1

You might manage Negril & TB but forget Ochi. Too much in too short a time and Ochi is the one to scratch here. (I hope that week is a week plus your travel days.)
Now go check past posts about Negril & TB and travel between the two.

2

I've only been to Negril but I've been several times and stayed at an all inclusive. Normally I don't stay at all inclusives when I travel but I have a relationship with a hotel in Negril that makes staying there very attractive. Bloody bay is beautiful and it's shared by resorts as well as the public. Walking on that beach you can find families, locals, nightlife and jerk lobster huts, tourist junk, etc. but it still has an element of danger. I was threatened by a zooted Jamaican man right in front of my friend, my husband with a lot of locals and tourists around.

In my experience Jamaica isn't a safe country for touring on your own, however, if you're with an outfitter or if you've found a local whom you trust to take you around those are good options. Last December we befriended a local that comes up to the beach in a boat offering fishing trips, tourist rides, ganja, etc. After several conversations we found him to be authentic and took him up on his offer for an island tour around his village of Green Island. It was a leap of faith, I suppose, but the trip was fantastic and an incredible insight to island life and just how hard it is to get by. And the jerk chicken he took us to - Mr. Big's - was the best I've ever had in my life. If you end up in Negril and end up in a taxi ask them to take you to Mr. Big's. It's well known. Travel safe.

3

Good info but disagree with the idea that one can't tour alone. I've done it as have many others. Depends on the individual's attitudes, experiences and travel-smarts.

4

Certainly it can be done, but it would be irresponsible to suggest that it's safe.

5

So you're saying that unless you travel with a tour guide-- organized or a local guy you met -- travel in JA is unsafe and it's irresponsible of me to suggest otherwise?

6

Ok, no response so I'll reiterate. It IS safe for visitors, together or singely, male or female, to travel around Jamaica without a guide or tour group. You do need to have some travel smarts and some travel experience, a sense of humour and self-confidence. With these you can take public transportation, stay in small guest houses, eat in local restaurants and cook-shops.

Read the relevant past posts on TT and note the restrictions and reservations-- red-plates only; try not to travel at night; avoid getting drunk and/or high in public locations, etc. etc.
And feel free to PM me if it helps.

7

Thanks a lot for your suggestions guys. I'm originally from southamerica, so my concept of "safety" is a little bit distorted :)
Now I'm torn between TB or Negril, but I'll do a little bit more of research and decide for one of them. I'll leave the other for a second trip.

Thanks again!