Negril
Some rumors say that
Adam and Even actually left Eden for a better life in Negril.
Rugged cliffs and pure white beaches make a luscious mixture of seductiveness and innocence.
Tempting sunsets appear every day, so do bronze-skinned girls in bikinis the size of butterflies......
When you arrive in Negril at the far western tip of the island, you may kick off your shoeslong before you have unpacked. Crystalline Caribbean waters, seaside hammocks wedged between swaying palms and silky strands of beach are just too tempting. You will soon be wriggling your toes in the surf along Negril's seemingly endless stretch of bleached white sand.
Then there is the other side of Negril, dramatic cliffs clinging to a turquoise sea, affirming Negril's moniker as the sunset watching capital of Jamaica. This is probably one of the few places on earth where you can coax someone into jumping off a cliff.
Distinctive topography paints only part of Negril's alluring picture. The unofficial headquarters for Jamaica's fun-in-the-sun vacationers, freewheeling Negril gives new meaning to casual and carefree. Let your hair down---or braid it. Shed your clothes and your cares. Disconnect from the work-a-day world. Lose even your sense of time.
A relative newcomer in international travel circles, Negril burst onto the scene about 25 years ago. There was atime in the early 70's when the area was without electricity and had no paved road (the main road was the beach). Telegrams delivered by the Negril Post Office provided communication. Few Hotels exhisted. Goats and cows outnumbered visitors.
Flower children and hippies who first settled the area and put Negril on the map have been decamped by legions of couples and families strolling hand in hand on the beach. Cyber cafes and direct dial telephones have supplanted telegrams.
Negrils geographic position ensures an uninterupted view of the sea and sunset. What was once a tedious drive on the coastal road between Montego Bay and Negril is now an easy stretch on a new highway boasting spectacular scenic views of the coast and sea. Previously a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive, it now takes about 1/2 an hour. Take your time and enjoy the sights!
Both sides of Negril, the beach and the cliffs, are framed by shades of blue and green warm waters. A roundabout that sits in the center of town is about the mid-point between seven miles of pristine beach and about the same amount of jagged cliffs.
Things to do, places to go....
Many activities revolve around Negril's famous ribbon of beach, arguably the best in the entire Caribbean. Known as "Negril's second highway" the beach runs parallel to Norman Manley Boulevard, the main road. Sand slopes gently into the placid warm waters that feel like a saltwater Jacuzzi. Water so clear you can see ridges of sand on the sea bottom.
Relaxed, barefoot travelers walk the stunning seven mile beach for miles. Bronzed, oiled bodies in lounge chairs, joggers and vendors also share the sandy strip.
Rainbow colored signs beachside invite you to stop for a massage, dine at the beachfront restaurants, sip a cool refreshing drink at one of the roadside bars or make plans for the evening entertainment. Vendors sell everything from fresh fruit and jerk chicken to handmade baskets, necklaces and carvings.
Boats for hire and properly liceensed and insured watersports operators are located all along the beach area. Sailboats, power boats, catamarans and kayaks ply the waters in all directions. Water-skiing, kayaking and parasailing are available. Buoys to protect swimmers from motor craft activity mark the swimming area.
Morning and sunset cruises are popular pursuits. A sunset snorkel cruise to the cliff area ranges from US $30.00 to US $45.00 and includes drinks and gear. Great visability and a myriad of marine life liven up encouters below the surface. Near the shore, snorkeling is excellent in the turquoise waters around the cliffs.
For as ittle as US $10.00 a day, you can rent snorkel gear to see coral formations, colorful sponges, red fish, eels and small rays. Snorkeling trips to to the reef and cliffs include guides and gear and ranges from US $15.00 - $40.00 per person. Please remember to tip your guide if the trip was really fun and memorable!
Taking the West End road is like entering another world. The road twists and turns past shopping areas, vendors with brightly colored wraps and sarongs, woodcarvers, casual restaurants and off-beat resorts that string along the cliffs area. Get out and enjoy yourself along the way. It is a great opportunity to soak up some sun, snorkel in and out of coves and caves along the cliffs ....or savor a chicken patty and a cool drink.
Watching Negril's captivating sunsets has become a daily ritual and mellow party atmosphere. Mother nature paints broad strokes of golden hues across the Negril sky. When the brilliant orb sinks below the horizon, cameras click, couples kiss and applause rivals that of a performance. While many take advantage of a sunset-watching from the beach, the cliff's area in Negril's west end, is the happening place. Popular hangouts are perched atop the cliffs. Among the most popular are Rick's Cafe, Rockhouse and Xtabi.
Jumping and diving off the cliffs is another popular pastime in
Negril. All day leading up to sunset, visitors jump and dive from the beautiful
honeycombed rocks. The swift descent into clear waters may seem like an eternity,
but it really only takes a few seconds. It's exhilerating. See how the locals
dive and jump before you try it. The you can float about, swim or snorkel into
the grottos. Make sure your dive operator is licensed.
Golfers will find a scenic 18-hole, par 72 course at Negril Hills Golf Club. The course is a five-minute drive from the Negril roundabout by following Sheffield Road. Undulating fairways make for interesting club selection on this 6,333-yard, well manicured layout. The signiture hole is the par-4, 427-yard fifty hole.
Birdwatchers will also enjoy the ecological treat of a cruise up the Negril river, starting in town at the bridge near the roundabout, for about US $15.00 per person.
Horseback riding opportunities are available at several stables, including northeast of Negril in Green Island and south in Savanna-La-Mar. Gallop through ackee and pimento plantations, past Great Houses and along the Caribbean Sea.
Duty free Shopping
Excellent dutyfree bargains can be found on everything from Perfumes to fine jewelry. Upscale Times Square Mall on Norman Manley Boulevard carries a wealth of duty-free goods. Imagine hundreds upon hundreds of designer watches, gems, diamonds and gold chains in one location. The complex has more than a dozen stores, cafes, souvenir shops offering everything from sunglasses, rum, and handmade soaps to candles and t-shirts. Taste the rums in the shops. A weaver at the mall custom weaves anything you prefer---from straw hats to mats or handbags. Order in the am and pick up your goodies in the afternoon. While at the mall take the time to enjoy the sounds of ska, mento, reggae and calypso. A four piece mento band provides entertainment free of charge every Wednesday afternoon between 3pm and 5 pm. Enjoy a drink at the new Ricks cafe at the mall.
Nightlife
Other resort areas may have bigger bashes, but the music hardly ever stops in Negril. Nightlife starts as soon as the sun goes down and continues until the very wee hours. Options include beach parties, fire dancing, cultural shows, live calypso, reggae and soca. Flyers at most hotels, placards on telephone poles on the cliffs advertise scheduled events and specials.
The disco at all-inclusive Hedonism II rocks until 5am and is among the best in Jamaica. (Some all-inclusive resorts sell passes for nightly entertainment) Also check out The Jungle and Compulsion Discotheque in the town center.
Rock to live Reggae shows on the beach at hot spots like Alfreds Ocean Palace, DeBuss, Risky Business, Roots Bamboo and Fun Holiday Beach Restaurant & Bar.
Kuyaba features a live mento band nightly. It's nearly always pparty-time at Margueritaville. Ricks Cafe on the Cliffs features live entertainment. Spring Breakers converge on Negril en masse to party hardy along the beach and cliffs.