Negril

Negril is a major tourist destination in Western Jamaica, known for its white sandy beaches.

Understand
Negril is famous for its 7 miles (11 km) of cool, white sand beaches and another 7 miles of 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.

The region is also known for the foreign janes (female sex tourists) who visit.

Get in
Fly into the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Take a 60- to 90-minute shuttle van ride to Negril. It is a very scenic drive along the north coast travelling west. There are many companies and taxis that provide a great service doing airport transfers to Negril.

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 per person. From Rui to Ricks Cafe is about $4 per person. Be sure to set your price with the driver before you enter their taxi!

Current rates (2012) seem to be $100 (Jamaica dollars) along the beachfront road to the roundabout in Negril township, and 100 more for any point past this i.e. around the cliffs. Double this if you are catching a route taxi at night.

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).

See

 * Martha Bray River— a truly magnificent river; one of the longest rivers in Jamaica.

Do
Taking a snorkelling tour in one the glass bottom boats is highly recommended. Watch the famous Negril sunset: it is the sunset to remember.

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 savvy they can be honest to a fault when it comes to bargaining. If you want a better price you can get it.

Eat

 * Sugar Cane, Coconut Jelly Meat, and Jerk Chicken.

Restaurants

 * Rick's Cafe 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.
 * Eddie's De Bar and Grill 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.
 *  Three Dives Restaurant an eatery on the west end that is just past Xtabi Resort. Expect jerk chicken, pork, lobster and snapper - all locally sourced.
 *  LTU Restaurant a locally-styled restaurant perched high on the edge of the cliff, 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 vegetarian/Ital restaurant on the west end past the M&L Market. $250 gets you a great combo that usually consists of soy chunks, rice and peas, veggies, plus often stew or ackee.
 *  Royal Kitchen a vegetarian/Ital restaurant on the west end past the M&L Market. $250 gets you a great combo that usually consists of soy chunks, rice and peas, veggies, plus often stew or ackee.

Drink


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 4-7PM 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.
 * Rum Fruit Punch or Red Stripe Beer are Jamaican concoctions. Guinness and Heineken can also be purchased pretty much anywhere that sells alcohol.

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

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" or "yes please!" will usually suffice. Do not be surprised if you are offered drugs several times throughout your stay.

Go next
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 flair, 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 favourite is Sexy Rexy, a Rastafarian tour guide, but others can be found as well.