Introducing Negril: the west side of Jamaica you need to visit

Lucy McGuire

Lucy McGuire

Many first time visitors to Jamaica* opt for the popular resorts towns but have you considered Negril? Fun, free-spirited and daring to be different, this sunset paradise on Jamaica's west coast is where you need to visit next.

Negril Jamaica, home of Seven Mile Beach
Negril Jamaica, home of Seven Mile Beach © Peter Q - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Getting to Negril: book your great value holiday to Negril with TUI*, which departs to Jamaica from numerous UK airports.

About Negril

Rewind a couple of thousand years and Negril* was nothing more than uninhabited swampland, which eventually became occupied by the native Arawaks or Taino Indians in around 650 AD.

As with many parts of the Caribbean, Christopher Columbus was the first New World explorer to step foot here in 1494. It's thought the name Negril came from Spanish settlers who nicknamed the area 'Negrillo' (or 'little black ones') referring to the dark-coloured cliffs you find here.

Fast forward to the 20th century and, by the time Jamaica had gained independence in 1962, Negril was becoming a bit of a 'hippie paradise' for the 'flower children' and draft dodgers from the States.

Today, Negril might not be the untouched retreat it was back then but its dreamy sunsets, beautiful beach and carefree vibe are still alive and well.

What makes Negril special?

Negril isn't as big as the popular holiday resorts of Montego Bay* and Ocho Rios*, but it certainly feels like it because it's so spread out. This sprawling town fringes 15 miles of the coastline and reaches across the two parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland.

As for its character, many parts of Negril have held onto the reputation as being Jamaica's 'hippie town'. You'll find many folk claim this is where you come to let your hair down, 'do as you please' and forget about your worries.

Negril in the movies

Negril has had a pretty star-studded past thanks to its stunning scenery. Ever seen '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'?

Ask a local and they'll happily direct you to the place in West End Negril where the 1950s' classic was filmed. It also happens to be the spot where actor Steve McQueen famously leapt off the cliffs in the1970s' film, Papillon.

The picturesque cliffs of Negril, Jamaica
The picturesque cliffs of Negril, Jamaica © Ian Dagnall - Alamy Stock Photo

Scenes from various James Bond movies have also featured Negril's dramatic cliffs, namely Thunderball and Dr No. After all, it was the island of Jamaica where writer Ian Fleming lived for many years and wrote all 14 of his spy novels.

Where to stay in Negril

The type of accommodation you'll find in Negril all depends on which part of town you're in. The northern part of Seven Mile Beach and Bloody Bay, for example, is where you'll find a whole range of swish holiday hotels*.

The southern end of Seven Mile Beach and Downtown Negril, meanwhile, play home to independent hotels and guesthouses and perhaps give off the most 'hippie' feel of the town.

Head south of the Negril river and you'll arrive at the Cliffs of the West End. This is where you'll find the famous Rick's Café as well as a collection of gorgeous boutique hotels, boho-style restaurants and cool cliff-top bars.

Top things to see & do in Negril

Hit the beach

While Seven Mile Beach may not actually be seven miles long, (it's more like five and a half but hey, who's counting), it's a great place for both active types and those looking for a kick-back type of holiday.

Just walk up and down the beach and you'll find a ton of watersports companies offering everything from parasailing to paddleboarding.

Meanwhile, deep sea fishing and diving are also popular in Negril. Or why not try beach horse riding? It's a popular way to take in these long golden sands.

On the beach at Club Hotel Riu Negril, Jamaica
On the beach at Club Hotel Riu Negril, Jamaica - photo courtesy of First Choice Holidays

If you do fancy hitting the open water, there are plenty of catamaran trips, ranging from the lively party boats to romantic sunset cruises. Some boat tours will take you to the tiny island of Booby Cay and serve you up a lobster lunch.

Meanwhile, consider heading to the lesser-known Half Moon Beach, just north of Negril on Green Island. A private tour here takes you to Calico Jack's, known as Negril's 'Pirate island'. Try the famous 'Coconut Pirates' Drink' and take your snorkel as it rests next to a coral reef.

Visit the 'koolest' water park

Families and anyone looking for a bit of high-adrenaline fun on holiday will love Kool Runnings, one of the Caribbean's most popular water parks.

You can easily fill a day here enjoying its water slides, water rafting, lazy rivers and canoeing. This family-friendly park has a choice of land-based activities too, such as paintballing, go-kart racing and laser combat.

Explore the natural wonders

Just south of Negril, you'll find the Negril Watershed Protection Area, a nature reserve that attracts hikers looking for a glimpse of the wetlands area known as the Great Morass (an important bird watching site).

If you fancy getting up close with Jamaica's national bird, head to Barney's Hummingbird Garden in West End Negril where you can feed these pint-sized creatures (call ahead to book).

If you want to get your fill of nature alongside a few high-speed thrills, don't miss a trip to Discovery Falls in the nearby town of Sheffield. You'll experience the beautiful flora and fauna of Jamaica as you whizz along a zip-line, 40 feet in the air.

Where to watch the sunset

There are endless places to watch the sun go down in Negril - you're in Jamaica's so-called sunset Mecca, after all. Pull up a chair at one of the dozens of bars that line Seven Mile Beach and watch the crimson skies over a chilled beer.

Negril sunset at Rick's Café, Jamaica
Negril sunset at Rick's Café, Jamaica © imageBROKER - Alamy Stock Photo

For the most famous sunset celebrations, don't miss out on Rick's Café, a legendary split-level restaurant and bar perched on the West End cliffs. If you've ever seen videos of the famous cliff-diving displays in Negril, this is where it all happens. When the sun dips into the horizon, it all ends in ceremonial applause.

Where to eat

There are so many places to eat and drink in Negril, it would be impossible to list them all. However, do seek out frills-free joints in the West End such as Sips & Bites, for the most authentic ackee and saltfish breakfast or succulent goat curry.

If you're after some fiery jerk chicken or pork and street food-style eats, try 3 Dives or Pushcart, also in the West End, or Juicy's, just steps from the beach. The Jamaican patties, sold by vendors along Seven Mile Beach, are also a hit.

For something more refined, check out Ivan's bar and restaurant or The Rockhouse restaurant. And for beachfront dining, make for Cosmo's restaurant. You can't miss Ciao Jamaica either; it serves up some of the greatest 'Jitalian' fusion food on the island.

Where to party

From dancehall and reggae to live bands, there's always a party in Negril. Both chilled daytime cocktails and lively sundowners are up for grabs at Margaritaville. just one of the many ocean-facing bars that line Seven Mile Beach.

Meanwhile, Bourbon Beach is a lively beach bar and a bit of an institution in Negril, where you'll find a great line-up of musicians (and occasionally, a famous reggae star or two).

For serious partying, check out Negril's popular nightclub Jungle. It hosts a weekly 'One Love' concert and regular DJs.

How to get to Negril

You can reach Negril in under two hours by car from Sir Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. If you're flying to Kingston, Negril is around four hours from Norman Manley International Airport.

Look out for taxis with registered red number plates and agree a fare in advance (always negotiate - taxi drivers will often charge tourists far higher prices).

Weather in Negril

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Find out more about the weather in Negril and see when we think is the best time to go.

Ready to discover Negril? Check out the latest deals on holidays with TUI, which offers breaks to numerous resorts across Jamaica.

Low deposits on summer & winter sun holidays with TUI

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Lucy McGuire

Lucy McGuire

Posted on Tuesday 27th March 2018 in: Beach Caribbean Winter sun

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