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Negril is in Jamaica

Negril is famous for its 7 miles of cool, white sand beaches and another 7 miles of 40' cliffs. One of the most beautiful towns in Jamaica, it has a more laid back atmosphere than that of Montego Bay and is more touristy than Ocho Rios. When you stay at a hotel on the beach you are literally on the beach when you walk out of the beachside of your hotel. You have probably never seen water this clear or warm. You will be amazed at how far out you can walk in the water before it gets up to your neck. The water is gentler and the sand is whiter(smaller grained aka softer) the farther down(away from town) you are. The end of the beach down by the all-inclusives is the whitest.

[edit] Get in

Fly into the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Take a 60-90 minute shuttle van ride to Negril.

[edit] Get around

The least expensive way to get around is to hire "Route Taxis". Many drivers will attempt to get you to hire them. Many of them are very expensive, even if you try to negotiate with them. Route Taxis, for example, from the Rui Resort on Bloody Bay to downtown Negril will charge about $2 USD per person. From Rui to Ricks Cafe is about $4USD per person. Be sure to set your price with the driver BEFORE you enter his taxi!

Drivers who are not Route Taxis often charge over $10 per person and will tell you that Route Taxis aren't safe (which is not true, it's just a way to get more money from tourists).

[edit][add listing] See

• Rick's Cafe, is known for the cliffside it is built upon, where tourists can take a courageous leap into the Caribbean Sea below. During Hurricane Ivan, the cafe slid off the cliffside into the sea below, but it has since been rebuilt and is now bigger than ever and has been rated one of the Top Ten Bars in the World, according to some publications.

Update: Rick's Café has undergone extensive refurbishing since Hurricane Ivan, and is about the biggest tourist trap in which to view a gorgeous Negril sunset. Cliff diving is available from a sturdy concrete slab perched high atop the sea cliffs, higher than before. There, visitors can test their mettle or leave it to the professionals (note: people have been killed and seriously injured/maimed when cliff jumping - including the so-called 'professionals'). Just remember that if you watch the show, you're expected to tip the professionals.

• Appleton Rum Estate
• Walk the Martha Bray River
• Negril Jamaica Vidia - a visual encyclopedia of Negril[1]

[edit][add listing] Do

Taking a snorkeling tour in one the glass bottom boats is highly recommended.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The tourist crafts market at the edge of town is a great place to pick up souvenirs and nick nacks. The sellers are willing to bargain especially if you want more than one thing. You can spend American dollars almost anywhere on the island. Most of the roadside stand sellers have a calculator and know the exchange rate. Although the roadside sellers are quite savy they can be honest to a fault when it comes to bargaining. If you want a better price you can get it. Just try to avoid upsetting the locals by killing their tourist tax.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Sugar Cane, Coconut Jelly/Meat, and Jerk Chicken.

[edit] Restaurants

• The Rockhouse Hotel, Phone: 876-957-4373, [2]. A beautifully set restaurant and hotel on the cliffs. They will collect you for free from your hotel and drive you there.

• Three Dives Restaurant a great and inexpensive eatery on the west end that is just past Xtabi Resort. Expect jerk chicken, pork, lobster and snapper - all locally sourced.

• LTU Restaurant a wonderful, locally-styled restaurant perched high on the edge of the cliff, just 200 yards from Ricks on the cliff road. The menu offers high quality and a wide range, including vegetarian, and there is a 'specials' board for fresh 'catch of the day' offerings such as Marlin, Kingfish and Mahi mahi.

• Royal Kitchen a great vegetarian/Ital restaurant on the west end past the M&L Market. $250 J gets you a great combo that usually consists of soy chunks, rice and peas, veggies, plus often stew or ackee.

• Eddie's De Bar and Grill Fantastic jerk chicken plus all the traditional jamaican dishes, goat, fish and lobster. The bar has great vibes, excellent music,nightly bonfire; truly a jamaican yard! Just past The Rockhouse Hotel on the left.

• Xtabi Restaurant, [3] Located in the beautiful and historic Xtabi hotel, the Xtabi Restaurant is consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Negril.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Rum Fruit Punch or *Red Stripe Beer are Jamaican concoctions. Guiness and Heineken can also be purchased pretty much anywhere that sells alcohol.

The SamSara Hotel also located in the west part of negril (past the rock house) has a very nice buy one get one free happy hour from 4-7 every day!!

• Coconut Water - best Straight off the tree, just cut open the coconut with a machete and drink (if you're picky, you can use a straw). You can also buy bottled coconut water basically anywhere on the island, but not as good as getting it fresh from the green coconuts. Good for your heart.

[edit] Clubs

• The Jungle Night Club, Phone: (876) 957-4005, [4]. A night club set on the main road which runs parallel to the 7 mile strip. Plays RnB/Rap/Reggae music. Note that this club is known for it's Thursday nights (ladies night) when all ladies enter free. Party at your own risk. Very fun spot to be.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Riu Tropical Bay, Norman Manley Boulevard, [5]. This splendid Victorian-style resort is in Bloody Bay, one of Jamaica’s most beautiful beaches. Riu Tropical Bay combines superb service, state-of-the-art accommodation and lively Caribbean ambience. 416 rooms offer deluxe accommodation, including a mini-bar and liquor dispenser in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a succulent array of buffet dishes and à la carte options at the resort or take advantage of exchange programnme privileges at the Riu Negril. The wide array of daytime activities and nightly entertainment includes live music and Riu's famous theme shows. Riu Tropical Bay is the ideal choice for a perfect holiday in Jamaica.  edit

• Riu Negril, Norman Manley Boulevard Bloody Bay Beach - Negril -, ☎ 8769575700, [6]. Riu Negril features 420 deluxe rooms and is on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach just minutes away from Negril's shopping area and nightlife. The resort offers unique in-room amenities, such as Riu’s renowned mini-bar and liquor dispenser, along with a complete programme of daytime activities and nightly entertainment that is perfect for the entire family. Dine at any of the tempting buffets and the à la carte specialty restaurants or enjoy a drink at one of our cosy bars. Riu Negril is the ideal holiday choice for couples, singles and families.  edit
• Rock House, [7] Rockhouse is a magical place, combining natural beauty, strong architectural design, local materials and craftsmanship, excellent service, and a relaxed, fun, authentic Jamaican experience. The hotel has an interesting history; when its first room was built in 1972, it was one of the first hotels on Negril's cliffs. Early guests included Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. In 1994, the property was purchased by a group of Australians.
• Beaches, 1-888-BEACHES, [8]. All inclusive family resort.
• Hedonism Resorts, Phone: 877-467-8737, [9]. All inclusive resort with adults only fare.
• LTU Villas, +1 876 957 0382, [10]. Large, spacious rooms at reasonable prices. Free WiFi access and cable TV throughout.
• Yoga Hotel, [11]. $30-65 USD Double
• Negril Tree House Resort, Phone: 876-957-4287, [12]. Not an all inclusive but close enough with room service, a bar/restaurant, pool, hot tub, towels for the beach at the front desk, and a free buffet breakfast. The two bedroom suites at the top of the treehouse-style rooms have a master bedroom with a bidé and double sinks in the master bath, a full size fridge, a washer, cooking utensils, dining room table, DVD player with cable in the living room, cable, tv in both bedrooms, remote controlled serious air conditioners and ceiling fans in all rooms. The cleaning service washes all the dishes and will do your laundry if you are feeling too lazy to use the washing machine. There are also a hammock, and a little hammock-like swing on the private open air covered deck at the entrance to the room. They also have one bedroom suites at ground level.
• Great Huts, [13]. Ecotourism beach bed and breakfast uniquely composed of treehouses and African Huts. Hostel rooms also available.
• Blue Cave Castle, Negril P.O. Box 3066 Lighthouse Road, ☎ (876) 957-4845 (info@bluecavecastle.com), [14]. Stay in a castle built 50ft. above an old pirates cave, on the cliffs of Negril. The views are incredible and all of the rooms face the ocean. The rooms are large with a veranda. The superior rooms have cable TV, CD players, remote control air conditioning, fans, and refrigerators. This place is fun! It's affordable; from $45US, to the huge $125 castle-top penthouse, with its 360 views of Negril.  edit
• Moon Dance Villas, ☎ 800-621-1120, [15]. Beautifully situated on a private stretch of Negril's spectacular 7-Mile Beach Moon Dance Villas is the finest villa accommodations in Jamaica. With six luxurious villas, ranging from one to five bedrooms, Moon Dance Villas is the ultimate vacation. Each villa has a dedicated, friendly staff, consisting of a chef, bartender, housekeeper, and concierge. With lush gardens, private pools and Jacuzzi, ample indoor and outdoor living space, and incredible service, Moon Dance Villas is an experience not to be missed.  edit
• Moon Dance Cliffs Resort and Spa, West End Road, [16]. Situated on the dramatic cliffs of Negril, Moon Dance Cliffs is a luxury resort and spa opening December 2008. Room choices include standard, deluxe, one- or two-bedroom suites, and Villas. All rooms are air-conditioned, have verandahs, spectacular views of the Caribbean and many have private, outdoor Jacuzzis. The Villas at Moon Dance Cliffs are located throughout the expansive grounds of the resort. Ranging from one to five bedrooms, all of the villas offer dramatic views of the Caribbean Sea from atop the cliffs. Each villa is staffed with a butler, who also acts as your personal concierge. With full access to all the resort has to offer the Villas at Moon Dance Cliffs are a vacation experience not to be missed. With two restaurants and three bars to choose from, Moon Dance Cliffs offers dining and drinking options for whatever you’re in the mood for. Annie’s is fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere; an open air restaurant set at the very edge of the ocean, the sunset view from Annie’s is spectacular. The gourmet cuisine is complimented by the extensive array of fine wines and cocktails. The Sports Bar offers casual dining with a full menu and an exciting array of cognacs and tropical cocktails. With flat screen TVs, a putting green, pool tables, Nintendo Wii’s, Bean Bag sets, and live music several nights a week, The Sports Bar will entertain you day or night. The Pool Bar offers cocktails and other beverages whether you’re in the pool or just sitting by it.  edit
• Xtabi Hotel [17] The Xtabi hotel is one of Negril's most popular destinations and is built on the historic Xtabi cliffs. The labyrinth of caves beneath the hotel have served as hiding places for pirate's treasure and film locations for major motion pictures. The Xtabi hotel consists of 24 guestrooms located on the cliffs and in its beautiful gardens. The hotel also has an award-winning restaurant and large open-air bar.

[edit] Get out

A little known fact is that you can walk from the far end of the beach to town in under an hour on the beach if you walk along the beach line to where the trees block the way and then take to the grass along the water. Just stay on the shore and you will stumble into the tourist market at the edge of town. There are coconuts and sugar cane for sale in the parking lot. It is a great way to avoid the taxi tax and stay off the road!

To see more of the area in and around Negril, with a local flare, requires a tour guide. Tour Guides can be hired relatively cheaply, and will add a lot of life to your exploration of Negril, and Jamaica at large. To find one, it is easiest to ask for a referral from a tourist spot, like Rick's Cafe. One local favorite is Sexy Rexy, a Rastafarian tourguide, but others can be found as well.

[edit] Stay safe

Use common sense, especially at night. Negril is generally considered safer than most large American cities.

[edit] Drugs

It is illegal to buy and/or use drugs in Jamaica. Commonly, you may be offered marijuana 'smoke... smoke?' by the locals. A pleasant "no thank you" will usually suffice. Do not be surprised if you are offered drugs several times throughout your stay.

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