Psychedelic sunsets, clear turquoise waters, and adventure are just a few features of Negril Jamaica. This small town is one of the most popular resorts on the island. There are plenty of adventures and sights to see that will make your stay memorable. From a 7-mile beach to authentic grilled jerk chicken, there are several reasons Negril is a place like no other.
Location & Population
Negril is located at the westernmost peak of Jamaica with a gorgeous, unobstructed view of the sunset. This area of Jamaica has equal portions of beach and cliff. The 7-mile beach is exactly that; approximately seven miles of pure white sand. The beach is made up of two bays. The Bloody Bay is on the northern part, and the Long Bay is towards the south. The rocky area of the island is located on the West end, and it has more cliffs. This side of the island is well-populated, giving its inhabitants more privacy. Approximately 7800 people populate Negril, with many living in the village in the middle of the town. Negril is a laid-back but an exquisite place to live.
History & Culture
Negril was not always a popular place to live. In fact, it was only 1959 when hippies and backpackers were the first vacationers to appear there. They would board with local families or pitch camp in tents on the beaches. This founded the laid-back lifestyle of Negril, as they would smoke marijuana and eat psychedelic mushrooms on the beach.
Early Discovery
Before the 1950’s, Negril had a fairly uneventful history. Jamaica was originally named St. Lago when Christopher Columbus discovered it in 1494. It was inhabited by the Arawak Indians, who were killed off due to war and disease. The name Negril referred to them. It’s a shortened version of Negrillo, which means “small black ones” in Spanish. Some say it was not referring to the Indians, but rather, the dark cliffs located south.
Around the 1950s, David Connel made the first resort named, Guest House in Negril Jamaica in Palm Grove. The attraction to the area grew. By the mid to late 1960s, the first Hotel in Negril was founded. It called the Yacht Club by Mary’s Bay, on the West End.
Rise in Popularity
In the early 1970s, a road that traveled from Montego Bay to Negril was developed. This increased Negril’s popularity exponentially. Beforehand, a ferry had to be taken to the bay where travelers would wade through water to get to dry land. This road made Negril became the popular vacation spot it is today.
Negril is known for being underdeveloped, and they see it as a strength. They operate on the principle that no building higher than the tallest palm tree will be constructed. The natural and untouched charm of Negril makes it a relaxing and down-to-earth paradise for those seeking refuge from our technology-filled society.
Why You Should Go to Negril Jamaica?
From the food to the scenery, Negril Jamaica does not lack fun and entertainment. Here are some reasons you will love vacationing in Negril.
The Residents
The atmosphere in Negril is very relaxed and laid-back. This is mostly due to the warm and friendly people who call Negril their home. Meeting people adds to the experience as they love to share their culture with visitors. They are passionate about their hometown.
The Food
If you like Jamaican food, then Negril is as good as it gets. Jerk chicken is one of Jamaica’s most popular dishes. Enjoy authentic jerk chicken right off the grill. There are many varieties of jerk chicken found in Negril. Each cook has their own special recipe of spices that makes their jerk sauce unique while using their own cooking methods. Some visitors go on a “jerk chicken crawl” to taste many types of the delicacy.
If you are a coffee fanatic, you will love the coffee options in Negril. A top recommended spot is Sun Beans Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. It features locally grown organic coffee beans. The coffee blends there are of good quality and highly recommended. Another popular coffee place is Big Roy’s, which serves all meals including drinks and coffee. It is an open restaurant, on the street side and is good for larger groups or families.
If you want access to a lot of fine dining restaurants, stay at Sandals Negril. This is a resort which offers unlimited fine dining at seven restaurants and off-resort places.
Fun Activities
Many people go to Negril for the adventures. There are a ton of fun things to do in Negril Jamaica, from cliff jumping, snorkeling, and even parasailing.
Cliff jumping is one of the most popular ways to have fun in Negril. On the south side, there are many tall rocky cliffs perfect for jumping from. Some have a height of 30 to 50 feet for the, especially daring jumpers.
Rick’s Cafe grand Entrance
If you wish to watch the cliff jumping, there’s no better place to do that than Rick’s Cafe, on the West end of Negril. You could spend the day watching tourists and locals cliff jumping with a perfect view. There are a lot of other things that people do in the water beside cliff jumping. Snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, and parasailing can make your vacation to Negril a blast. One of the most popular things people do while in Jamaica is going on a parasailing tour of the 7-foot beach.
Everybody knows Jamaicans for being as fast as many of the fastest sprinters in the world came from Jamaica. Every year on the first weekend in December, Negril hosts the Reggae Marathon. It also hosts a half-marathon and 10km. Participants run down the coastline, and there is plenty of Reggae music to keep you going until you make it to the finish line.
Sight-Seeing
Negril’s beautiful scenery is one of its biggest attractions. Getting around to all the different sights is easy. The atmosphere is safe and relaxed. The city is not very big, so many people walk. If you’d rather take a taxi, they are plentiful and inexpensive. One tip is to make sure your taxi is licensed and insured. Only taxis with red license plates are legal. If you prefer to rent a car and drive on your own, remember to drive on the left side of the road.
One of the nice things about Negril is that the resort isn’t separate from the culture. It is all around you. You get to experience the culture all over the whole island as you meet natives who love to share their home with you.
Negril Jamaica has many beautiful waterfalls close by, which can all be seen in the space of one day. The Mayfield and YS waterfalls are the closest. One of the more extravagant looking waterfalls nearby is the Dunn’s River Falls. It is further than those previously mentioned, but it is worth the effort. It is a gorgeous sight.
Negril Lighthouse
Besides waterfalls, there are several trails you can take to go hiking and experience the natural scenery of Jamaica. Negril Lighthouse, which was built in 1984, is a popular attraction. Another impressive sight is Barney’s Hummingbird Garden.
If you want to spend one of your days in a more fast-paced city, you can take a trip to Montego Bay. It is an hour and a half away from Negril Jamaica by car. It is the second largest city in Jamaica and offers a lot of activities including horseback riding, zip-lining, and tons of bars and eateries to enjoy.
If you don’t feel like traveling on your vacation, you can enjoy the sights is by sitting on the white sand beach. Negril Jamaica has gorgeous sunrises and sunsets of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. This beach is safe enough that you can stay out late at night to enjoy the ocean.
Entertainment
There are plenty of places to go shopping in Negril Jamaica. If you’re looking to buy fashionable styles or traditional Jamaican clothes, there are many boutiques and shopping centers that are inexpensive. You can also visit Zanzis Beach Resort gift shop for souvenirs and other items.
If you are interested in nightlife, you will never run out of things to do. There are bar crawls, clubs, and even swim-up bars for people to enjoy their night out. Divas Intl. is a popular boutique to visit for nightwear in Negril Jamaica.
All day and night, you will hear reggae music in Negril. People play reggae on the beach, on the streets, or at nightclubs. Several famous reggae artists perform shows in Negril.