Quick Facts

Negril is a small but widely dispersed beach resort town. A seven mile stretch of beach is the major attraction on the arid western tip of Jamaica. Once a main attraction for nude sunbathing hippies, megaresorts now occupy most of Negril’s coastline. However, some resorts still reserve stretches of beach for nude sunbathers. In the quiet lagoon of Seven mile Beach, the coral protected waters have some of Jamaica’s best scuba diving and snorkeling on the island.

Getting There & Other Transportation

Although Negril does not have an airport, flights into the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay only require an 80 km drive southwest to Negril. The road winds scenically past ruins of sugar estates and great houses. This ride takes roughly 2 hours depending on traffic, but is your best bet (as driving from the Kingston airport takes at least 4 hours). If you are booked into one of the all-inclusives, a hotel van will carry you from the airport at MoBay into Negril.

If you are not booked into an all-inclusive resort, you can either take the public bus (a crowded minibus with a one way cost of about $4 USD) or a private minivan to your hotel. TourWise is a reliable company and they are usually waiting at the exit of the MoBay airport. The most expensive choice is taking a local taxi. Remember to always negotiate before getting into the car with your luggage.

Hotels & Places to Stay

There are essentially two parts to Negril. The West End properties open onto rocky cliffs instead of beaches and are sites of modest cottages and funky/earthy boutique-style hotels and guesthouses. The East End is lined with beaches and resorts. The difference in experience between these two ends of Negril is great. Be sure to choose the experience that is right for you.

Some West End Hotels include:

The Judy House

Samsara Hotel

Lighthouse Inn 2

Some East End Hotels include:

Riu Tropical Bay & Club Riu Negril

Beaches Negril

Couples Swept Away Negril

Beaches Sandy Bay

Dining & Nightlife

Negril has some of the liveliest restaurants in Jamaica. Fresh fish and jerk chicken are the most popular local dishes. You’ll also find more vegetarian options here than anywhere else in the country.

Chicken Lavish

Located along the West End beach strip, Chicken Lavish is one of the best low-budget eateries. Try their specialties: curried goat and red snapper.

Cosmo’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Open to the sea, this beach hut is one of the best places to go for local seafood. Try the famous conch soup, curried goat and shellfish recipes.

Hungry Lion

This laid back seafood and vegetarian restaurant has menus that change daily and a tropical juice bar (with or without rum). Red snapper, lobster and homemade pineapple-carrot cake are the favorites to try at this West End restaurant.

For more Caribbean cuisine and seafood restaurants, check out:

Juicy J’s

La Vendome

Rick’s Cafe

Sweet Spice

As far as nightlife goes, Norman Manley Boulevard is the place to be. Alfred’s Ocean Palace and  Risky Business have some of the best reggae bands in Jamaica.

If a dance club is what you’re seeking, try The Jungle in Mariner’s Negril Beach Club.

Attractions & Things to Do

The main attraction in Negril is the Seven Mile Beach. Some other attractions are:

Royal Palm Reserve

This 300 acre makes for a beautiful wetlands exploration site. Here, you’ll see sea-hawks, ospreys, the Jamaican woodpecker, egrets, butterflies, and so on. Walk for 2 km to explore these wetlands.

Rhodes Hall Plantation

A two hour horseback ride takes you through the banana and coconut groves. You can also tour the 500 acre plantation and go scuba diving and fishing.

Hurricane Park

Rent a scooter or car to tour the island and pass through the wetlands of The Great Morass. Stop at hurricane Park along the way and order a rum punch and freshly grilled catch of the day.

Mayfield Falls and Mineral Springs

This idyllic spot has more than a dozen waterfalls and underwater caves. At noon, you’re greeted with the smell of jerk chicken cooking in various shacks.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language is English; however, many Jamaicans speak Patois (a mixture of French, Spanish, English and African dialects).

US dollars are accepted in Jamaica, but the Jamaican Dollar is the country’s currency.

The ratio of JMD to USD is roughly 65:1.