Rastagirl what are you saying ??? "There are some (not many) route taxis about at night"
??????????????? from November through April there are MANY MANY route taxi's driving about & way up into the west end on a fifteen minute basis. I don't think I have had to wait more then ten minutes for one to come. Ever Ever Ever, except maybe back in the 1970's. And I rest far into the west end too. The only time (far out) that route taxi's don't drive by is during the summer months.
There are a massive amount of route taximen that take the Orange Hill workers into and out of the hotels during the night time hours. And transport them back to the hotels in the early morning hours.
I have probably about thirty "west end" route taxi driver's cell phone numbers. I do have my favorites too -- "Lenny" an old time rastaman who drives the early morning Orange Hill crew to their work destinations. "Ian" -- who lives on the very scary Lime Tree Lane & drives cars that are practically falling apart (24 hour pick up/delivery) -- CHEAP too. The long-time Negril resident who picks up the tourists daily for the airport drive -- I usually get from Mobay to upper West End via the cheap shuttle. $15... everyone else is dropped off first at all these fancy places on the beach... I'm the last one to get off the bus. The driver always marvels "It's like a different world up here"....
And for sure I use the Margaritaville bus regularly -- I'm not sure if it runs in November though -- usually it's around 10:30 a.m. in the west end that it drives to the place. & I think the departure time is 4:00 p.m. or so (back into the wests end). I always tip the driver $1-$2 & as my trip progresses & I have less and less money, sometimes no tip.
When you first get there, it might be a good idea for you to buy some breakfasts at the nearest place that offers entry into the ocean. After about a week or so, you will be welcomed still, when your money is "done".
Bring US $1's... for tips at restaurants initially and route taxi money --
I do basic --- it seems many of you don't... for me, if it is a choice of staying three and a half weeks doing "basic" or one week doing "really nice" -- I choose the basic plan. My one criteria is being absolutely RIGHT ON THE SEA. Like open my eyes in my bed and being able to see the ocean.