Negril is a town in Jamaica. On Spanish maps, the westernmost point of
the island was called Punta Negrilla. In the centuries that followed,
pirates attacked passing ships from there.
Development only began
in 1958. Drainage channels were dug through the swamp and the road
towards Montego Bay was built. The largest building at the time was the
Fisherman's Inn Restaurant at the roundabout. At the end of the
6-kilometer-long, fine-sand bathing bay, there was only one hotel.
Halfway between them, people met at the Negril Sands Club. Just behind
the roundabout, there were a few houses owned by the WISCO sugar
plantation, Frome, where the management met from time to time and held
company parties. On the side of the road facing away from the sea
stretches the Great Morass, a 2,400-hectare, inaccessible swamp area.
In the 1970s, dropouts and hippies brought Negril back from a deep
sleep. Plans were drawn up to drain the swamp and build a Jamaican Las
Vegas. Fortunately, the necessary investors were not found and now there
is a law that buildings may not be higher than the palm trees. Instead,
the entire land between the main road and the sea was divided into plots
of land about 75m wide, and the first large hotel opened in 1977. Now
there are so many of them that the electricity and water supplies
regularly fail. At the turn of the millennium, tourism spread ever
further north. Bloody Bay, where whalers went about their bloody
business a hundred years ago, is now fully developed and is being
completely built up.
Since Negril has little inland and
hinterland, the entire tourist life takes place mainly on the beach
between the Negril River and the small island of Booby Cay, where one
holiday resort lies next to the other. On West End Road in the south,
where the coast is rocky, there are fewer hotels, but more restaurants
and shops selling beach towels, T-shirts, carvings, records and
souvenirs. Rick's Cafe, Kaiser's Cafe and the LTU Bar near the
lighthouse, built in 1894, are world famous. Prices in Negril vary
greatly, with the beach hotels being higher than those on West End Road;
the simple Jamaican-style buildings on the side of the road facing away
from the sea are cheaper than the bars and restaurants with satellite
TV.
For technical reasons, the description of Negril is divided
into the town itself with the rocky coast in the south and the northern
coastal section of Negril Beach, which begins at the roundabout on the
Negril River. This northern part is limited to the area to the right and
left of the main road to Montego Bay, Norman Manley Boulevard. Norman
Manley Boulevard is always referred to as "N.M.B." in the following.
Two restaurants in Negril are absolute "must bes". Cosmos Restaurant
on Seven Mile Beach is one of the oldest restaurants on the beach. In
the beginning, in the 1970s, there was only one big hut (still standing
today) and shabby changing rooms. Today it has become a chic beach
restaurant with a bar, with a few small additional huts selling
souvenirs and T-shirts at very good prices.
Rick's Cafe is much
more well-known today. For years, crowds have been flocking there every
evening to watch the sunset. At the entrance, at the cash register, you
have to buy the hotel's own money (small round plastic discs) and use it
to pay for everything. Drinks have a flat price, one, two or three
tokens, so the staff have no problems exchanging money and can serve
drinks more quickly. In addition to the sunset, there is the second
"sensation". A few meters from the bar there is a concrete platform from
which the daredevils can throw themselves about 10m into the sea. Each
jump is of course appreciated and photographed by the spectators. A
stone staircase then leads from the water back up to the bar level.
Chukka Blue Adventure Tours (876-953-5619) - horseback riding, tubing, biking, jeep rental, ATV rentals
Rhodes Hall Plantation (876-957-6883) – horseback riding
Negril Scuba Center (876-957-4425)- diving
Aqua Nova Watersports (876-957-4323)
South Negril Lighthouse. A 27m high, round concrete tower built in 1894 by a French company. The 4m high metal lamp room is placed on top of it. The light is powered by solar energy. Next to the lighthouse is the lighthouse keeper's house. There is a parking lot there and the lighthouse is open to visitors by appointment.
Boat charter
Aqua Nova Water Sports, N.M.B. Tel: 957-4754.
Carnival Cruise, Ray's Water Sports, N.M.B. Tel.: 957-5349, Fax:
957-9856.
Cosmo's Water Sports, N.M.B. Phone: 957-4215.
Island
Charter Company – Sunsplash Cruise, N.M.B. Tel: 957-6163, Fax: 995-2853.
Ocean Tours Water Sports, Shop 22, Plaza de Negril. Tel: 957-4522, Fax:
957-4057.
Oceanside Sports, West End Road. Tel: 957-4534.
Wild
Thing Catamaran Cruises, N.M.B. Tel: 957-9930.
Fishing
Aqua
Nova Water Sports, N.M.B. Tel.: 957-4754.
Nautical. Cell: 403-8124.
Price: half day US$500, full day US$1,000.
Wild Thing Catamaran
Cruises, N.M.B., Chances Restaurant. Tel.: 957 -9930.
Fitness
Studios
Negril Fitness Center, Negril Beach Club Condos, Beach Road.
Tel.: 957-4323.
Raft trips
Caliche White River Rafting. Tel.:
957-5569, Fax: 957-5947. Reservations: c/o Point Village Hotel.
Glass bottom boats
Ray's Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-5349, Fax:
957-9856.
Golf
Negril Hills Golf Club, Sheffield Main Road.
Tel.: 957-4638, Fax: 957-3890. 18-hole course, built in 1997, Par 72,
6,333 yards, clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop. Price: Green fee: in
Winter $58, summer $48, carts: $35, clubs: $20, caddy: $15.
Jet
Ski
Aqua Nova Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4754.
Negril Tree
House Watersports. Tel .: 957-4287.
SeaTec Water Sports, N. M. B.
Tel.: 957-4401. Price: $49-50 for 30 minutes.
West Point Water
Sports, Point Village. Tel.: 957-5521.
Marinas
Mary's Bay
Marina & Fuel Dock, West End Road, in front of Mi Yard. Tel.: 957-0981,
Fax: 957-0981. Bar, restaurant, fuel.
Mountain bike tours
Rusty's X-Cellent Adventures, Hilton Avenue , West End. Tel.: 957-0155.
Parasailing
Aqua Nova Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4754.
Premium Parasail, N. M. B., between Paradise View and Foote Prints
Hotel. Tel.: 957-3928.
Ray's Water Sports , N. M. B. Tel.: 957-5349,
Fax: 957-9856.
SeaTec Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4401. Price:
US$30 for 12 minutes.
West Point Water Sports, Point Village. Tel.:
957-5521.
Horseback riding
Country Western Riding, Sheffield
Road, next to the police station. Tel.: 955-7190, 957-3250. Open: Daily
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price: US$50.
Rhodes Hall Plantation, Green Island ,
16km from the Negril roundabout. Tel.: 957-6190, 957-6334, Fax:
957-6333.
Surfing
Ray's Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-5349,
Fax: 957-9856.
West Point Water Sports , Point Village. Tel.:
957-5521.
Diving / Diving Wrecks
In Negril there are several
wrecks near the shore, including two Cessna planes covered in coral and
a 15m tugboat in 27m of water, which the locals call Pete's Wreck.
Aqua Nova Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957 -4754.
Captain Water
Sports. Tel.: 956-7312, Fax: 952-1311.
Hedonism II Hotel Dive Shop.
Tel.: 957-5200, Fax: 957-5289.
Marine Life Divers (PADI), SamSara
Hotel, West End Road. Tel.: 957-3245, Fax: 957-9783.
Negril Scuba
Centre, LTU Villas, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0382.
Negril Scuba
Centre & Water Sports, Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.: 957-4425,
957-9641.
Negril Scuba Centre & Water Sports, Sunset at the Palms
Resort. Tel.: 530-2927. Price: Beginner course, 75 US $, 1-tank dive 30
US $ + 20$ rental for equipment, 2-tank dive 55 US $.
Sandals Resort.
Tel.: 957-5216.
ScubaCaribe, Riu Tropical Hotel, Bloody Bay. Tel.:
957-5049, 957-5111.
SeaTec Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957 -4401.
SunDiver Scuba School (PADI), Point Village, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4503,
957-5340.
Swept Away Hotel. Tel.: 330-8272.
West Point
Watersports, Point Village. Tel.: 957-5521.
Water skiing
Ray´s
Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-5349, Fax: 957-9856.
SeaTec
Water Sports, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4401. Price: US$30 for 15 minutes.
Yoga
Negril Yoga Centre, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4397. Open: Yoga
classes daily 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and by appointment. Price: US$15.
By plane
The Negril Airport is a small regional
airport. It is located 7.5 km north of the Negril roundabout.
By
road
Negril is the westernmost town on the island of Jamaica. It can
be reached on the well-developed national road A 1 from Montego Bay, via
the town of Lucea halfway there (82 km). It can also be reached via the
A 2 from Spanish Town via the towns of May Pen, Mandeville and
Savanna-La-Mar.
From the Negril roundabout it is 460
m west to the large parking lot on the right-hand side of the road.
There you will find minibuses and taxis.
Fares: from Negril to
Montego Bay with a bus change in Lucea costs 220 JA $; from Negril to
Savanna-La-Mar you pay 100 JA 4.
Rental car
Dollar Rent-A-Car,
opposite Negril Tree House. Tel: 957-4110, Fax: 957-3342.
Happy
World, Car & Bike Rental, opposite Moon Dance Villas. Tel: 957-4004.
Island Cruiser Rentals. Tel: 957-9187, Fax: 618-1277. Price: Island
Cruiser, US$50 per day, US$325 per week.
Jus Jeep Rental, West End
Road. Tel: 957-0094-95, Fax: 957-4077.
Rite Rate Car & Jeep Rental,
Bar-B-Barn Hotel. Tel: 957-4667, Fax: 957-4679.
Spark's Car Rental.
Tel: 957-9601, 957-4681, Fax: 836-0904.
Vernon's Car & Jeep Rental,
Fun Holiday Beach Resort. Phone: 957-4354, 957-4698, 957-4764.
Scooter
Banmark Bike Rentals, West End Road, opposite Coral Seas
Cliff Resort. Tel: 957-0196-97, Fax: 957-0725.
Dependable Bike
Rental, Vernon's Car Rental. Phone: 957-4764.
Elvis Bike Rental,
Beach House Villas, opposite Coco La Palm Resort. Tel: 957-4731-32.
Freedom Bike Rental, opposite Roots Bamboo. Phone: 957-3703, 864-4584.
Gas Bike Rental, West End Road. Tel: 957-4835, Cell: 853-9982.
Jah
B's Bike Rental. Tel.: 957-4235, Fax: 957-4743. Price: Scooter 25 US$
per day, 175 Trail Bike 40 US$ per day, Honda Shadow 50 US$ per day.
Jolly´s Bike Rental, opposite Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.: 957-3385.
Nortigo Bike Rental, opposite Negril Beach Club. Tel.: 957-4711.
Speng Bike Rental, next to Whistling Bird. Tel.: 957-9402.
Taurus
Bike Rental, Alfred´s Ocean Palace. Tel.: 957-9679.
Tykes Bike
Rental, opposite Catcha Falling Star, West End. Tel.: 957-0388.
Gas
stations
Cool Pertoleum, Nonpariel Road / White Hall Main Road. Tel.:
957-4945.
Hutchinson's Texaco, Whitehall Road. Tel: 957-3024, Fax:
955-9646.
Petcom, Rutland Point. Tel: 957-5524-25.
On the six-kilometer-long stretch of beach you will find a number of
small shops, some directly on the beach, some on Norman Manley
Boulevard. So far there is only one shopping center there: Time Square
Plaza. The tourist information offices are on the street side, in the
back area, on the upper floor there are clean, free toilets.
In
Negril, directly behind the roundabout, you will find all the other
shopping centers lined up like on a string.
Coral Seas Plaza, West
End Road. Also known as Sunshine Village or NCB Plaza.
Kings Plaza,
West End Road. Tel.: 957-3941, Fax: 957-4968. Baywatch Pharmacy.
Negril Vendor's Plaza, West End Road. Also known as A Fi Wi Plaza.
Plaza de Negril - Adrija Plaza / Value Master Plaza, Negril Square at
the roundabout.
Tait's Plaza, Savanna-La-Mar main street. 1 building.
White Swan Plaza, Non Pariel Road.
Further shops can be found at
irregular intervals along West End Road.
Alfreds Ocean Palace. Tel.: 957-4669, 957-4735, Fax: 957-9674.
Jamaican.
Bourbon Beach Restaurant & Grill (ex De Buss). Tel.:
957-4405. Mon, Thurs + Sat live music and beach parties. Open: 9 a.m. –
11 p.m.
Café Taino, opposite Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.:
957-4380, 957-9813 (Manager). Jamaican.
Cosmo's, on the beach. Tel.:
957-4330, 957-4784, Fax: 957-3395. Caribbean, fish. Since the end of
2009, it has cost 300 JA dollars to enter the beach and use the toilets
at Cosmo, children pay 50 JA $ and the rental of deck chairs costs 100
JA $. There are also hammocks between some of the trees, which are free.
Errol's Sunset Café, next to Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.: 957-3312.
Jamaican.
Gibbs Restaurant. Tel.: 957-4753.
Jah B's. Tel.:
957-4235, Fax: 957-4743. Jamaican.
Jamaica Tamboo Villa. Tel.:
957-4282, Fax: 957-4282. Jamaican, expensive.
Jimmy Buffet's
Margaritaville. Tel.: 957-4467. Open: daily 9 a.m. - midnight.
Rainbow Arch. Tel.: 957-4745. Jamaican.
Risky Business Bar & Grill.
Tel.: 957-3008. Jamaican.
Selina's Coffee Bar & Eatery, opposite
Merrils III Hotel. Tel.: 957-9519. Jamaican.
Sun Beach, next to
Firefly Cottages. Tel.: 957-9118. Jamaican.
Tropical Fantasy. Tel.:
957-4746.
Uprising Pub. Tel.: 957-4766.
Whistling Bird Cafe and
Bar, on the beach. Tel.: 957-4403. Jamaican. Open: Mon - Thurs from 5
p.m., Fri - Sun from 4 p.m.
Kool Runnings Water Park
Dash-Een.
Fast food.
Elma Brown's Backyard. Jamaican.
Guava Jelly. Coffee
Shop.
Knot Out Sportsbar, above the Sweet Potato Grill.
Kool
Blendz
Sweet Potato Grill. Jamaican.
Time Square Plaza
Cafe
Carib. Tel.: 957-9834.
Choices Cafe. Tel.: 383-0587.
Hotel
restaurants on Normanh Manley Boulevard
Angela´s, Bar-B-Barn Hotel.
Tel.: 957-9793. Italian.
Gloria´s Sunset, Barry´s Bold As Love
Guesthouse. Tel.: 957-4741. Jamaican.
Beach House, Beach House
Villas. Tel.: 957-4731.infobearbeiten
Gambino´s, Beachcomber Hotel.
Tel.: 957-4170. Italian, expensive.
Le Vendome, Charela Inn. Tel.:
957-4648. French, very expensive. Open: daily 8am-10.30pm.
Chill
Awhile Restaurant & Bar, Idle Awhile Resort. Tel: 957-3303.
Buddah
Groove, Chippewa Village. Tel: 957-4676, 957-9250.
Hunan Garden
Restaurant, Country Country Hotel. Tel: 957-4273. Chinese, expensive.
Robinson Crusoe, Foote Prints Hotel. Tel: 957-4300. Jamaican.
Fun
Holiday Beach Restaurant, Fun Holiday Beach Resort. Tel: 957-3585.
International.
Chill Awihle, Idle Awihle Apartments. Tel: 957-3302.
Jamaican, vegetarian. Open: daily 8am-9.30pm.
Kuyaba Beach Resort.
Tel.: 957-4318, Fax: 957-9765. Jamaican, expensive. Open: daily 7 a.m. –
11 p.m.
Legends Beach Resort. Tel.: 957-3834, Fax: 957-4073.
International.
Mama Flo's Restaurant, Hidden Paradise Resort. Tel.:
957-3532. Jamaican, cheap, on the beach.
Da Gino Italian Restaurant &
Bar, Mariposa Hide-Away. Tel.: 957-4918.
Golden Sunset, Negril Beach
Club. Tel.: 957-4241, 957-9703.
Orchid Terrace, Negril Garden Hotel.
Irie on the Beach, Rondel Village. Tel.: 957-9053, 957-4413. Jamaican.
Open: daily until 10 p.m.
Roots Bamboo Beach Restaurant & Bar, Roots
Bamboo Resort. Tel.: 957-4479. International. Open: daily 7 a.m. – 10
p.m.
Norma's, Sea Splash Hotel. Tel.: 957-4041. Jamaican, expensive.
Open: daily 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Shield's, Shield's Negril Villas.
Tel.: 957-3112. West Indian. Open: daily 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Coconut
Palm, Sunset at the Palms. Tel.: 957-5350. West Indian, expensive. Open:
daily 7 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Traveller's Tradewinds Restaurant,
Travellers Beach Resort. Tel.: 957-3039.
Runaway, White Sands
Apartments. Jamaican.
Blazing Paradise Beach Grill. Fast food.
Café Carnival. Italian.
Kimono. Non-smoking restaurant, Japanese.
Last Chance Saloon.
American, open-air restaurant.
The Mill. Open-air restaurant by the
pool.
The Seville. Non-smoking restaurant, Jamaican.
Marley´s by the Sea Restaurant & Bar. Open: daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sun Beach Restaurant & Bar. Jamaican, inexpensive.
Seaside Bar &
Grill
Heliconia. Italian.
Lychee. Asian.
Othaeite. Jamaican fine
dining restaurant, reservations required.
Piano Bar. Appetizers.
Open: daily 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The Cassava Terrace Restaurant. Open: for
breakfast 5:30am - 10:30am, lunch 11am - 6pm, dinner 7pm - 9:30pm.
Beach Grill Restaurant. Open: for lunch 11am - 6pm, late guests 10pm -
5am.
Café Lido. American. Open: Tue – Thu, Sat + Sun 6:30 p.m. – 10:00
p.m.
Feather's. Italian.
Gran Terrazza. Open: daily 7:30 a.m. –
10:30 a.m. + 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
La Pasta. Italian. Open: Mon –
Sat 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Munasan. Sushi.
Piacere. French. Open:
Sat – Thu 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Reggea Café. Jamaican.
Timber
House. International.
Negril Tree House
Negril Tree House.
Jamaican, medium. Open: daily 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Tree House Club
Paradise View Hotel
Kristyl's Restaurant
Mojito Beach Bar
Point
Village
Paradisde Garden Café. Pizza, pasta. Open: Sat – Mon, Wed +
Thu 7pm – 10pm.
Sundrenched Bar. Grill restaurant. Open: Restaurant:
daily 11am – 6pm + Thu – Tue 7pm – 10pm, Bar: daily 10am – 1am.
Village Connection. International. Open: Breakfast 7.30am – 10.30am,
lunch 12.30pm – 2.30pm, dinner 7pm – 10pm.
Rayon Hotel
Buck's Pool
Bar
SunRay's
RIU Negril Club
Green Island. Non-smoking
restaurant with terrace.
Luigi. Non-smoking restaurant, Italian.
Shadows. Grill restaurant, smoking area, by the pool.
Sir Andrew.
Non-smoking restaurant.
Coliseum. Salon Bar.
Plaza. Pool Bar.
Welcome. Lobby Bar.
Bloody Bay. Grill restaurant with smoking area, by the pool.
D’Angelo. Pizzeria with smoking area.
Hakuchi. Japanese with smoking
area.
Negril. Non-smoking restaurant.
Sir Anthony. Smoking area.
Plaza. Lobby Bar.
Reggae. Salon Bar.
The Sun. Pool Bar.
Lobster House. Seafood restaurant.
Morgan Bar
3 Dives Jerk Chicken, West End Road, between Xtabi and Pickled
Parrot. Tel.: 957-0845. Jamaican. Open: 12:00 – 0:00.
Archway Cafe,
West End Road. Tel.: 957-4399.
Blue Horizon West, West End Road.
Tel.: 957-0090. International.
Blue Water Ice Cream Parlor, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-0125.
Chez Renee, West End. Tel.: 957-4865.
Chicken Lavish, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4410. Fried chicken.
Choices
Restaurant & Wine Bar, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4841, Fax: 640-0506.
Jamaican. Open: daily 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Dino's Ristorante, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-0429. Italian.
Easy Rock Cafe & Bar, Mary's Bay, West
End Road. Tel.: 957-0671, 957-0816.
Erica's Place, West End Road,
near Coral Seas Cliff Hotel. Tel.: 889-3109. Jamaican, fish.
First &
Last Restaurant, Sheffield Road. Tel.: 957-3758.
Hungry Lion
Restaurant & Bar, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4486. Jamaican.
Jenny´s &
Jacko´s Restaurant, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0807. Jamaican.
Jus
Natural, West End Road, next to Xtabi Hotel. Tel.: 957-0235. Vegetarian.
Kaiser´s Cafe, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0479, 957-0173, Fax: 957-0984.
Seafood restaurant.
L T U Pub, Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0382,
957-4778. International. Open: 7:30 a.m. – midnight.
La-Mar Resort &
Cafe, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4383.
Lighthouse Inn, West End Road.
Tel.: 957-4052. Jamaican.
Lone Star (ex Negril Yacht Club), West End
Road. Tel.: 999-5732.
Love Boat Sports Bar & Grill, West End Road /
Westland Mountain Road. Tel.: 957-0958.
Mary´s Bay Boat Bar & Grill,
West End Road, in front of Mi Yard. Tel.: 957-0981, Fax: 957-0981.
Mi
Yard, West End Road / Westland Mountain Road. Tel.: 957-4442. Jamaican.
Open: 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Mirage Cafe-Au-Lait, Lighthouse Road.
Tel.: 957-0386. French, Jamaican.
Mr. Slice Pizzeria, West End Road /
Westland Mountain Road. Tel.: 957-3520.
Peppa-Pot, Nonpariel Road.
Tel.: 957-3388. Jamaican.
Pirates Cave Bar & Restaurant, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-0925. Jamaican.
Queens Jerk Centre, Nonpariel Road.
Tel.: 957-4316. Jamaican.
Rick's Café, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0380,
957-0131. Jamaican, expensive. Open: daily from 12 noon.
Rock Cliff
Hotel, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4331.
Royale Vegetarian Kitchen, West
End Road. Tel.: 775-0386. Vegetarian.
Sea Star Inn, West End Road.
Tel.: +7-0553, Fax: 640-2473.
Silver Star Cafe, West End Road. Tel.:
957-4345.
Sips & Bites, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0188, Fax: 957-0188.
Jamaican.
Sum Ting Sports Bar & Grill, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0015,
Fax: 957-0888.
Sweet Spice Restaurant, Whitehall Road. Tel.:
957-4621. Jamaican.
Xtabi Cliff Restaurant, West End Road. Tel.:
957-0524. Jamaican. Open: daily 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Coral Seas Plaza -
NCB Plaza, West End Road
Shakey's Pizza Parlour. Tel.: 957-4539.
Negril Vendor's Plaza, also called A Fi Wi Plaza, West End Road
Buck's Restaurant. Tel.: 957-9456.
Deli Delight. Tel.: 957-9456.
Hastings Restaurant. Tel.: 957-3318.
Plaza de Negril – Negril
Square, at the roundabout
Breadbasket. Tel.: 957-4234.
Burger
King. Tel.: 957-9623, 957-9623.
Charley´s Sports Bar. Tel.: 957-9138.
Chick `N´ Plus. Tel.: 957-3540, 957-3707. International.
Juicy J´s
Restaurant. Tel.: 957-4213. Jamaican.
Tait´s Plaza, Negril –
Savanna-La-Mar Main Street
I Scream. Tel.: 957-3639. Ice cream.
Juici Patties. Tel: 957-3982, Fax: 957-9686.
White Swan Plaza, Non
Pariel Road
Hungry Dee's Pastry. Tel.: 957-9859.
Seaview House, Cotton Tree Hotel. Tel.: 957-4925. Chinese. Open: Mon
- Fri 11am - 10pm, Sat 12pm - 10pm, Sun 2pm - 10pm.
Chances, Devine
Destiny Hotel, Summerset Road. Tel.: 957-9184. International, Jamaican,
live music from 6.30pm. Open: daily 10am - 11pm.
Charlie's Cafe &
Bar, Home Sweet Home Resort. Tel.: 957-4478, 957-0287.
Home Sweet
Home, Home Sweet Home Resort. Tel.: 957-4478. Jamaican.
Chez Maurice,
SamSara Hotel. Tel.: 957-4395, 957-9154. French, expensive.
Lobster
House & Bar, Sunrise Club, West End Road. Tel.: 640-2254, 957-4293.
Seafood restaurant, expensive.
The Sands Lounge & Bar, The Caves
Resort, Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0269, Fax: 957-4930.
Winner´s
Sports Bar & Restaurant, Thrills Resort. Tel.: 957-9473, 957-9876.
International.
At irregular intervals, large reggae concerts or music events take
place on the beach at Long Bay in the Bourbon Beach, Risky Business and
Beach Park areas. These can last two or three days or nights. Negril is
flooded with up to 8,000 visitors at such events. It is accordingly
loud, undisciplined and not entirely safe due to drug dealing and
consumption. The music and party scene in Negril hardly starts before 11
p.m. and ends at dawn.
Alfreds Ocean Palace, N. M. B. Tel.:
957-4669, 957-4735, Fax: 957-9674. Price: Entrance fee approx. US$5
depending on the event.
Bourbon Beach Bar & Disco (ex De Buss), N.
M. B. Tel.: 957-4405, Fax: 957-9278. Open: 9pm – 1.30am.
Hedonism II
Disco. Access for non-hotel guests only with pass. The night pass from
6.30pm to 3am costs US$75. Only for people over 18 years of age, with
photo ID. It includes all drinks.
Kaiser's Cafe, West End Road. Tel.:
957-0479, 957-0131.
LTU Pub, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0382, 957-4778.
Margueritaville Tropical Sports Bar, near Beachcomber Club, N.M.B. Tel.:
957-4467.
MX III Reggae Entertainment Complex, West End Road. Tel.:
957-0704.
Mi Yard, West End Road, 1½ km past the roundabout. Tel.:
957-4442. Open: 24 hours a day.
Rick's Cafe, West End Road. Tel.:
957-4335.
Risky Business, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-3008, Fax: 957-4670.
Roots Bamboo Beach, Norman Manley Boulevard. Tel.: 957-4479, 957-9160.
Open: 9 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
Sam Sara Hotel, West End Road. Live music.
Sexy Rexy's Bar, Westend Road, 150m from Rick's Cafe on the water side.
Tel.: 445-3740.
The Jungle Night Club. Tel.: 957-4005, Fax: 957-9424.
Open: Tue - Sun 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Price: Entrance fee: 10 US $.
The order of the hotels is based on the Negril roundabout.
The
Mariner's Beach Hotel, Negril Beach Club Condos, T-Water Hotel and the
Negril Fitness Center near the roundabout are centrally rented out, some
of the apartments are privately owned, some are time-share facilities.
However, further information can be found at: *
http://negrilbeachclub.com
Hotels on the beach from Long Bay to
Bloody Bay
Coral Seas Beach Resort. Tel.: 957-9226, Fax: 957-4724. 32
rooms and studios, restaurant, bar, beach, parasailing, diving. Feature:
★★. Price: Single room 130-135 US $, double room 150-155 US $, studios
150-175 US $.
Shields Negril Villas. Tel.: 957-3112, Fax:
957-3899. 36 rooms and apartments, restaurant, bar, pool bar, pool,
beach.
Travelers Beach Resort. Tel.: 957-3039, 957-9308, Fax:
957-3926. 60 bungalows, suites and rooms, restaurant, bar, pool with
waterfall, beach. Feature: ★★.
Errol's Sunset Cafe & Guest House.
Tel.: 685-1276, 957-3312. 8 cottages and 6 rooms, cafe restaurant + bar
open 24 hours, beach. Price: single room 40-50 US $, double room 50-60
US $.
Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.: 957-4323, Fax: 957-4754. 85
rooms and 8 apartments, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, pool, fitness
center, shopping area, nightclub/live music, horse riding, tennis court,
beach, Aqua Nova diving school. Feature: ★★★. Price: in summer: single
room US$70, double room US$90, studio US$80-130; in winter: single room
US$120, double room US$135, studio US$120-140.
Bar-B-Barn. Tel.:
957-4267, Fax: 957-4679. 24 rooms, 2 restaurants, sports bar, souvenir
shop, car rental, beach. Location: 15 minutes walk from the center.
Feature: ★★. Price: for bed and breakfast: single room/double room
US$120-130: special offers: double room US$70-110.
Sunrise Club
Hotel. Tel.: 957-4293, Fax: 957-3300. 8 rooms, restaurant, bar.
Location: separated from the beach by the main road. Price: all year
round: single room US$60, double room US$95; half board US$35, full
board US$45.
Coral Seas Garden. Tel.: 957-4388, Fax: 957-4269. 26
rooms, restaurant, coffee shop, bar, pool. Location: separated from the
beach by the main road, guests can also use the Sunset on the Cliffs
Resort. Feature: ★★. Price: single room US$95, double room US$115,
studios US$105-130.
The Bungalo Hotel. Tel.: 957-4400, 957-4767. 40
rooms, restaurant, bar, pool. Location: next to Time Square, separated
from the beach by the main road. Price: in summer: double room US$79-99,
6 nights US$414-534; in winter: double room US$99-119, 6 nights
US$534-654.
Kuyaba Beach Resort (ex SeaGem). Tel.: 957-4318, Fax:
957-9765. 40 cottages, restaurant, bar, beach bar, souvenir shop, beach:
Feature: ★★★. Price: single / double room US$113, suite US$124, cottage
US$82-90.
Legends Beach Resort. Tel.: 957-3834, 957-4313, Fax:
957-4073. 50 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, beach. Guests can also use
all the facilities of the SamSara Hotel on the rocky coast! Feature:
★★★. Price: in summer: single/double room 75-85 US$; in winter:
single/double room 110-125 US$.
Jamaica Tamboo Villa. Tel.: 957-4282,
Fax: 957-3911. 22 rooms and cottages, restaurant, beach bar, disco,
beach. Price: in summer: double room 75 US$, cottage 105 US$; in winter:
double room 95 US$, cottage 125 US$.
Merril’s Beach Resort I+II and
Merril’s Beach Resort III. Tel.: 957-4751 (I+II), 957-3322, 957-4033
(III), Fax: 957-3121 (I+II), 957-3121 (III). 134 rooms, restaurant, bar,
beach bar, 2 pools, souvenir shop, beach, sailing, diving. The complex
consists of an older complex and a new building. Feature: ★★★. Price: in
summer: single room 128-169 US$, double room 161-202 US$.
Sea Scape
Hotel. Tel.: 957-4303, Fax: 957-6723. 18 rooms, studios and apartments,
restaurant, pool bar, pool. Location: separated from the beach by the
main road. Price: in summer: single room 40 US$, double room 50 US$,
studio 1 person 50 US$, studio 2 people 65 US$, apartment 60-105 US$; in
winter: single room 50 US$, double room 60 US$, studio 1 person 60 US$,
studio 2 people 75 US$, apartment 70-115 US$.
Hidden Paradise Resort.
Tel.: 957-4404, 957-9219, Fax: 957-4406. 20 rooms and suites,
restaurant, bar, pool. Location: 100m from the beach. Price: in summer:
single/double room US$60-70, suite US$80; in winter: single/double room
US$81-91, suite US$95. All-inclusive summer: 1 person US$90, 2 people
US$150; all-inclusive winter: 1 person US$100, 2 people US$180.
Pineapple Beach (ex Negril Gardens). Tel.: 957-4408, Fax: 957-4374. 65
rooms, restaurant, 2 bars, pool, shopping area, nightclub/live music,
tennis court, beach. The complex belongs to the Sandals group. Feature:
★★★.
Rooms Hotel (ex Negril Inn), N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4209,
957-4370-71, Fax: 957-4365. 57 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, fitness
center, 1 conference room, internet cafe, beach. Location: 3km from the
center. The hotel was renovated in 2008 and taken over by the SuperClubs
chain. Feature: ★★★. Price: 15 minutes US$7, 30 minutes US$12, 60
minutes US$18.
Roots Bamboo. Tel.: 957-4479, Fax: 957-9191. 30 very
simple rooms, restaurant, bar, pool. Price: all year round: single /
double US$22-90.
Fun Holiday Beach. Tel.: 957-3585, 957-9688, Fax:
957-3141. 42 rooms and apartments, beach restaurant, bar, pool, car and
motorbike rental, live music, beach. Price: in summer: single/double
room US$60-83, apartment US$130-145; in winter: single/double room
US$80-110, apartment US$170-185.
Whistling Bird. Tel.: 957-4403. 12
double bungalows and cottages, restaurant, beach bar, beach. Price:
bungalow 1 bedroom US$140, cottage 2 bedrooms US$210.
Rondel Village.
Tel.: 957-4413, Fax: 957-4915. 18 villas and 8 rooms, beach restaurant,
beach bar, pool bar, 2 pools, fitness room, beach, sailing, surfing,
diving. Location: The villas are on the beach, the hotel rooms are
separated from the beach by the main road. Feature: ★★★. Price: in
summer: single / double room US$ 81-150, villa US$ 150; in winter:
single / double room US$ 91-151, villa US$ 207.
Mariposa Hide-Away.
Tel.: 957-4918, Fax: 957-3167. 20 studios and 4 apartments, restaurant,
beach. Price: in summer: studio US$ 60-80, apartment US$ 120; in winter:
studio US$ 80-100, apartment US$ 150.
Nirvana on the Beach. Tel.:
957-4314, Fax: 957-9196. 8 cottages, beach. Price: in summer: cottage
122.50-129.50 US; in winter: cottage 175-185 US $.
White Sands Villas
& Apartments. Tel.: 957-4291, Fax: 957-4647. 39 rooms and apartments,
restaurant, snack bar, bar, pool, souvenir shop, beach. Location: Most
of the rooms are separated from the beach by the main road. Feature: ★★.
Price: in summer: double room 54-75 US $, apartment 94 US $; in winter:
double room 64-90 US $, apartment 125 US $.
For Real Hotel (ex Palm
Beach Hotel). Tel.: 957-9630, Fax: 957-9896. 30 rooms, restaurant,
sports bar, pool, beach.
Moonrise Villas. Tel.: 957-4344. 17 rooms
and 6 studios, pool bar, pool. Location: separated from the beach by the
main road. Feature: ★★. Price: single / double 50-75 US $.
Chippewa
Village. Tel.: 957-4676, 957-9250. 6 apartments and 3 cottages,
restaurant, bar, pool. Location: separated from the beach by the main
road. Price: in summer: double from 45 US $, studio from 80 US $; in
winter: double from 55 US $, studio from 120 US $.
Charela Inn. Tel.:
957-4648-50, Fax: 957-4414. 49 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, boutique,
live music, beach, sailing, surfing, handicapped accessible. Feature:
★★★. Price: Single room US$125-150, double room US$140-170.
Idle
Awhile. Tel.: 957-3302, 957-9566, Fax: 957-3303. 8 rooms and 6 suites,
restaurant, bar, gym, beach. Guests can use the sports facilities at the
Swept Away Hotel. Price: in summer: double room US$130-150, suite
US$200-230; in winter: double room US$210, suite US$270-335.
Coco La
Palm. Tel.: 957-4227, Fax: 957-3460. 74 rooms, 2 restaurants, bar, pool
bar, 2 pools, boutique, gym, beach. Feature: ★★★★. Price: single/double
135-175 US$.
Rayon Hotel. Tel.: 957-9166, Fax: 957-9387. 15 rooms,
restaurant, pool bar, pool, souvenir shop, tennis court, beach.
Location: separated from the beach by the main road. Price: in summer:
single/double 70-90 US$, suite 95 US$; in winter: single/double 80-100
US$, suite 105 US$.
Firefly Beach Cottages. Tel.: 957-4358, Fax:
957-3447. Apartments and 4 cottages, bar, pool, beach. Nudist complex!
Price: in summer: cottage for 2 people 87 US$, apartment for 4-6 people
109-132 US$; in winter: cottage for 2 people US$117, apartment for 4-6
people US$145-177.
Moon Dance Villas. Tel.: 957-9000. 6 villas with
1-5 bedrooms, pool bar, pool, beach, sailing. Price: in summer: villa
US$600-1,700; in winter: villa US$700-2,000. All rental prices excluding
taxes. Inclusive of all drinks and full board US$95 per person per day.
Beachcomber Club. Tel.: 957-4170-71, Fax: 957-4097. 46 apartments,
studios and suites, all-inclusive resort. Restaurant, bar, pool,
boutique, nightclub/live music, tennis court, horseback riding, fishing,
beach, surfing, diving. Feature: ★★★★. Price: in summer: double room
120-140 US$, studio 150 US$, apartment 165-180 US$; in winter: double
room 150-175 US$, studio 185 US$, apartment 220-235 US$.
Crystal
Waters. Tel.: 957-4284, Fax: 957-4889. 10 villa apartments, pool,
children's playground, beach. Price: in summer: villa 110-125 US$; in
winter: villa 150-165 US$.
Country Country Resort. Tel.: 957-4273,
957-4341, Fax: 957-4342. 20 cottages, 2 restaurants, beach bar, beach.
The hotel has the same owner as the Coyaba Beach Resort in Montego Bay.
Feature: ★★★. Price: in summer: single room 90-110 US $, double room
120-140 US $; in winter: single room 130-150 US $, double room 160-180
US $.
Negril Tree House. Tel.: 957-4287, Fax: 957-4386. 55 rooms and
12 suites, restaurant, 2 bars, pool, boutique, gym, conference room;
beach, parasailing, diving, waterskiing. Feature: ★★★. Price: in summer:
single/double 100-130 US$; in winter: single/double 145-165 US$.
Sea
Splash. Tel.: 957-4041-43, Fax: 957-4049. 21 suites, 2 restaurants,
beach bar, pool, souvenir shop, gym, horseback riding, beach, sailing,
surfing, diving. Location: 3km from the center. Feature: ★★★. Price: in
summer: single US$115-135, double US$135-155, suite US$79-99; in winter:
single US$219-243, double US$247-267, suite US$157-182.
Sea Sand Eco
Villas (ex Native Son Villas). Tel.: 892-6935, Fax: 957-9789. 4 villas,
beach. Price: in summer: villa US$160-280; in winter: villa US$220-370.
The Palms (ex Paradise View). Tel.: 957-4375, Fax: 957-4661. 34 rooms,
boutique hotel, restaurant, bar, pool, souvenir shop, beach. Feature:
★★★. Price: Summer: Single US$137-156, Double US$149-169, Winter: Single
US$176-215, Double US$202-240.
Foote Prints on the Sands. Tel.:
957-4300, Fax: 957-4301. 30 rooms and studios, restaurant, beach bar,
gym, fishing, beach, diving. Feature: ★★★. Price: Summer: Double
US$99-110; Winter: Double US$156-169.
Couples Swept Away. Tel.:
957-4061, 957-3258, Fax: 957-4060. 134 suites, all-inclusive hotel -
couples only. 4 restaurants, 9 bars, 2 pools, boutique, duty-free
supermarket, fitness center, health center, shopping mall, nightclub /
disco, horseback riding, sauna, 10 tennis courts, fishing, beach,
sailing, surfing, diving, parasailing. Location: 4½ km from the center.
Feature: ★★★★★. Price: in summer: suite 550-693 US $; in winter: suite
690-844 US $.
Beaches Negril. Tel.: 957-9270-77, Fax: 957-9269. 180
rooms and 45 suites, all-inclusive hotel of the Sandals chain. 5
restaurants, 6 bars, 2 pools, children's pool, souvenir shop, car
rental, boutique, disco, fitness center, children's club, mini golf,
sauna, tennis, wellness center, PADI diving school, beach, kayaks,
sailing, surfing, diving. Location: 5km from the town centre. Feature:
★★★★★.
Beaches Sandy Bay (ex Poinciana). Tel.: 957-5100-03,
957-5221-13, Fax: 957-5227. 128 rooms, all-inclusive hotel of the
Sandals chain. 4 restaurants, 3 bars, 2 pools, evening entertainment,
disco, fitness centre, children's club, shopping area, nightclub / live
music, horse riding, 1 floodlit tennis court, table tennis, SunDivers
diving school, beach, kayaks, paddle boats, sailing, surfing, diving,
water skiing. Location: 6km from the centre. Feature: ★★★★. Price:
single room 249-358 US$, double room 379-487 US$.
Our Past Time
Villas (ex Sundowner). Tel.: 957-5105, Fax: 957-5422. 16 rooms, studios
and apartments, restaurant, bar, beach. Feature: ★★. Price: in summer:
double room 70-90 US $, studio 90-120 US $, apartment 130-200 US $; in
winter: double room 100-120 US $, studio 110-130 US $, apartment 210-240
US $. Rental prices plus 15% tax and 10% service.
Sandals Negril
Beach. Tel.: 957-5216-17, 957-3344 (reservations), Fax: 957-5338. 223
rooms and suites, all-inclusive hotel, couples only. 5 restaurants, 4
bars, 2 pools, evening entertainment, animation, fitness centre, retail
outlets, nightclub/disco, air-conditioned squash court, 4 floodlit
tennis courts, table tennis, wellness centre, beach, paddle boats,
sailing, surfing, diving, water skiing, disabled access. Feature: ★★★★★.
Price: US$3,220-4,705 per week.
Hedonism II, Rutland Point. Tel:
957-5070, 957-5200, Fax: 518-5369. 280 rooms, all-inclusive SuperClub
Hotel, no children. Restaurants, 4 bars, nudist bar, piano bar, pool,
animation, fitness center, shopping area, nightclub / disco, riding
stables, 2 air-conditioned squash courts, 6 floodlit tennis courts,
table tennis, beach, nudist beach, surfing, diving, water skiing,
disabled access. Feature: ★★★★. Price: 3 nights US$579-789, 7 nights
US$1099-1499.
Point Village, Rutland Point. Tel.: 957-5170-79, Fax:
957-5351. 150 studios, suites and townhouses, resort hotel. 2
restaurants, grill restaurant, 2 bars, beach bar, 3 pools, fitness room,
kids' club, shopping area, nightclub / live music, tennis court,
SunDivers diving school, beach, nudist beach, disabled access. Feature:
★★★★. Price: in summer: Studio single 170-190 US$, Studio double 250-270
US$, Suite single 200-250 US$, Suite double 280-330 US$, Townhouse
double 370- US$; in winter: Studio single 210-240 US$, Studio double
280-320 US$, Suite single 260-320, Suite double 330-400 US$, Townhouse
double 420-550 US$. Minimum 3 nights.
Grand Lido Negril, Rutland
Point. Tel.: 957-5010-15, Fax: 957-5517. 210 rooms, all-inclusive
SuperClub hotel - no children under 16. 6 restaurants, 9 bars, piano
bar, 2 pools, animation, fitness center, shopping area, nightclub /
disco, riding stables, 4 floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, beach,
nudist, sailing, surfing, diving, water skiing, private yacht,
handicapped accessible. Feature: ★★★★★. Price: 3 nights US$960-1220, 7
nights US$1850-2390.
Couples Negril, Bloody Bay. Tel.: 957-5960, Fax:
975-5858. 234 suites, all-inclusive hotel - couples only. 3 restaurants,
4 bars, pool bar, 2 pools, entertainment, billiards, boutiques, fitness
center, health center, 4 tennis courts, 2 of which are floodlit, table
tennis, 7 hectares of gardens, beach, jet skiing, parasailing, sailing,
surfing, diving, water skiing. Location: 80 km from Montego Bay, close
to the regional airport. Feature: ★★★★★. Price: all year round: Suite
670-924 US $.
Sunset at the Palms (ex Negril Cabins). Tel.: 957-5350,
Fax: 957-5381. 86 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, freshwater pool,
souvenir shop, fitness center, kids' club, games room, 1 tennis court,
horse riding, beach, diving. Location: Separated from the beach by the
main road, 12 km from the center. Feature: ★★★. Price: Single room
128-150 US$, double room 150-176 US$.
RIU Tropical Bay, Bloody Bay.
Tel.: 957-5900, Fax: 957-5727. 416 rooms, all-inclusive hotel. 5
restaurants, 2 bars, pool bar, sports bar, beach bar, 2 pools,
children's pool, internet cafe, entertainment, boutiques, disco, fitness
room, children's program, 2 floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, sauna,
wellness center, beach, nudist beach, kayaks, sailing, surfing, diving.
The hotel was completely rebuilt and renovated in 2008/2009. Feature:
★★★★.
RIU Negril Club, Bloody Bay. Tel.: 957-5700, Fax: 957-5020. 420
rooms, all-inclusive hotel. 4 restaurants, 5 bars, 2 pools, children's
pool, evening entertainment, souvenir shop, animation, beach volleyball,
disco "Pacha", gym, sauna, sports field, 2 floodlit tennis courts, table
tennis, wellness center, beach, kayaks, catamaran, sailing, surfing,
diving. Feature: ★★★★.
Cotton Tree Place, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4450, Fax: 957-4773. 35
rooms, restaurant, pool bar, pool, souvenir shop. Feature: ★★. Price: in
summer: single room 40-45 US$, double room 45-50 US$. infoedit
Hilltop Village, Hermitage Road. Tel.: 640-0122, Fax: 640-0522. 18
apartments and studios, pool. Price: in summer: studio 50-55 US$,
apartment 55-100 US$; in winter: studio 55-65 US$, apartment 65-110 US$.
Falcon Cottages, Alaska Drive. Tel.: 957-4263, Fax: 957-4921. Cottages,
restaurant, bar, pool. Location: separated from the sea by the main
road. Price: in summer: single room US$35, double room US$45; in winter:
single room US$40, double room US$50-60.
Heartbeat, West End Road.
Tel.: 957-4329, Fax: 957-0069. 4 rooms + 4 studios + stilt houses,
restaurant. Location: on the cliffs above the sea. Price: in summer:
double room US$45, studio US$45, stilt house US$88; in winter: double
room US$55, studio US$85, stilt house US$110. All prices include taxes.
Home Sweet Home, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4478, 957-0287. 12 rooms + 2
suites, restaurant, bar, pool, souvenir shop. Price: in summer: double
room US$74, suite US$150-180, penthouse US$150; in winter: double room
US$110, suite US$175-250, penthouse US$200.
Tigress II, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-4249, Fax: 957-0453. Rooms, restaurant, bar, pool.
Location: on a hill. Price: for bed and breakfast in summer: double room
US$49-69, in winter: double room US$59-94.
Blue Cave Castle Hotel,
West End Road. Tel.: 957-4845, Fax: 957-4845. 12 rooms + 1 penthouse.
Price: in summer: single room US$35-45, double room US$45-75, penthouse
US$80; in winter: single room US$60-70, double room US$75-85, penthouse
US$120.
Moonlight Villa, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4838. Price: in
summer: single room US$40, double room US$50; in winter: single room
US$60, double room US$70 + 15% tax.
Villa LaCage, West End Road.
Tel.: 957-4114, Fax: 957-0217. 25 rooms, restaurant, pool bar, pool.
Price: in summer: single room/double room US$45-55; in winter: single
room/double room US$55-60.
SamSara Hotel, West End Road. Tel.:
957-4395, 957-9154, Fax: 957-4073. 50 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars,
pool, billiards, regular live music and concerts; 1 tennis court, table
tennis. Location: on the cliff by the sea, 3 km from the sandy beach.
Guests can also use all the facilities of the Legends Hotel. Feature:
★★★. Price: in summer: single / double room 50-70 US $, stilt house 75
US $; in winter: single / double room 75-95 US $, stilt house 110 US $.
Xtabi Resort, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0120-21, Fax: 957-0827. 20 rooms
+ 6 cottages, restaurant, bar, pool, SunDivers diving school. Price: in
summer: single / double room 49-59 US $, suite 87 US $, cottage 120 US
$; in winter: single/double room US$65-90, suite US$110, cottage US$210.
Rock House Resort, Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-4373, Fax: 957-0557. 10
villas, 12 studios + 6 rooms, restaurant, pool bar, pool, boutique.
Location: on cliffs by the sea, 4km from the Negril roundabout. Feature:
★★★★. Price: in summer: single/double room US$95, studio US$125, villa
US$225-275; in winter: single/double room US$125, studio US$150, villa
US$275-325.
Thrills Hotel, West End Road. Tel.: 957-4152, 957-4390,
Fax: 957-4153. 30 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, floodlit tennis court.
Price: in summer: single room US$55, double room US$60; in winter:
single room US$65, double room US$75.
Coral Seas Cliff, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-0785, Fax: 957-9753. 22 rooms and studios, restaurant,
bar, pool. Location: stairs in the cliffs lead to the sea. Feature: ★★.
Price: in summer: single room US$50-60, double room US$55-65, studios
US$75-80; in winter: single room US$70-80, double room US$80-90, studios
US$90-95. All prices include taxes.
Rock Cliff, Lighthouse Road.
Tel.: 957-4331, Fax: 957-4108. 33 rooms, restaurant, 2 bars, pool, gym.
Live music. Location: on cliffs directly by the sea. Feature: ★★★.
Price: in summer: single/double US$70-125, suite US$240; in winter:
single/double US$132, suite US$333.
Mirage Resort, Lighthouse Road.
Tel.: 957-0386. 11 rooms, restaurant, bar. Price: in summer: single
US$60, double US$70; in winter: single US$80, double US$110 Rental
prices include taxes.
Primrose Inn, Primrose Lane. Tel.: 640-2029,
771-0069. 5 rooms. Each room with private bathroom and fan, shared
kitchen. Price: in summer: single/double US$25 per person, in winter:
single/double US$30-35 per person.
Devine Destiny, Summerset Road.
Tel.: 957-9184, Fax: 957-3846. 40 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool bar,
pool, boutique, nightclub/live music, horse riding. Location: free
shuttle bus to the beach. Feature: ★★★. Price: single/double US$62-77,
suite US$126.
Summerset Village, Summerset Road. Tel.: 957-4079,
957-4409, Fax: 640-2389. 45 rooms + cottages, restaurant, bar, pool,
nightclub/disco, child-friendly, SunDivers diving school. Location: 300m
from the sea. Price: in summer: double room 523-635 US$ per person,
cottage 635 US$ per person; in winter: double room 593-775 US$ per
person, cottage 775 US$ per person, prices per week, including 8 dives
and half board.
Tensing Pen Cottages, Lighthouse Road. Tel.:
957-0387, Fax: 957-0161. 17 cottages and villas, restaurant, bar,
souvenir shop. Price: in summer: double room 103-124
Catcha Falling
Star, West End Road. Tel.: 957-0390, Fax: 957-0629. 4 cottages.
Location: next to Rick's Cafe. Price: in summer: cottage 60-116 US $; in
winter: cottage 80-190 US $.
Banana Shout, West End Road. Tel.:
957-0384. 4 cottages. Location: on the cliffs above the sea, 600m from
the lighthouse. Price: in summer: cottage 1-2 people 80-100 US $, 3-4
people 120-150 US $; in winter: cottage 1-2 people 120-150 US $, 3-4
people 150-200 US $ Rental price plus 16.5% tax.
Villas Sur Mer,
Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0377, Fax: 957-0177. 4 suites, pool.
Location: on the cliffs, directly on the sea. Price: in summer: double
room 170 US $; in winter: double room 185 US $.
Citronella Cottages,
Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0379, 957-0550. 5 cottages. Location: on the
cliffs above the sea with several caves open to the sea. Price: in
summer: cottage 65-200 US $; in winter: cottage 80-200 US $.
The
Caves Resort, Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0269, Fax: 957-4930. 10
cottages, restaurant, bar with 24-hour self-service, saltwater pool,
Aveda bath, sauna. Location: next to the lighthouse. Price: for
all-inclusive in summer: cottage from US$515; in winter: cottage from
US$665.
The Westender Inn (ex Hog Heaven), Lighthouse Road. Tel.:
957-4991, Fax: 957-4991. 12 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool. Location: on
the cliffs above the sea. Price: all year round: double room US$60-80.
L T U Pub & Villas, Lighthouse Road. Tel.: 957-0382. 13 villa rooms &
studios, restaurant, bar, diving school. Price: in summer: double room
US$65, studio US$45-55, air conditioning US$10 per night; in winter:
double room US$65, studio US$50-60, air conditioning US$10 per night.
Long Bay Medical & Wellness Centre, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-9028.
Negril Health Centre, Non Pariel Road / Red Ground Road. Tel.: 957-4926.
Open: Office hours: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Negril Medical Center,
N. M. B., opposite Negril Beach Club Condos. Open: daily.
Negril
Beach Medical Centre, N. M. B. Tel.: 957-4888. 24-hour emergency
service. Open: Office hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Laboratory: Tue - Fri 9.30
a.m. - 2 p.m.
Omega Medical Centre, Plaza de Negril. Tel.: 957-9307,
Fax: 957-9653.
Baywatch Pharmacy, Kings Plaza. Tel.: 957-3941, Fax: 957-4968.
Key
West Pharmacy, Sunshine Village Shopping Centre. Tel.: 957-4081.
Madison Pharmacy, White Swan Plaza. Tel.: 957-4975, 957-9560.
Negril
Pharmacy, Plaza de Negril. Tel.: 957-4076, Fax: 957-9082. Open: Mon -
Sat 9am - 7pm, Sun 10am - 4pm.
Negril Vision Center, Coral Seas Plaza. Tel.: 957-3654, Fax: 957-3654.
Banks
National Commercial Bank, Sunshine Village Plaza, West End
Road. Tel.: 957-4117, 957-4239, Fax: 957-4118.
Scotiabank, Plaza de
Negril. Tel.: 957-4236-37. ATM. Open: Mon - Thurs 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.,
Fri 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
International money transfer
Western
Union, Hi-Lo Supermarket, Sunshine Village.
Police
Negril
Police Station, Negril - Savanna-La-Mar Main Road. Tel.: 957-4148, Fax:
957-4149.
Post Office
Post Office, West End Road. Tel.:
957-9654. Open: Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Internet Café
Bananaz Internet Café, next to the park at the Craft Market, roundabout.
Tel.: 957-9402.
Café Taino, opposite Negril Beach Club Condos. Tel.:
957-4380, 957-9813 (Manager).
Easy Rock Cafe & Bar, Mary's Bay, West
End Road. Tel.: 957-0671, 957-0816.
Net2Market.com. Tel.: 956-3639.
Island Multimedia Solutions. Tel.: 957-0455.
Surf-N-Talk Internet
Café. Tel.: 957-4795. Open: Mon - Fri from 8:30 a.m., Sat from 9:00 a.m.
+ Sun from 10:00 a.m. Price: 1 US $ for 10 minutes.
Before European contact, the area that would become Negril was inhabited by the Taíno (Arawak) people, who arrived in Jamaica around 600 AD. The Taíno called the island “Xaymaca,” meaning “land of wood and water,” and thrived in the fertile coastal plains and wetlands of western Jamaica. Negril’s geography—its sandy beaches, the Negril Great Morass, and the fish-rich waters of the Caribbean—supported their fishing, farming, and trading lifestyle. Archaeological evidence, such as shell middens and canoe remnants, suggests seasonal settlements along the coast, with the Morass providing resources like reeds and turtles. The Taíno left a linguistic legacy in place names like “Negril,” derived from the Spanish “Negrillo” (little black one), possibly referencing the dark eels or mangroves of the area, though their population was decimated by disease and enslavement after Spanish arrival in 1494.
Christopher Columbus landed on Jamaica’s north coast in 1494, claiming it for Spain, but Negril remained a peripheral outpost during Spanish rule. The colonizers focused on inland settlements like Sevilla la Nueva and Villa de la Vega (Spanish Town), exploiting Taíno labor for gold panning and cattle ranching. Negril’s western coast, isolated by the Great Morass and lacking mineral wealth, saw little development, serving mainly as a fishing ground and occasional stop for Spanish ships. By the early 17th century, escaped Taíno and African slaves— precursors to the Maroons—found refuge in the Morass’s dense swamps, laying the groundwork for a resistant undercurrent. Spanish control ended in 1655 when an English expedition under Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables captured Jamaica, ushering in British rule.
Under British control, Negril remained a backwater compared to
sugar-rich parishes like St. James. The town’s name, “Negril,” appeared
in English records by the late 17th century, tied to its Spanish roots
and the black eels noted by early settlers. The British established
sugar plantations inland, but Negril’s sandy soils and swampy hinterland
limited large-scale agriculture, relegating it to small fishing and
subsistence farming communities. The Negril Point Lighthouse, built in
1894 on the cliffs of West End, marked its first significant colonial
structure, guiding ships along the treacherous western coast.
The
Great Morass, spanning 6,000 acres, shaped Negril’s early economy—its
peat and timber were harvested modestly, while its waterways supported
fishing. Enslaved Africans, brought to work nearby plantations, formed
the backbone of the population, their descendants later shaping the
town’s cultural fabric after emancipation in 1838. The Morass also
harbored Maroons, who resisted British rule from its impenetrable
swamps, a legacy of defiance that lingered in local lore.
After emancipation, Negril evolved into a quiet fishing village, with
freed Africans establishing small homesteads along the coast and Morass
edges. The abolition of slavery shifted the economy to subsistence
fishing and farming—coconuts, bananas, and yams—supplemented by trade
with passing ships. The town’s isolation, lacking roads or significant
ports, kept it off Jamaica’s economic map, with its population numbering
just a few hundred by the early 20th century. The West End cliffs and
Long Bay (later Seven Mile Beach) remained largely untouched, their
beauty known only to locals and occasional adventurers.
The early
20th century saw incremental change. The Negril Point Lighthouse,
automated in the 1950s, became a local landmark, while rudimentary
trails connected Negril to Savanna-la-Mar, 15 miles (24 kilometers)
south. World War II briefly spotlighted the area when the U.S. military
considered it for a base, but plans fizzled, leaving Negril’s
tranquility intact. By the 1950s, its pristine beaches and cliffs began
attracting a trickle of visitors—fishermen, artists, and
explorers—setting the stage for its tourism awakening.
Negril’s modern history ignited in the 1960s as Jamaica embraced
independence in 1962 and sought to diversify its economy through
tourism. The town’s Seven Mile Beach—actually 4 miles (6.4 kilometers)
of powdery white sand—and West End cliffs caught the eye of travelers,
drawn by its unspoiled beauty and remoteness. Early visitors were
hippies and counterculture seekers from North America and Europe, lured
by tales of Negril’s laid-back vibe and natural splendor. Word spread
through travel magazines and guidebooks, dubbing it a “paradise lost,”
free of the commercialism overtaking Montego Bay.
The 1970s
marked Negril’s tourism boom. Small guesthouses and beach shacks sprang
up along Long Bay, catering to budget travelers who camped, swam nude,
and embraced the town’s nascent reggae scene. The opening of Negril
Beach Village (later Hedonism II) in 1976 by John Issa introduced
all-inclusive resorts, shifting the demographic to include wealthier
tourists while preserving the town’s free-spirited ethos. The West End’s
cliffside cottages—like Rick’s Café, founded in 1974—became hotspots for
sunset dives and live music, cementing Negril’s reputation as a bohemian
retreat. By the 1980s, its population grew to several thousand,
bolstered by tourism jobs, though its infrastructure—unpaved roads,
limited electricity—lagged, enhancing its rustic charm.
The 1990s saw Negril solidify its status as a top Jamaican
destination, with luxury resorts like Sandals Negril and Couples Negril
joining the landscape, alongside boutique hotels on the cliffs. The
Seven Mile Beach, ranked among the world’s best, drew 300,000–400,000
visitors annually by the 2000s, supported by Sangster International
Airport in Montego Bay, 50 miles (80 kilometers) east. The Negril Great
Morass gained attention with the Royal Palm Reserve’s establishment in
1989, spotlighting its ecological value and adding eco-tourism to the
mix.
Hurricanes posed challenges—Gilbert (1988), Ivan (2004), and
Dean (2007) battered the coast, damaging resorts and eroding beaches,
yet Negril’s resilience shone through with swift rebuilds. The 2010s
brought infrastructure upgrades—paved roads, expanded utilities, and the
Negril Aerodrome for small planes—balancing growth with its chill
reputation. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 slashed tourism, but recovery
by 2023 saw visitor numbers rebound, with events like Reggae Marathon
(launched 2000) and Negril Music Festival reinforcing its cultural draw.
By 2025, Negril’s population hovers around 6,000–7,000 in the urban
area, swelled by seasonal workers and expatriates. Tourism drives the
economy—hotels, restaurants, and water sports employ over 60% of
locals—while fishing and small-scale farming persist, tied to its roots.
Efforts to protect the Morass and reefs, led by groups like NEPT,
address overdevelopment and pollution, ensuring Negril’s natural allure
endures amidst its evolution into a global resort haven.
Negril, Jamaica, is a coastal town and resort destination located on the westernmost tip of the island, spanning parts of Westmoreland and Hanover parishes. Known for its stunning Seven Mile Beach, dramatic limestone cliffs, and proximity to the Negril Great Morass, Negril’s geography is a striking blend of tropical coastal features, wetland ecosystems, and rugged uplands. Positioned approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Montego Bay and 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Kingston, it occupies a unique corner of Jamaica’s western coast, offering a diverse landscape that has shaped its history as a fishing village turned tourism hub.
Negril lies at coordinates approximately 18.268°N latitude and
78.348°W longitude, forming the western extremity of Jamaica along the
Caribbean Sea. It straddles the border of Westmoreland Parish to the
south and Hanover Parish to the north, with its urban center focused
around Long Bay in Westmoreland. Key regional boundaries include:
East: The Negril Hills, rising to 1,000 feet (305 meters), separate
Negril from inland towns like Savanna-la-Mar, 15 miles (24 kilometers)
away.
South: The South Negril River and Negril Great Morass, a vast
wetland extending inland from the coast.
West and North: The
Caribbean Sea, with Negril Point marking the westernmost landfall,
facing open waters toward Cuba, 130 miles (210 kilometers) north.
Negril’s position on Jamaica’s leeward coast shelters it from the
northeast trade winds that batter the island’s north shore, contributing
to its calm seas and gentle climate. Its isolation from major urban
centers—connected by the A1 highway and winding coastal roads—has
preserved its natural character, though its proximity to Sangster
International Airport in Montego Bay has fueled its tourism growth.
Negril’s topography divides into two distinct zones: the flat coastal
plain of Long Bay and the rugged cliffs of the West End, with the Negril
Hills forming an eastern backdrop:
Long Bay (Seven Mile Beach): A
low-lying coastal strip, averaging 3–10 feet (1–3 meters) above sea
level, stretches 4 miles (6.4 kilometers)—often exaggerated to “Seven
Mile”—from Bloody Bay in Hanover to the Negril River mouth in
Westmoreland. This crescent of white sand and coral-derived sediment is
fringed by a shallow shelf, ideal for swimming and water sports.
West
End Cliffs: South and west of Long Bay, limestone cliffs rise sharply to
30–50 feet (9–15 meters) above the sea, sculpted by wave erosion into
jagged outcrops and caves. Negril Point, at the western tip, hosts the
Negril Lighthouse at 100 feet (30 meters), offering panoramic ocean
views.
Negril Hills: Inland to the east, these rolling limestone
uplands climb to 1,000 feet (305 meters), part of a karst landscape
dotted with sinkholes and caves, transitioning into the Dolphin Head
Mountains further south.
The Great Morass, a flat peat bog at
near sea level, extends inland from Long Bay, its swampy expanse
contrasting with the cliffs and hills, creating a varied terrain within
a compact area.
Negril’s geography is defined by its interplay of freshwater and
marine systems:
Caribbean Sea: The western and northern shores face
calm, turquoise waters, with a fringing coral reef 0.5–1 mile (0.8–1.6
kilometers) offshore, historically rich with coral and fish but impacted
by bleaching and tourism pressure. Depths drop gradually to 100 feet (30
meters) beyond the reef, supporting snorkeling and diving.
Negril
River: Originating in the Fish River Hills, this small river flows 9.3
miles (15 kilometers) through the Morass, emptying into Long Bay at the
beach’s southern end. Its sluggish, meandering course shapes the town’s
southern boundary.
South Negril River: A shorter stream draining the
Morass, it flows into the sea near Orange Bay, marking the reserve’s
western edge.
Negril Great Morass: Covering 6,000 acres (2,428
hectares), this wetland—Jamaica’s second largest—stretches inland from
the coast, a mosaic of peat bogs, open water, and swamp forest fed by
rainfall and springs from the Negril Hills. The Royal Palm Reserve
within it protects a rare stand of Morass Royal Palms.
Bloody
Bay, a smaller crescent north of Long Bay, offers a sheltered anchorage,
historically used by pirates and loggers, now lined with resorts. Caves
along the West End cliffs—some accessible by boat—add a rugged coastal
charm, their interiors echoing with waves.
Negril enjoys a tropical wet-and-dry climate (Köppen Aw), moderated
by its western coastal position:
Temperature: Averages 77–86°F
(25–30°C) year-round, with highs reaching 90°F (32°C) in summer
(June–August) and lows dipping to 72°F (22°C) in winter
(December–February). Sea breezes keep it cooler than inland areas.
Rainfall: Annual precipitation totals 60–80 inches (1,500–2,000
millimeters), with a wet season (May–November) peaking in October (6–10
inches/150–250 mm monthly) and a dry season (December–April) averaging
1–3 inches (25–75 mm). Hurricanes, like Ivan (2004) and Dean (2007),
bring storm surges and erosion.
Winds: Sheltered from northeast
trades, Negril experiences gentler westerly breezes (5–15 mph/8–24 kph),
though tropical storms can whip up stronger gusts.
Its leeward
location reduces rainfall compared to Jamaica’s north coast, enhancing
its appeal as a beach destination.
Negril’s geography supports diverse ecosystems:
Coastal Zone: Long
Bay’s beach is fringed by coconut palms, sea grapes, and low scrub, with
resorts planting hibiscus and bougainvillea. The reef offshore hosts
diminished coral, parrotfish, and stingrays, impacted by tourism and
warming seas.
Wetland Forest (Great Morass): The Morass features
Morass Royal Palms (Roystonea princeps), buttonwood, bull thatch, and
mangroves (red, black, white), with over 114 plant species. It’s a haven
for birds—Jamaican oriole, whistling duck—plus crocodiles, turtles, and
crabs.
Cliffs and Hills: The West End’s limestone supports dry
forest—mahogany, lignum vitae, and cacti—while the Negril Hills harbor
hardwood coppice and ferns in sinkholes, with mongooses and bats common.
The Morass acts as a natural sponge, filtering water and buffering
floods, though development threatens its edges with drainage and
pollution.
Negril’s urban area centers on Long Bay and the West End, with a
population of 6,000–7,000 swelled by seasonal workers:
Long Bay: A
strip along Norman Manley Boulevard, lined with resorts (Sandals,
Hedonism II), bars, and shops, extends from Bloody Bay to the Negril
River. Its flat terrain hosts dense tourism infrastructure.
West End:
Along West End Road, cliffside hotels (e.g., The Caves), cottages, and
Rick’s Café perch above the sea, with narrow, winding streets preserving
a rustic feel.
Sheffield and Inland: Small villages like Sheffield,
near the Morass, house locals tied to fishing and farming, connected by
dirt tracks.
The A1 Highway links Negril to Montego Bay, while
West End Road branches off to the cliffs. The Negril Aerodrome, a small
airstrip near Long Bay, serves private flights, though most visitors
arrive via Sangster International, 50 miles away. The town’s layout hugs
the coast, with the Morass limiting inland expansion, maintaining its
beach-and-cliff duality.
Negril’s cultural roots stretch back to the Taíno (Arawak) people, who fished its waters and harvested the Negril Great Morass before Spanish colonization in 1494 decimated their population. The British takeover in 1655 introduced African slaves to work inland plantations, with their descendants shaping Negril’s modern identity after emancipation in 1838. As a small fishing village through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Negril remained isolated, fostering a tight-knit community reliant on the sea and swamp. The 1960s tourism boom—sparked by hippies drawn to its Seven Mile Beach and West End cliffs—infused a countercultural spirit, blending local traditions with a global, free-spirited ethos that endures today. This mix of indigenous, African, colonial, and modern influences defines Negril’s unique cultural fabric.
Negril’s primary language is Jamaican Patois, a Creole fusion of
English and West African dialects like Akan and Igbo, spoken with a
melodic, lilting cadence. Phrases like “Yuh haffi chill, man” (You have
to relax) or “Negril a di vibe” capture its easygoing essence,
reflecting a slower pace than Kingston’s urban hustle. Standard English
appears in tourism settings—hotels, tour guides—but Patois dominates
daily life, from fishermen haggling at Bloody Bay to vendors along
Norman Manley Boulevard. Its nautical past adds seafaring slang—“reel it
in” or “cast off”—while the town’s hippie legacy sprinkles in phrases
like “peace and love.”
Oral traditions thrive, with fishermen
sharing tales of pirate ghosts haunting the cliffs or the Taíno spirits
of the Morass. The legend of Negril’s “black eels,” tied to its Spanish
name “Negrillo,” weaves into local storytelling, often told over rum at
Rick’s Café or beachside bonfires. These narratives, passed down through
generations, blend African griot practices with Jamaican flair, keeping
history alive in a community where literacy was once secondary to
survival.
Music is Negril’s heartbeat, deeply tied to Jamaica’s reggae
heritage. Born in Kingston’s ghettos, reggae took root here in the 1960s
as hippies embraced Bob Marley’s anthems—“One Love,” “Three Little
Birds”—played live at beach bars like Alfred’s Ocean Palace or piped
through speakers at West End shacks. Local bands perform at venues like
Bourbon Beach, blending roots reggae with mento (Jamaican folk) and ska,
often using banjos and gourds for a rustic sound. Dancehall, reggae’s
edgier offspring, pulses at weekend parties, with artists like Vybz
Kartel inspiring moves like “bruk out” and “whine” among locals and
tourists.
Dance is spontaneous—fishermen sway to rhythms while
mending nets, and cliff divers at Rick’s Café time leaps to beats,
turning a stunt into a performance. The annual Negril Music Festival
(dates vary) and smaller events like Reggae Sundays at Roots Bamboo
amplify this soundscape, drawing crowds to dance under the stars, a
fusion of local talent and visitor energy that defines Negril’s
nightlife.
Negril’s food culture is a seafood-centric celebration of its coastal
roots, infused with African, Taíno, and British flavors. Jerk fish, a
local twist on the Portland-born classic, smokes snapper or parrotfish
over pimento wood with Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice, served at
roadside stalls or cliffside eateries like Pushcart ($10–$15 USD). Fried
fish with bammy, cassava flatbread soaked in coconut milk, is a
fisherman’s staple, fresh from Long Bay’s waters, while conch
soup—spiced with yam and green banana—warms the soul at places like
Cosmo’s. Escovitch fish, marinated in vinegar with onions and peppers,
nods to colonial influences, paired with festival, sweet fried
dumplings.
Rum flows freely—Appleton Estate or Wray & Nephew
overproof fuels “rum punch” with pineapple and lime, sipped at sunset
from cliff bars. Markets brim with mangoes, coconuts, and ackee, the
national fruit often cooked with saltfish, a breakfast favorite at
guesthouses. Negril’s cuisine is communal—beach fish fries or hotel
buffets see locals and tourists sharing plates, a tradition of
hospitality rooted in its fishing-village past.
Negril’s traditions blend its maritime heritage with tourism’s modern
imprint:
Cliff Diving at Rick’s Café: Since its 1974 opening, diving
off the 35-foot (10-meter) West End cliffs into turquoise waters has
become a ritual, with locals and visitors leaping to reggae beats,
especially at sunset—a spectacle drawing hundreds daily.
Fish Fries:
Weekly gatherings on Seven Mile Beach feature grills smoking with catch,
music, and dancing, a communal rite tying Negril to its roots.
Reggae
Marathon: Held annually in December (launched 2000), this international
event blends running with live reggae along Norman Manley Boulevard,
uniting locals and tourists in a festive race.
Religious life
centers on small churches—Pentecostal and Baptist services echo with
Patois hymns—while Rastafarianism thrives among fishermen and artisans,
evident in dreadlocks, Ital food (vegan, salt-free), and “Jah bless”
greetings. Weddings and funerals often spill into beach celebrations,
with rum and jerk sustaining the mood, a testament to Negril’s communal
spirit.
Negril’s culture thrives on its small-town intimacy, despite
tourism’s swell. Fishermen, the town’s backbone, rise at dawn to haul
snapper and lobster, selling to vendors or resorts, while women run food
stalls or craft shops—straw hats, beaded jewelry—along the beach.
Tourism employs over 60% of locals—hotel staff, guides, drivers—yet
fishing and farming (coconuts, yams) persist, a dual economy reflecting
resilience. The population, predominantly African-descended, includes
expatriates and seasonal workers, creating a melting pot where “Negril
nice” is a shared ethos.
The hippie influx of the 1960s left a
legacy of tolerance—nude sunbathing, once common, still lingers at
Hedonism II, and ganja culture, though regulated, wafts through the air.
Locals are welcoming yet protective, balancing tourist influx with
community pride, evident in their defense of the Morass against
overdevelopment. Social life orbits beach bars, cliff dives, and market
days, where Patois banter and laughter knit the town together.
Negril, Jamaica, located on the western tip of the island across Westmoreland and Hanover parishes, boasts an economy deeply rooted in its coastal geography and historical evolution from a fishing village to a premier tourism destination. As of April 10, 2025, Negril’s economic landscape is predominantly driven by tourism, which serves as the backbone of its prosperity, supplemented by smaller-scale fishing, agriculture, and emerging sectors like real estate and eco-tourism. With a local population of approximately 6,000–7,000, swelled by seasonal workers and an influx of visitors numbering 300,000–400,000 annually in recent years, Negril contributes significantly to Jamaica’s national economy, particularly through foreign exchange earnings and employment.
Negril’s economy is a microcosm of Jamaica’s broader economic profile, heavily reliant on services, with tourism accounting for the lion’s share of activity. While precise GDP figures for Negril alone are not isolated in national statistics, Jamaica’s nominal GDP reached $19.4 billion USD in 2023 (World Bank data), with tourism contributing nearly 30% nationally—around $5.8 billion USD. Negril, hosting approximately 25% of Jamaica’s hotel rooms (per research from MDPI), likely generates 5–7% of this tourism revenue, translating to an estimated $290–$406 million USD annually in direct economic impact. This figure aligns with its status as one of Jamaica’s “Big Three” resort areas alongside Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The town’s economic growth mirrors Jamaica’s post-pandemic rebound—8.2% nationally in 2021 after a 10% contraction in 2020—though Negril’s smaller scale and tourism focus amplify both its booms and busts.
Tourism is Negril’s economic engine, leveraging its world-famous
Seven Mile Beach, West End cliffs, and laid-back vibe. The sector
employs over 60% of the local workforce—approximately 3,600–4,200
people—in hotels, restaurants, tour operations, and related services.
Major resorts like Sandals Negril, Couples Swept Away, Hedonism II, and
Riu Palace Tropical Bay anchor the industry, offering over 3,000 rooms
(63% of Negril’s capacity per ResearchGate), ranging from all-inclusive
luxury to boutique cliffside retreats. These establishments cater to a
mix of North American, European, and domestic visitors, with peak
seasons from December to April driving occupancy rates to 70–80% (AirROI
estimates 37% annually, skewed by off-season dips).
Revenue from
tourism includes lodging, dining, and activities—snorkeling, cliff
diving at Rick’s Café, catamaran cruises, and eco-tours to the Royal
Palm Reserve. The Negril Chamber of Commerce reports visitor spending
averaging $100–$150 USD daily, with all-inclusive packages ($200–$400
USD/night) boosting foreign exchange. The Reggae Marathon (December) and
Negril Music Festival add seasonal spikes, while establishments like
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and beach bars like Alfred’s Ocean Palace
sustain year-round activity. In 2023, Jamaica welcomed 4.1 million
visitors nationally (Jamaica Tourist Board), with Negril capturing 8–10%
of this total, underscoring its economic clout.
Fishing, Negril’s historical backbone, remains a small but vital sector, employing 5–10% of locals (300–600 people). Fishermen in Long Bay and Bloody Bay harvest snapper, lobster, and kingfish, supplying local eateries and resorts like Cosmo’s and Pushcart. Annual catches are modest—estimated at 100–200 tons—generating $1–$2 million USD locally, dwarfed by tourism but essential for community sustenance. The Negril Marine Park, established in 1998, regulates fishing to protect reefs, limiting scale but ensuring sustainability.
Agriculture plays a minor role, with 5–10% of residents (300–600) growing coconuts, bananas, and yams on small plots near the Negril Hills or Morass edges. These crops support local markets and roadside vendors, contributing $0.5–$1 million USD annually. Craft vendors along Seven Mile Beach—selling straw hats, wood carvings, and jewelry—add another $0.5–$1 million USD, a niche trade boosted by tourism but sensitive to visitor numbers.
Real estate has surged since the 2000s, with luxury villas, condos, and Airbnb listings (124 active in 2025 per AirROI) catering to expatriates and investors. Average annual Airbnb revenue is $16,756 USD per property, totaling $2–$3 million USD for the sector, driven by demand for beachfront and cliffside homes. Eco-tourism, centered on the Royal Palm Reserve, generates smaller revenue—$0.1–$0.5 million USD from entry fees and tours—but grows as environmental awareness rises.
Negril’s labor force, roughly 4,000–5,000 adults (60–70% of
residents), is tourism-centric:
Hospitality: 50–60% (2,000–3,000)
work in hotels, bars, and restaurants, from maids to managers, earning
$10,000–$50,000 JMD monthly ($64–$320 USD).
Tourism Services: 10–15%
(400–750) are guides, drivers, and water sports operators, averaging
$15,000–$40,000 JMD ($96–$256 USD).
Fishing and Agriculture: 10–15%
(400–750) sustain traditional livelihoods, with incomes of
$10,000–$20,000 JMD ($64–$128 USD).
Informal Sector: 10–15% (400–750)
hawk goods or services, often earning below $10,000 JMD monthly.
Unemployment hovers at 7–10% (280–500), lower than Jamaica’s 9.3% decade
average (FocusEconomics), thanks to tourism’s labor demand, though
seasonal dips spike joblessness in May–November.
Median household income in Negril ranges from $15,000–$25,000 JMD monthly ($96–$160 USD), below Jamaica’s urban average ($30,000 JMD), reflecting reliance on low-wage tourism jobs. Resort managers and property owners earn $50,000–$100,000 JMD ($320–$640 USD), while fishermen and vendors scrape by on $10,000–$15,000 JMD. Poverty affects 15–20% (900–1,400), concentrated in inland areas like Sheffield, mitigated by remittances—15% of Jamaica’s $3 billion USD total ($450 million USD) flows to the west. Tourism’s wealth concentrates in resort zones, leaving traditional sectors lagging, a disparity visible in Long Bay’s luxury hotels versus West End’s modest shacks.
Transportation: The A1 highway connects Negril to Montego Bay
(1.5-hour drive), with taxis ($50–$80 USD) and route taxis (200–300 JMD)
serving tourists and locals. The Negril Aerodrome handles private
flights, enhancing accessibility.
Utilities: Electricity and piped
water, expanded since the 1970s, support resorts, though rural areas
rely on wells and generators.
Tourism Facilities: Over 3,000 hotel
rooms, beach bars, and the Errol Flynn Marina (planned expansion)
underpin the visitor economy.
Natural Disasters: Hurricanes like Beryl (July 2024) cost $67 million
USD nationally (World Bank), eroding beaches and closing resorts
temporarily, with Negril losing weeks of revenue.
Environmental
Degradation: Reef bleaching and Morass pollution from tourism runoff
threaten fishing and eco-tourism, with beach erosion averaging 23.4
meters since 1968 (MDPI).
Economic Dependence: Over-reliance on
tourism (70–80% of income) leaves Negril vulnerable to global downturns,
as seen in the 2020 COVID-19 slump.
Infrastructure Gaps: Poor roads
beyond the A1 and limited public transport hinder local commerce and
access to the Morass.
Post-2020 recovery saw Negril’s tourism rebound, with 2023 visitor numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels (Jamaica Tourist Board). Airbnb data (AirROI) shows a 43% occupancy rate in 2024–2025, up from 37%, with $2,312 USD average monthly revenue, signaling growth. Real estate booms with villa developments, while eco-tourism gains traction—Royal Palm Reserve visits rose 10–15% since 2023. However, Hurricane Beryl’s 2024 impact dented agriculture and tourism, with recovery ongoing. Future growth hinges on sustainable tourism, reef restoration, and infrastructure upgrades like the stalled Negril market project, aiming for a $300–$500 million USD economy by 2030 if trends hold.