Jamaica trip: Negril or Kingston?

Question

I want to hit up Jamaica on a trip with my husband. We are not too big on beach lounging, although it is something we will do. We like to go shopping, eat good food, drink, go to museums, listen to music...basically we like to do stuff, not just lounge on the beach.

Which city would be better for this? We have never been. Also, if there is another island in the Caribbean that would suit us better, I am up for suggestions!

Answer 1

kingston is has the highest murder rate in the western world, it has nice sections though new kingston/uptown areas they have very good restraunts/hotels and good places for shopping, if you stay away from downtown and the bad areas you should be fine but i dont suggest wandering around alone at night with no car, there are good dancehalls there as well and great music, but the crime rate is high in kingston however i have never had a problem in new kingston,

negril has diffrent problems tons of short changeing and pick pocketing happens there but usally no heavy crime,  but its a tourist trap if you leave the resorts which are tourist traps as well but again negril has its ups, i would say kingston is a good bet but mond you its a very urban enviroment negril is more rural than kingston it depends on what your looking for kingston is deeper in jamaican culture negril is a place to rip americans off, if you need more info or good connections in kingston let me know, but i would say both have there ups and downs it depnds on what your looking for

Answer 2

Jamaica is awesome. My husband I have been a few times and there is so much to do we have to keep going back to be able to finish and see everything. My husband even spent 8 hours in the tattoo chair in Ocho Rios. After visiting a few times we were told not to go to Kingston because it's not safe to get out and walk the streets. In Ocho Rios and Negril my husband and I went into town by ourselves and hit up Margartiville great shopping and Drinks. Plus, there all lots of tours you can take. Boose cruise to Dunn's River Falls, dolphin swimming, Horseback Riding on the Beach. ATV riding in the mountains....etc... Another place to try is Mexico.