Renting Car Montego Bay vs. Tour Guide/Taxi

[QTPieRye]

Our group of 4 will be on the Conquest the week of September 19th and in Montego Bay on September 22nd. We would like to visit Rose Hall, Appleton's Estate, Margaritaville and Sunset Beach. We are contemplating renting a car vs. paying a tour guide. We've found several rental car rates of approx. $50 / day with taxes, insurance, etc.

 

Has anyone rented a car before to visit these places? Is there a rental car company close to the cruise port? Are these four stops manageable in 1 day? What is the estimated cost of a taxi/tour guide to take us to these places? Will the taxi wait outside for us do tour, and is his meter running?

 

I feel that the $12.50 per person for the rental car is worth not having to be on somebody else's clock and the freedom to change our plans if we want. Does that make sense? Any suggestions and experiences are appreciated.

[cruiseAZ]

We just got back from a cruise and booked an independent tour with Barrett Adventures in Montego Bay for a group of eight. Carolyn Barrett met us at the pier at 8 am and drove us up through the mountains to YS Falls. We enjoyed the falls in the morning – the guys lin our group loved the rope swing, had a lunch of jerked chicken and then 6 of us went tubing in the YS River below the falls. On the way back from the Falls, we had a major rainstorm and the driving got really crazy! Caroline was a very competent driver but the other drivers were really insane. The roads were in very poor condition. We were glad to get back to the ship in one piece and we all agreed that we would never drive in Jamaica. The cost for the whole day was $70 per person with everything included (driving, entrance fees and lunch). Caroline or her husband Errol will also drive you were ever you want to go at $25/hour for 4 people. I would highly recommend Barrett Adventures and would like to go back to Jamaica again some day.