RA. More than half the times I have been I’m there all by myself but on the weekends you’ll find at the most a couple dozen people laid out praying to their own sun god.

The scuba diving and snorkeling from Long Bay Beach are amazing and you can find some great coral heads and rock formations just offshore from this public access beach. The near shore snorkeling is great and you can find all sorts of wildlife just a few feet from shore with a mask and snorkel. Always use the buddy system if you go diving in Jamaica.

A trip to Long Bay Beach for some sun and snorkeling are a great way to spend the perfect day in Negril Jamaica.