Car rental Falmouth, anyone done it?

We are a family of 5 and looking at booking private transfers eats up a huge amount, where getting a car is about $100 with full coverage and transfers.

I have read many of the negatives (opposite side and rough roads etc.) but looking for those who have done it. Were you able to do a lot with it. It looks like the road to Mont. Bay or Dunn falls looks fairly new? Did you stick to the main highway A1? Was it worth it? TIA

Honestly we have never done a private transfer or tour on any island. We either rent a car (ST. MAARTEN for example) or ride public busses no one talks about (St Thomas, Nassau etc) or taxi.

We rented a car for a few days when we stayed at a resort by Negril a few years back, despite many people (who had never done it!) warning us against it. We had driven on he left a few times before and in several other countries. We never felt in danger. We mostly drove in the area between Negril and Black River, along the main hwy. and to some of the areas inland. The worst part actually was the potholes at night. Although we didn't plan to be driving on that road at night, one day our wanderings took longer than we planned. I can't offer advice about DRIVING the roads to the areas you mentioned but we've been IN vehicles on the road to Dunn's River Falls and the surrounding areas a few times and would not be afraid to rent a car and drive ourselves.

Having said that, if you contact a few private drivers and/or taxi tour companies you will find out their prices vary quite a bit. You very well may find one who will drive your whole family for the day in the range of $100 as long as the destinations aren't all super far apart from each other. (You can find a list of drivers by looking at a post kept on the sidebar of the Jamaican forums on tripadvisor dot com.) It might be more enjoyable for you if you can view the scenery more at length instead of by quick glances out the side windows while you keep you eyes closely on the road ahead.

Hope this helps somewhat!